Johann Jakob Grynaeus

Johann Jakob Grynaeus ( born October 1, 1540 in Bern, † August 30 1617 in Basel) was a Swiss theologian and Antistes at Basler Munster.

Life

Johann Jakob Grynaeus was born in 1540 as son of Thomas Grynaeus and Adelheid Steuber in Bern. At age 19, he was ordained by Simon Sulzer in Hauingen. There, he assisted his father, who was then pastor of the Evangelical Church in Rötteln. In 1569 he married his wife Anna Polybia, a foster daughter of Thomas Erastus. From 1563 to 1565 he continued his studies in theology at Tübingen and received his doctorate there. After the death of his father, he was from 1565 to 1575 superintendent in Rötteln. 1575 he became professor of the Old Testament at the University of Basel. His father Erastus was a professor of medicine in Heidelberg and committed opponent of the Lutheran doctrine of the Eucharist. His influence led Johann Grynaeus on the side of the Reformed and he introduced himself in 1577 against the Formula of Concord. 1584 he was appointed by the Count Palatine Johann Casimir to the University of Heidelberg and taught there for two years of theology and history.

After the death of Sulzer Grynaeus was in 1586, his successor as Antistes at Basler Munster. This office, which was once connected to a professorship at the University, he held until his death. Three times (1590, 1596 and 1603 ) held the Grynaeus as rector of the university. During his tenure, he formed the Church in Basel to an authoritarian state church. For this reason, he expanded the Basel Confession of 1534 a comprehensive and strictly controlled church order. His work in Basel also included the renovation of the school system and the introduction of teaching children. Johann Jakob Grynaeus became blind in 1612, but continued to hold sermons and lectures. He was buried in the cloister of Basel Cathedral.

Johann Jakob Grynaeus was a nephew of Simon Grynaeus.