Veit Dietrich
Veit Dietrich (also Vitus Vitus Theodorus or Diterichus; * December 8, 1506 in Nuremberg, † March 25, 1549 ) was a German theologian, writer and reformer.
Life and work
Dietrich was born the son of a shoemaker in Nuremberg. Soon the boy's talent was recognized and wealthy patrons allowed him to attend high school and the University of Wittenberg. In March 1522 he was enrolled in Wittenberg. Philipp Melanchthon recognized the gift that student and encouraged him.
Later, he was Martin Luther's housemate and close confidant. As such, he accompanied Luther to the Marburg Colloquy and stayed with him during the Diet of Augsburg in 1530 at the Fortress of Coburg. He enjoyed Luther's full confidence. That's why he was nearly put by others, such as, like used for example by Melanchthon, Luther their concerns.
When he 1529 earned the degree of Master of Arts, he taught at the faculty of arts. Disputes with Katharina von Bora prompted him to leave Wittenberg in 1535. Melanchthon recommended him Joachim Camerarius the Elder at the University of Tübingen. However, his Nuremberg conveyor came to meet him and offered him the Sebalduskirche to a pastorate, where he enjoyed special confidence in the Council. Here he married and worked as a popular preacher. When he was offered a professorship in Wittenberg, he refused this.
With Melanchthon, he remained in familiar intercourse and this stopped him at times to limit his violent polemics. His style was simple, soft-spoken and determined. His work is focused in addition to its devotional effectiveness first to the publication of Luther's interpretations and some tracts of Melanchthon. And, the publication of Luther's Piety we owe him. Farthest after 1544 was spreading his " Summaria ", first on the Old Testament, then on the New Testament. This book has served until the 19th century as a devotional book in many communities. Its advantages are simplicity and didacticism.
In his straight and open manner Dietrich said what the hour required, and strengthened the weak links in the contested neighboring communities. At the Convention in Schmalkalden he represented his native town in 1537, as the " Smalcald Articles " were published. He also took part in the Colloquy of Regensburg 1546. Especially in the development of the ecclesiastical order, he has proven itself. Also known as a preacher, he is no less important because as an organizer. Besides sermons, he also published current pamphlets. Finally, he was also known by writing hymns.
After the defeat of the Protestants in the Smalcald War, he was certainly its size. He leaned forward and not openly objected the Augsburg Interim, also called others on the confession. That made him politically suspect, then he withdrew the Council 's trust and was in 1547 after his suspension.
1548 hosted Veit Dietrich short time the " Luther of Slovenia ", Primus Truber, who had been excommunicated by the bishop of Ljubljana as a Lutheran theologian recently. Dietrich mediated Truber a preacher in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. A lifting of his suspension has not experienced Dietrich. He died at the age of only 42 years in Nuremberg.
Selections
- Luther's Piety
- " Summaria " on the Old Testament
- " Summaria " on the New Testament
Remembrance
March 24 in the Protestant calendar name.