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[[File:Werkstatt von Lucas Cranach d.Ä. - Porträt des Philip Melanchton.jpg|thumb|Philipp Melanchthon]]

[[File:Werkstatt von Lucas Cranach d.Ä. - Porträt des Philip Melanchton.jpg|thumb|Philipp Melanchthon]]

'''Philipp Melanchthon''' (1497-1560) was a German reformer, collaborator with [[Martin Luther]], the first systematic theologian of the [[Protestantism|Protestant]]Reformation, and an influential designer of educational systems.  He stands next to Luther and Calvin as a reformer, theologian, and molder of Protestantism.  As much as Luther, he is the primary founder of [[Lutheranism]].  They both denounced what they saw as the exaggerated cult of the saints, the idolatrous adoration of the Host, and the coercion of the conscience in the sacrament of penance that nevertheless could not offer certainty of salvation.

'''Philipp Melanchthon''' (1497-1560) was a German reformer, collaborator with [[Martin Luther]], the first systematic theologian of the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] Reformation, and an influential designer of educational systems.  He stands next to Luther and Calvin as a reformer, theologian, and molder of Protestantism.  As much as Luther, he is the primary founder of [[Lutheranism]].  They both denounced what they saw as the exaggerated cult of the saints, the idolatrous adoration of the Host, and the coercion of the conscience in the sacrament of penance that nevertheless could not offer certainty of salvation.

Melanchthon made the distinction between law and gospel the central formula for Lutheran evangelical insight. The "law" meant the Papacy and rigid rituals controlled by priests; the "gospel" meant an individual directly confronting Christ through Bible reading, hymns and prayer.

Melanchthon made the distinction between law and gospel the central formula for Lutheran evangelical insight. The "law" meant the Papacy and rigid rituals controlled by priests; the "gospel" meant an individual directly confronting Christ through Bible reading, hymns and prayer.

==Career==

==Career==

He was born Philipp Schwartzerd (of which "Melanchthon" is a Greek translation) at Bretten on Feb. 16, 1497. Under the guidance of his great-uncle, John Reuchlin, humanist and Hebraist, Melanchthon was very well educated the [[University of Heidelberg]] and at [[Tübingen University]], where he began teaching. Besides extensive classical studies including Plato and Aristotle, he studied Rudolph Agricola, William of Ockham, John Wessel, and Scripture. Before contact with Luther he had seriously questioned scholastic theology and ecclesiastical morality.

He was born Philipp Schwartzerd (of which "Melanchthon" is a Greek translation) at Bretten on Feb. 16, 1497. Under the guidance of his great-uncle, John Reuchlin, humanist and Hebraist, Melanchthon was very well educated the [[University of Heidelberg]] and at [[Tübingen University]], where he began teaching. Besides extensive classical studies including Plato and Aristotle, he studied Rudolph Agricola, William of Ockham, John Wessel, and Scripture. Before contact with Luther he had seriously questioned scholastic theology and ecclesiastical morality.