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'''Martin Bucer''' (November 11, 1491–February 28, 1551) was a [[Protestant Reformation|Protestant Reformer]] and scholar who is best known for reconciling differing Reform groups and contributing to the development of various Protestant traditions.
'''Martin Bucer''' (November 11, 1491–February 28, 1551) was a [[Protestant Reformation|Protestant Reformer]] and scholar who is best known for reconciling differing Reform groups and contributing to the development of various Protestant traditions.
While Bucer is not well known in comparison to other major Reformers, he is arguably one of the most influential of them.<ref name="Reformation500"/> He played a large and positive role in the spreading Reformation across Europe despite the many compromises he made during his career in an attempt to unite Christians across Europe.<ref name="Reformation500"/>
==Early life==
==Early life==
Bucer also attempted to reunited Roman Catholics and Protestants. He participated in colloquies between the two in [[Worms]] in 1540 and [[Regensburg]] in 1541.<ref name="Reformation500"/><ref name="Britannica"/> In the latter colloquy, Bucer co-wrote the Regensburg Book with [[Johannes Gropper]], a Roman Catholic theologian.<ref name="Reformation500"/> The book was a compromise between Roman Catholicism and Protestant Christanity.<ref name="Reformation500"/> After [[Holy Roman Emperor]] [[Charles V of Spain|Charles V]] used the book in his attempt to unite the two, Bucer rejected claims that he was trying to do likewise.<ref name="Britannica"/> The book was rejected by both sides, and the attempt at unification failed.<ref name="Britannica"/>
Bucer also attempted to reunited Roman Catholics and Protestants. He participated in colloquies between the two in [[Worms]] in 1540 and [[Regensburg]] in 1541.<ref name="Reformation500"/><ref name="Britannica"/> In the latter colloquy, Bucer co-wrote the Regensburg Book with [[Johannes Gropper]], a Roman Catholic theologian.<ref name="Reformation500"/> The book was a compromise between Roman Catholicism and Protestant Christanity.<ref name="Reformation500"/> After [[Holy Roman Emperor]] [[Charles V of Spain|Charles V]] used the book in his attempt to unite the two, Bucer rejected claims that he was trying to do likewise.<ref name="Britannica"/> The book was rejected by both sides, and the attempt at unification failed.<ref name="Britannica"/>
Bucer unsuccessfully attempted to reform the diocese of [[Bonn]] in 1543, under invitation by the archbishop of Cologne.<ref name="Reformation500"/> The efforts failed due to the opposition of Gropper, who co-wrote the Regensburg Book with him.<ref name="Reformation500"/> In 1548, when Charles V tried to force Protestants to return to the Roman Catholic religion under the [[Augsburg Interim]], with terms similar to the Regensburg compromise, Bucer helped lead the effort against the plan.<ref name="Reformation500"/><ref name="Britannica"/> His efforts were unsuccessful, and after the attempt was approved by Bucer's former Protestant ally [[Johannes Sturm]], Bucer was forced to leave Strasbourg.<ref name="Reformation500"/>
Bucer unsuccessfully attempted to reform the diocese of [[Bonn]] in 1543, under invitation by the archbishop of Cologne.<ref name="Reformation500"/> The efforts failed due to the opposition of Gropper, who co-wrote the Regensburg Book with him.<ref name="Reformation500"/> In 1548, when Charles V tried to force Protestants to return to the Roman Catholic religion under the [[Augsburg Interim]], with terms similar to the Regensburg compromise, Bucer helped lead the effort against the plan, as he thought it "would be a step backward" from Protestant theology.<ref name="Britannica"/> His efforts were unsuccessful, and after the attempt was approved by Bucer's former Protestant ally [[Johannes Sturm]], Bucer was forced to leave Strasbourg.<ref name="Reformation500"/>
Bucer's attempts at agreement involved ambiguous wording and many large and unnecessary compromises, especially with the unbiblical theology of the Roman Catholic Church.<ref name="Reformation500"/><ref name="Britannica"/> However, he still must be commended for his role in spreading the Reformation; his attempts at creating unity among Christians, especially between the various Protestant factions; as well as opposing other unbiblical compromises such as the Augsburg Interim.<ref name="Reformation500"/>
Bucer's attempts at agreement involved ambiguous wording and many large and unnecessary compromises, especially with the unbiblical theology of the Roman Catholic Church.<ref name="Reformation500"/><ref name="Britannica"/> However, he still must be commended for his role in spreading the Reformation; his attempts at creating unity among Christians, especially between the various Protestant factions; as well as opposing other unbiblical compromises such as the Augsburg Interim.<ref name="Reformation500"/>
==Exile in England==
After being exiled from Strasbourg, Bucer and the other Protestant leaders were invited by [[Thomas Cranmer]] to England in 1549.<ref name="Britannica"/> Bucer played a large role in the English Reformation, supporting the more cautious Reformers like Cranmer as opposed to the more radial Reformers like [[John Knox]].<ref name="Britannica"/> Despite this, Bucer continued to mediate between the two sides, playing a large role in the content of ''The Second Prayer Book of Edward VI'', which was completed in 1552.<ref name="Britannica"/>
Soon after writing ''De Regno Christi'', his most important work, which explained his plans for reforming the English church and government and was favorably received by King [[Edward VI]], Bucer became ill and died on February 28, 1551.<ref name="Britannica"/>
==References==
==References==