CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL MONTHLY

Luther and the Principle: Outside of the Use There Is No Sacrament Fn\\T A RD F. PETERS

The .Meaning of Advent: Implications for Preaching FRANK C. SENN

Adolf Stoecker: A Christian Socialist Advocate of the "Free Folk Church" RONALD L. MASSANARI

The Reformation as a Youth Movement JOHN W. CONSTABLE

Homiletics

Book Review

Vol. XLII November Number 10 The Reformation as a Youth Movement

J OHN W. C ONSTABLE The author is chairman of the Department of Historical Theology and associate professor in that department at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. n our day there has been a growing in­ The parallels between then, the period I terest in the factors that bring about of the Reformation, and now are striking: change in society. Theodore Roszak calls changing social patterns brought on by a attention to the phenomenon of a growing growing money economy, a movement that new "counter culmre": grew out of the university experience of How shall we characterize the counter cul­ the reformers, a period of more time for ture they are in the way of haphazardly as­ thought, young people that were beginning sembling? Clearly one cannot answer the to criticize the society in which they found question by producing a manifesto unani­ themselves, and an establishment against mously endorsed by the malcontented which many were directing their darts of younger generation : the counter culture is opposition. scarcely so disciplined a movement. It is something in the nature of a medieval cru­ The new century of the period of reform sade : a variegated procession constantly in brought some very rapid changes into the flux, acquiring and losing members all late medieval world. The emergence of along the route of march. Often enough it modern states with stronger rulers gave finds its own identity in a nebulous symbol evidence that there were changes afoot. or song that seems to proclaim little more The rise of a newly organized and rapidly than "we are special . . . we are different growing class of wealthy men with both . . . we are outward-bound from the old time and money to spend on new ideas was corruptions of the world." Some join the symbolic of changes yet to be seen. The troop only for a brief while, long enough to enter an obvious and immediate strug­ children of these men of growing means gle: a campus rebellion, an act of war-re­ were to become some of the significant sistance, a demonstration against racial in­ leaders of the new movement. Many of justice. Some may do no more than flour­ this newer generation found themselves in ish a tiny banner against the inhumanities the expanding universities on the continent of the technocracy; perhaps they pin on a of Europe. The university movement was button declaring "I am a human being: do the source of many of the new ideas that not mutilate, spindle, or tear." Others, hav­ permeated the changing society. The rise ing cut themselves off hopelessly from so­ cial acceptance, have no option but to fol­ of criticism of both society and the church low the road until they reach the Holy began to find expression in the works of City. No piecemeal reforms or minor ad­ those educated in the church schools. justments of what they leave behind would There was, above all, a monolithic societal make turning back possible for them.1 ter Culture (Garden City, N. Y. : Anchor, 1968), 1 Theodore Roszak, The Making of a Cotln- pp. 48-49. 671 672 THE REFORMATION AS A YOUTH MOVEMENT structure, the church, against which the Small Catechism of 1529. He wrote to the criticism could well direct itself in such city councilmen: formative days. Harold Grimm has di­ If children were instructed and trained in rected attention to these significant changes schools or elsewhere where there were in the early days of the 16th century in a learned and well-trained schoolmasters and very direct manner.2 schoolmistresses to teach the languages, the other arts, and history, they would hear Given the fact that many of the changes the happenings and sayings of all the that were taking place in the beginning of world and learn how it fared with various the 16th century are analogous to those cities, estates, kingdoms, princes, men, and pressing us today, one is forced to examine women; thus they could in a short time set them to see not only their roots but also before themselves, as in a mirror, the char­ the consequences for the history of the acter, life, counsels and purposes, success W estern world. and failure of the whole world from the The leadership in the movement of the beginning. As a result of this knowledge, 16th century_w hich we have chosen to call they could form their own opinions and adapt themselves to the course of this out­ the Reformation was in the hands of a ward life in the fear of God, draw from change-minded group of rebellious youth, history the knowledge and understanding or "young Turks." Over the space of nearly of what should be sought and what four and a half centuries this fact has often av u~ cled in this outward life, and become eluded us. In the sense that this century able <;lso by this standard to assist and di­ could have maintained a revolt of any kind, rect others.3 it was a dramatic change brought about by Many of Luther's opponents in the ec­ both young theologians and youthful lay­ clesiastical establishment were comfortably men. The history of the western world has on the other side of 30. Leo X (1475 to often colored them older than they were, 1521) was 46 when he announced the ex­ while their own contemporaries more often communication of the German priest. His despised their youth. successor, Clement VII, showed little in­ The "Young Luther" school has for years clination to do anything .about the spread stressed the importance of the formative of the Lutheran ideas and his age at his years upon the reformer of W ittenberg. death (56) put him in line with the older Much of Luther's significant work was pro­ men of his day. Paul III (1468-1549) duced in the years before 1521, when he ascended to the papal throne in his 66th was 38. Those who participated in the year. He did depend, however, on the ef­ Reformation were often members of the forrs of the young Lainez and Salmeron at "under thirty generation." the Council of Trent after 1545. After Luther's relative youth may in part ac­ 3 To the Councilmen 0/ All Cities in Ger­ count for his strong interest in the educa­ many that They Establish and Maintain Chris­ tion of children. One of his most influen­ tian Schools, Martin Luther, Works of Martin Luther, Lenker Edition, IV (Philadelphia: tial works was dedicated to youth - the United Lutheran Publishing House, 1915 to 1932), 106-7. See Luther's Works, American 2 Harold Grimm, The Reformation Era Edition, 45 (Philadelphia: Muhlenberg Press, (New York: Macmillan, 1965), Chap. 1. 1962), 368-69. THE REFORMATION AS A YOUTH MOVEMENT 673

several aged and interim popes, the scepter might, their wiles were not able to make fell to Paul IV (1476-1559) , who had him move an inch from his propositions. some early reform experience while he was His sweetness in answering is remarkable, a member of the Oratory of Divine Love. his patience in listening is incomparable, in his explanations you would recognize The pope who closed the age of reform the acumen of Paul, not of Scotus, his and also the Council of Trent, Pius IV answers, so brief, so wise, and drawn from (1499-1565), was in his 60s while en­ the Holy Scriptures, easily made all his gaged in reestablishing the Roman Church hearers his admirers.5 in Europe. There were exceptions in the In 1519, Luther and the new university leadership of the church. Albert of Mainz at Wittenberg became the center for the (1490-1545) was only 23 when he be­ expanding Reformation. Both seemed to came archbishop in 1513. attract a growing number of the budding On the Third Sunday After Easter, theologians from Germany and many other April 25, 1518, the 35-year-old Martin Lu­ parts of Europe. The 22-year-old Melanch­ ther appeared at the Heidelberg meeting thon had already arrived the year before. of the Augustinian chapter to consider the He had successfully completed the master 28 theological and 12 philosophical theses of arts program at Tiibingen after he had presented for dispute. Luther impressed a met the reql1irements fo he b chelor of la gc n be: of the younger men. Marrin arts at Heidelberg at the age of 15. The Bucer, one of those present, wrote to M. A. had been "denied shortly thereafter Beatus Rhenanus at Basle: (by Heidelberg ) because of his youthful I will oppose to you a certain theologian, appearance." 6 This youthful companion not, indeed, one of our number, but one who has been heard by us in the last few of Luther issued the first edition of his days, one who has got so far away from Loci in 1521 at the age of 25. the bonds of the sophists and the trifling W hen it became evident that the elector of Aristotle, one who is so devoted to the of Saxony would protect Luther and when Bible, and is so suspicious of antiquated the pope felt that the elector should not theologians of our school .. . that he ap­ be alienated in view of the coming election pears to be diametrically opposed to our of a new elector of the H oly Roman em­ teachers. . . . He is Martin Luther, that abuser of indulgences, on which we have peror, the pope sent several people to try relied too much.4 to deal with the problems in Saxony that were related to the reform movement. In Others, too, among the young theolo­ his attempts to maintain the political and gians, including John Brenz, Theobald Dil­ lichanus, and Erhard Schnepf, must have military support of the elector of Saxony, sought Luther's company, for Bucer con­ the pope employed 28-year-old Charles von tinues: Miltitz (1490-1529) as his envoy. To return to Martin Luther: although our Luther here met the 50-year-old Cajetan, chief men refuted him with all their 5 Ibid. 4 Preserved Smith, Luther's Correspondence 6 K. G. Bretschneider et aI., Corpus Re­ I (Philadelphia: The Lutheran Publication So~ jormatorum, I (Berlin and Leipzig: C. A. ciety, 1913),57. Schwetschke, 1834 ff.), clvi. 674 THE REFORMATION AS A YOUTH MOVEMENT the papal legate, who as an older repre­ was no match for the wily Eck. The dis­ sentative of the church establishment tried putation then continued between Luther to adjudicate the matter in spite of the and Eck. fact that Luther had been declared a no­ In addition to Carlstadt there were a torious heretic by the pope himself. The number of young men present at Leipzig cardinal was cagey enough to try to win to support the German reformer. John over Luther and thus his protector, the elec­ Agricola (1499-1566), an early friend tor, lest the vote of the Saxon be com­ of Luther, was an auditor at the meetings. mitted against the papal candidate for em­ The duke of Pomerania, Barnim XI (1501 peror. Von Miltitz came to negotiate with to 1573), who later was the instrument for Martin Luther in 1518 and to bring the bringing the reform movement to his own coveted Golden Rose for Frederick of Sax­ areas through Bugenhagen, was an I8-year­ ony. This meeting of youthful Germans old guest at the debate from the lay side of took place in SJalatin's home at Lochau the church. Among the clerical friends of Jan. 4-6, 1519. Luther agreed to submit luther was Caspar Cruciger (1504-1548), himself to the pope, and apparently a rec­ present at the tender age of 15. This man, onciliation had been effected. The pope, who later became professor of theology and however, did not receive a true picture of preaching at Wittenberg, has been called the situ"tinn ",'ile aged ern.!,'prn r , ;\faximil- n~!k'; J ~ungest atJ.~ .. J.~~'.H. precociOL../' '7 v~ ,. ~d a we~ 1. and the _•. , -- 1 the folk " __ ~ _ the Germ mation. hanged aL Numbei' among tl ners at The election of the new emperor was this confrontation was Gee - hau (1488 completed on June 28, 1519, and the Span­ to 1548), the 31-year-old cantor of the ish king, Charles I, began his rule after be­ church of St. Thomas in Leipzig, who had ing crowned at Aachen in 1520. He was been graduated from the university in the only 19 at this time. As the grandson of previous year. After he joined the Lutheran Ferdinand and Isabella he followed in the cause he wrote music for the new church rootsteps of "the most noly and CatnollC movement. emperors" of the Spanish line. Not everyone who came to Leipzig Another opponent of Luther was John could be listed with the youthful corps, Maier of Eck (1486-1543). He had re­ however. John Lang (1480-1548), an ceived his doctor of divinity degree at the early friend of Martin Luther who had age of 24 and spent the remainder of his been with him the previous year at Heidel­ life as a professor at Ingolstadt. His dislike berg and who was destined to help him of Luther showed itself quite early in his with both Hebrew and Greek, was 39 years attacks on the theses of 1517. At leipzig old. The meeting was called by 48-year-old in 1519 this 33-year-old leader of the papal Duke George of Albertine Saxony (1471 position challenged Andrew Bodenstein of to 1539), who was not at all sympathetic Carlstadt (1480-1541) to debate propo­ to the lutheran cause. Frederick the Wise sitions they had both submitted which were based on Luther's theses. Carlstadt, 7 Walter G. Tillmanns, The World and Men Around Luther (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1959), who was 39 and a professor at Wittenberg, p.94. THE REFORMATION AS A YOUTH MOVEMENT

(1463-1525), elector of Ernestine Sax­ bility in 1520 and who remained a staunch ony and protector of the teacher from his supporter of Luther in many times of con­ W ittenberg University, likewise could not troversy. have qualified as a young man. The leaders of both parties at the diet After the debate failed to settle the were older men: Spalatin (1484-1545) ; problems in the church, the lines were Contarini (1483-1542); Capito (1472 to more sharply drawn between Luther and 1541). But youth was also represented. the papal party. Eck departed to convince Luther had brought with him Petzen­ the pope that Luther was a heretic and steiner, probably a young monk, as his should be condemned. Leo's bull Exsurge road companion, and also Peder von domine was burned by Martin Luther at Swaven (1496-1551), a young Danish the Ulster Gate on Dec. 10, 1520, along smdent who was later to playa major role with a number of other works including in the reformatory work of the Danish Gratian's Decretals. In that year Luther church under Christian II. Among those also published his three great tracts. That who gathered to hear the fateful words of he had not yet felt himself to be outside Luther at Worms was Philip of H esse, who the Roman Church can be shown by his was 17 years old. Freedom of a Chrisian Man, which was Luther left Worms before the imperial dedicated to the pope himself. edict against him was promulgated by Meanwhile, Charles V as the newly Charles. He was spirited off by some of crowned emperor was ready to meet the his friends to the Wartburg Castle near problems of the reform movement in Ger­ Eisenach. W hile he was hiding there and man lands. The pope had completed his working on his translation of the New condemnation of Luther with the bull Testament, the scene in W ittenberg was Decet pontificem 1'omanum on Jan. 3, changing severely and the riots of the 1521. The 21-year-old emperor, needing iconoclasts were causing several radical de­ to meet with the German estates, called velopments to occur. In the latter days of for a diet at Worms and cited Luther to the year three men had come to Witten­ appear. In spite of the counsel of his berg who are often called the "Zwickau friends who were concerned for his life prophets," Thomas Drechsel, Mark Stiib­ after the bull of condemnation, Luther ner, and Nicholas Storch. was elated, since he had earlier called for The 25-year-old Melanchthon did not a meeting before the German estates to know what to do about them. They made consider religious matters in the German a more favorable impression on 22-year-old areas. Martin Cellarius (1499-1564), who was The papal nuncio sent to Worms to meet moved by their argument. He later left the the religious problems created by the Lu­ side of Luther and mrned to a moderate theran cause was the 41-year-old Aleander form of Anabaptism because of his views (1480-1542). Luther, now 38 himself, on the baptism of children. chose as his companion Nicholas von Ams­ In the early months of the following dorf (1483-1565), to whom Luther had year Luther preached a series of eight ser­ dedicated his Address to the Christian No- mons in which he attempted to restore both 676 THE REFORMATION AS A YOUTH MOVEMENT religious and political order to the town of Basel in 1523. His work on the sacra­ and university. Carlstadt was alienated by ment, Wahre und achte Erklarung der Luther's action and left to join the follow­ W orte des Herrn: das ist mein Leib, had ers of Ulrich Zwingli, stopping for a short supported Zwingli's position and had ir­ time at Strassburg before eventually be­ ritated the Lutherans. coming a professor at the University of Luther counted on men like Andrew Basel until his death. Osiander (1498-1552), who is known By 1525 it was clear that a serious prob­ primarily for the controversy over justifica­ lem over the Lord's Supper was developing tion that bears his name. Caspar Cruciger, between Luther and Zwingli. A written 25-years-old, also stood staunchly by the work by Cornelius Hoen (or Honius), a side of Luther. John Brenz, one of the very Dutch physician, had been circulating early young followers of the German re­ among both Lutheran and Reformed former was at Marburg too. Though only churches. It opted for a spiritual interpre­ 30, he was already a veteran in the struggle tation of Christ's presence in the sacrament over the sacrament. In 1526-at the age against Luther's view of the real presence of 27 -he had produced his Syngramma of H is body and blood in the sacrament. Suevicum on the sacrament, a work which Philip of Hesse, who was then 25 years Luther regarded so highly that he wrote an old, urged Luther and Zwingli to resolve .iu ro dUCl~ Oil to the subsequent German the problem before it would split the move­ version of it.8 Brenz, who was destined to ment of reform in the church. Forty-year­ become the dynamic and controversial old Jacob Sturm (1489-1553) is usually leader of southwestern Germany, supported credited with the suggestion that both Lu­ his mentor at Marburg and after he rose to ther and Zwingli meet at Marburg in 1529. power in W iirttemberg in 1534 in his 35th At this meeting it became evident that age year. was beginning to creep up on the move­ Charles V had been reconciled with Cle­ ment and that the number of younger men ment VII and had been crowned by him at being attracted was growing smaller. Lead­ Bologna in February 1530. He returned to ers were older and more fixed in their posi­ Germany for the fust time in almost 10 tions. Luther had become intractable in his years. It was evident to the emperor that position, and Zwingli was likewise fum. the cause of reform was divided. He had One of those supporting Zwingli along left the administration of the German area with Sturm was Ambrosius Blaurer (1492 in the hands of his brother, Ferdinand to 1564), 31 years old and later destined to (1503-1564), who was only 19 years old carry out several Zwinglian reforms in when he inherited the task of dealing with southwestern Germany. He and Erhard the religious problems in that part of the Schnepf (1495-1558) were the early re­ empire. Ferdinand had had no success in formers of Wurttemberg when Ulrich was resolving the religious problems. recalled as duke in 1534. The Diet of Augsburg was called for the The Swiss reformer was supported also by John Oecolampadius (1482-1531), 8 Johann George Walch, ed., Dr. Martin Luther's Sammtliche Schrijten, XX (St. Louis: who had already brought about the reform Concordia, 1881-1910), 521-81. THE REFORMATION AS A YOUTH MOVEMENT 677 spring of 1530. Charles, now 30, presided. rich Bullinger (1504-1575), his 27-year­ The Roman position was represented by old son-in-law, succeeded him as leader of Eck and the cardinal legate, Lawrence Cam­ the reform efforts in Switzerland. In 1549 peggio (1474-1539). Brenz, 31 at this he joined the surviving Zwinglian church time, found himself counselor to Melanch­ with that of John Calvin in the Consensus thon. Chancellor George Brueck (1483 to Tigurinus. 1557) was the more renowned member of Y outhfu1leaders were also found in the the delegation. He had been at Worms in radical wing of the Reformation. In some 1521 and held a position of greater respect cases they represented the inheritance of than the younger theologians, since he had the Zwickau prophets and in others they been a law professor at Wittenberg. It was demonstrated an entirely new area of dis­ he who wrote the introduction to the Augs­ sent from the Establishment. They were burg Confession and read it publicly before dissenters not only from Rome but also the emperor. from Lutheran and Calvinistic positions. In the year that Luther posted his theses These figures represented, perhaps more a movement called the Oratory of Divine than the others, those types that Roszak Love came into existence when about 50 characterizes as Italian religious and lay leaders assembled scarcely disciplined ... a variegated pro­ at Rome. Their deSIre was tor reform of cession constantly in flux, acquiring and the church under papal leadership, but their losing members all along the route of position brought some of the "members march . . . it finds its own identity in a close to the Lutheran emphasis of justifica­ nebulous symbol or song that seems to tion by faith alone." 9 Several leaders were proclaim little more than "we are special contemporaries of Luther in their early 30s ... we are different . .. we are outward­ bound from the old corruptions of the when they began their reform programs. world." 10 Jacob Sadoleto (1477-1547) and Gas­ paro Contarini (1483-1542) like Luther A number of those who became follow­ had a strong interest in advancing theology ers of Luther in their teens or early 20s through a study of the Scriptures. Other later became "radicals" or Anabaptists. Roman reformers were Giovanni Caraffa W olfgang Capito (1478-1541), who had (1476-1559) , who chose to attempt re­ been an ardent admirer of Luther and who form of the Establishment by fostering the had been active in Strassburg before Bucer Theatine Order and by establishing the came, found himself in a mediating posi­ Sommaschi and Barnabites, and Reginald tion as he attempted a reconciliation be­ Pole (1500-1558), who had been in Italy tween the rapidly disintegrating reform during the rise of these orders (1521 to positions. Sebastian Franck (1499-1543) 1527) . was one of the young men at Heidelberg When violence broke out in Switzerland, who found a strong interest in Luther's Ulrich Zwingli, both spiritual and political views. He ministered for twO years as a leader of several Swiss cities, lost his life in Lutheran pastor at Ansbach-Bayreuth 1531 at the second battle of Kappell. Hein- (1525-1528), but by 1529 was a leader

9 Grimm, p. 372. 10 See note 1 above. 678 THE REFORMATION AS A YOUTH MOVEMENT among the "spirituals" at Strassburg. Mel­ Conrad Grebel (1498-1526) was the chior Hofmann (1500-1543) cast his lot acknowledged leader of the Swiss Brethren. with the Lutheran cause at Livonia when Much of the history of his 3-year promi­ he was 23. His disillusionment with the nence in the movement is obscured by the German cause took place three years later lack of adequate records. Georg Blaurock in his dispute with Bugenhagen in Stock­ (1492-1529), a youthful supporter and holm over the Lutheran sacramental posi­ friend of Grebel, had defended Grebel's tion. At 33 he was at Strassburg attempt­ viewpoint on infant baptism before the ing to set up his "New Jerusalem," an ex­ Zurich Council and argued against the periment which ended in his being sen­ stance of Zwingli and Bullinger in 1525. tenced to life imprisonment for opposing David Joris (1501-1556) was a Dutch the Establishment. Lutheran who turned to the Anabaptist Thomas Miintzer (1490-1525) was a movement. By his 25th birthday this Lutheran pastor in Zwickau and there painter of stained-glass windows had run joined those who were dissatisfied with the into much trouble in his zeal for the Lu­ conservative nature of the Lutheran re­ theran cause. Roman Catholic authorities form. He was 30 when he had to flee fined him, whipped him, and banished him Zwickau because of his views on infant for three years. He turned from Lutheran­ baptism. After bad experiences at Prague ism to Anabaptism when a martyr called and Allstedt, he returned to Miihlhausen out to him from the stake, "Brother." 11 His in 1525 to help lead the disastrous Pea­ extravagant ecstatic claims to be the third sants' Revolt, during which he lost his life. David alienated him even from the broad At 33 Caspar von Schwenkfeld (1489 to theological positions that were current in 1561) came to Wittenberg and was im­ Strassburg. In a public burning at Basel in pressed by Luther. Like many others, he 1559 both his books and his dead body too found his path away from the W itten­ were condemned to the flames. berg position and into Strassburg. After As the years passed, those who bad been flirting for a time with the Zwinglian posi­ the rebellious youth of Germany support­ tion, he fathered his own movement and ing Luther were, like their mentor, aging. became prominent in Silesia. Some, like Gabriel Zwilling (1487-1558), In south Germany two men stood out had turned their attention against the for their Anabaptist leadership. Hans "fanatics." Zwilling was an outstanding Denck (1500-1527) had studied at In­ pulpit orator for the Lutheran cause, which golstadt and at Basel. Only 27 at the time he had joined already in 1517 at the age of his death, he had been influenced theo­ of 30. His ministry at Torgau was strongly logically by the Zwinglian ideas of Oeco­ orthodox. George Major (1502-1574), lampadius and the Anabaptist tenets of who was later involved in a controversy Miintzer. In 1523 he was an active worker over good works, had joined the faculty in Niirnberg, but eventually he was tried at W ittenberg as a friend and colleague of and banished because of his views. He Luther at 34 years of age. Another who spent the last two years of his life in Augs­ 11 Roland Bainton, The Travail of Religious burg and there succumbed to the plague. Liberty (New York: Harper, 1951), p.126. THE REFORMATION AS A YOUTH MOVEMENT 679 had come to teach Hebrew at Wittenberg prominent. The musician John Walter when he was 29 years old was Matthew (1496-1570) was only 28 years old Aurogallus (1490-1543). His help for when he produced the Wittenberg Hymnal Luther in translating and revising the Old of 1524. He made his contribution to the Testament was indispensable. Another Lutheran way by writing many hymns intimate of the Wittenberg teacher was while serving as court composer of Saxony. Frederick Myconias (1491-1546), who Two young biographers of Luther should had undergone personal spiritual struggles also be cited. Matthew Ratzeberger ( 1501 similar to Luther's. As an eloquent to 1559), a physician, had entered the uni­ preacher, he was chosen by Luther for a versity in 1516. His life of Luther was one commission to England in 1538. of the earliest to appear in print. The finest The firSt "Lutheran" pastor, ordained by Luther biographer of the 16th century was Luther himself on May 14, 1525, was John Mathesius (1504-1565), who also George Rorer (1492-1557), who at age wrote hymns. 33 was active in editing the works of the W hen one turns to the second genera­ Reformer and in conducting church visi­ tion of reformers and their movements, tations. Another young friend of Luther one is again impressed by the number of was Jerome W eller (1499-1576), who youthful men who contributed to reform was chosen as Hans Luthers tutOr. He had movements. The great leader of the SW1SS taken his master's degree at the age of 20. areas in this period, John Calvin (1509 to Among the young students of this gen­ 1564), was 19 when he came under the eration was also Justus Menius (1499 to influence of Protestant ideas in France, and 1558). He too found a home at Witten­ at 27 he published his first edition of the berg in 1519 after having spent time at Institutes. The men who stopped him in Erfurt. His ministry in the Lutheran cause Geneva in August 1536 were Guillaume was spent in Eisenach and at Gotha. Farel (1489-1565), who at 47 was con­ Rounding out this newer crop of young sidered "old;' and the 25-year-old Pierre theologians who gathered about Witten­ Viret (1511-1571) . The man who be­ berg was Vitus Dietrich (1506-1549). came the successor to Calvin was Theo­ He had come to the university town in dore Beza (1519-1605), who cast his lot 1527 at the age of 27. A frequent table with his tutor when he was 29. Both men companion of Luther, he later served the had entered the Swiss reform movement church at Niirnberg. His commentaries on after studying law at the University at the Old Testament were some of the ear­ Orleans. liest and best among the Lutheran party. It should also be remembered that Several laymen were drawn to Luther, Henry VIII (1491-1547) ascended the too, particularly men like Albert Di.irer English throne at the age of 18, was 28 (1471-1528) and Hans Sachs (1494 to when he contended for the imperial 1576). Many of them were quite young. throne, and was only 30 when he answered Hans Lufft (1495-1584), who printed Luther with his Defense of the Seven many of the Reformation writings, had Sacraments. His daughter Elizabeth be­ just reached his 30th year when he became came queen at 25 and forced the Settle- 680 THE REFORMATION AS A YOUTH MOVEMENT ment on the English nation one year later. 29 wrote a bitter satire on the church. Robert Barnes (1495-1540), an English Both men were forced to flee to Naples, Augustinian, visited VVittenberg when he where they met Ochino. Sebastian Cas­ was 33. Though he attempted to bring the tellio (1515-1563), who had met Calvin Lutheran reform to England, he finally lost at Strassburg in 1540, joined the Swiss his life in the ill-fated attempt to bring reform movement as a teacher at Calvin's Germany and England together in the Academy. In 1544 at the age of 29 he marriage of Henry to Anne of Cleves. broke with his mentor over matters of Included among the second generation Biblical interpretation and later attacked of Roman Catholic leaders is James Lainez him from a safer Swiss area when Servetus (1512-1565), one of the first Jesuits. In was burned. Castellio's De haereticis proved 1534 at the age of 22 he joined the Jesuit that such rebels could argue convincingly order after having studied at Alcala and for the toleration of those with whom the played an important role at Trent. Along Establishment might disagree. with him was the even younger Alphonsus "The Danish Luther," Hans Tausen Salmeron (1515-1585). Both men were (1494-1561 ), who directed the Lutheran companions of Loyola and were leaders for Reformation in his land, was 29 when he Paul III at the COD_neil of Trent. Salmeron converted to Luther'J cause in Wittenberg. was 31 when the meerings began. Another H had just passed the "age o~ trust" by striking young man during this period of two years when he became the royal chap­ Roman Catholic reform was Charles Bor­ lain for Frederick I. romeo (1538-1584). He served as sec­ John Aurifaber (1519-1575) , one of retary of state for Pius IV and was only Luther's table companions who later edited 24 years old when the Tridentine meetings both the Jena Edition of Luther's works were reconvened in 1562. He had received and the Table Talk, was 27 when Elector his doctorate in law at the age of 21. Not John Frederick called him into service only evangelicals but also Roman Catho­ during the Smalcald W ars in the year of lics had to rely on youth to carryon the Luther's death. One of the Lutheran po­ reform movements of the 16th century. lemicists who took on Calvin in written Michael Servetus (1511-1553 ) , a debate was TiIemann Heshusius (1527 to "heretic" hunted by all the churches of the 1588) . At 26 he was working in Witten­ Establishment, was only 21 when he wrote berg and in 1556 he was deposed as super­ his challenging Errors of the Trinity. intendent at Goslar because of his posi­ Faustus Socinus ( 1539-1604) was 23 tions. Even more controversial was Mat­ when he opposed the Establishment by re­ thias Flacius of Jena (1520-1575), who jecting the divinity of Christ. has been called "the greatest Lutheran the­ ologian of the 'younger generation:" 12 The picture would not be complete He came to Wittenberg at the age of 21. without considering the twin brothers His opposition to Melanchthon after the Juan Valdes (1500-1541) and Alphonse death of Luther caused him to suffer much Valdes (1500-1532), who were Spanish for his faith. humanists. Alphonse wrote an attack on the papacy in 1527 and two years later at 12 Tillmanns, p. 121. THE REFORMATION AS A YOUTH MOVEMENT 681

W e have attempted to show that there cult to prove that in the 16th century youth were many similarities between the Ref­ even considered themselves to be "revolu­ ormation era and our own times. We often tionary," it is nevertheless demonstrable hear statements today that remind us that that young men were heard and heeded in this is a revolutionary age in which youth that century. must be heard. While it would be diffi- St. Louis, Mo.