Sabbatical with Pastor Curtis: Philipp Schwartzerdt -- Who?

Humanist, Greek scholar, scientist, astologist, physiologist, professor of theology and husband are vocations that Dr. Philipp Melanchthon aspired to. Yesterday, we visited the Melanchthon House. Melanchthon was born in Bretten, Germany on February 16, 1497. He was educated in his early years by a tutor and went to a Latin school. Philipp lost his father when he was 11 years old. His given name was Philipp Schwartzerdt. His great uncle and famous humanist, Johann Reuchlin, a renaissance humanist, had great influence on Philipp and changed his sir name from Schwartzerdt to Melanchthon, which is Greek for "melan" meaning black and "chthon" meaning earth (black earth). Reuchlin was awarded the newly created professorship in Greek at the University of Wittenberg by the Elector of Saxony 1518.

Like Luther, Malanchthon also had a number of students living in his house as well. Like Luther's wife, Philipp's wife was also named Katherina. Luther actually introduced Katherina Krapp to Philipp. Unlike Luther's wife, Philipp's wife was not a very good cook. The primary cooking was done by their maid. Unlike Luther's love for food and especially meat, Melanchthon favored stews, fish, and hard-boiled eggs. He also enjoyed his wine. Like Luther, he also had table talks with the students living in his house, but unlike Luther, these talks were not written down.

Melanchthon had a large herb garden in his back yard. Raising different herbs, he believed the herbs to have healing powers. There were seven pharmacopoeias categories of sickness that certain herbs could cure. There were herbs for cold and fever, heart remedies, digestive plants, gynecological medicinal plants, etc.

Being interested in science, he intently studies the major scientists of his day. He was skeptical of Copernicus's new conception of the world, where the earth revolves around the sun. Melanchthon also occupied himself with horoscopes and the interpretation of celestial phenomena. He also ended up writing a book on the history of the world.

Melanchthon had book nooks built into the walls of every room in his house. That way he always had his favorite books to read no matter what room he was in.

He was also a prolific writer. Just writing letters alone, he penned more than 9,000 that we know of. More writings were authored by Melanchthon than any other reformer. Besides the letters, he wrote more than 2,000 works penned by his own hand. He did not have a secretary as did Luther. Luther said of his friend's writings, "I prefer Master Philipp's books to those of my own." Malanchthon is famous for writing the Augsburg Confession and the Apology of the Augsburg Confession which are included in our Lutheran confessions in the Book of Concord. Enjoy more pictures of Melanchthon and some of the furnishings found in his house.

Do you know the men in the painting above?

(*answer below)

Did you hear that Pastor Curtis tried out for the lead in the production "The Life and Times of Philipp Melanchthon?" See him in costume below. Only kidding. Just having fun. By the way, the clothes would have actually fit Philipp the same way they fit me. He was about my size in stature.