Philipp Melanchthon (1497–1560)

In this 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, it seemed an ideal time to revisit the primary Lutheran confession of faith. Largely the work of Philip Melanchthon, Justus Jonas, and Johannes Bugenhagen, the 28 articles of the Confession were presented by the Lutheran princes and representatives of the "free cities" of Germany to the Diet of Augsburg and set forth what the Lutherans believed. This was done so that "in doctrine and ceremonies nothing has been received on our part against Scripture or the Church Catholic."

The Confession is divided into two parts: the "theses" or chief articles of faith (I-XXI), and the "abuses corrected" (XXII-XXVIII). Of interest to me is the fact that the English translation of the Confession is a great influence on the initial Anglican articles of faith which culminated in the Thirty-nine Articles of 1563. A great little edition of one of the most important documents of the Reformation period.… (mere)

This book is one of the most important documents in to Protestant Christianity. It was one of the first documents presented as a unified set of beliefs for the German Reformers to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles. It subsequently became one of the most unifying documents in Protestant churches, with a large number of denominations today still holding to the beliefs enumerated therein. This is essential for almost any Christian to read, even if they are Protestant, in order to understand the history and goals of the Reformation were, and how they came to shape the Christian church we have today.… (mere)