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Nicolaus von Amsdorf (Latin: Nicolaus Amsdorfius, 3 December 1483 – 14 May 1565) was a GermanLutheran theologian and an earlyProtestant reformer. As bishop ofNaumburg (1542–1546), he became the first Lutheran bishop in theHoly Roman Empire.
He was born inTorgau, on theElbe.[1]
He was educated atLeipzig, and then atWittenberg, where he was one of the first who matriculated (1502) in the recently founded university. He soon obtained various academic honours, and became professor oftheology in 1511.[1]
LikeAndreas Karlstadt, he was at first a leading exponent of the older type ofscholastic theology, but under the influence ofLuther abandoned hisAristotelian positions for a theology based on theAugustinian doctrine ofgrace. Throughout his life he remained one of Luther's most determined supporters; he was with him at theLeipzig conference (1519), and theDiet of Worms (1521); and was privy to the secret of hisWartburg seclusion. He assisted the first efforts of theReformation atMagdeburg (1524), atGoslar (1531) and atEinbeck (1534); took an active part in the debates atSchmalkalden (1537), where he defended the use of thesacrament by the unbelieving; and (1539) spoke out strongly against thebigamy of the Landgrave of Hesse.[1]
After the death ofPhilip of the Palatinate,bishop of Naumburg-Zeitz, he was installed there on 20 January 1542, though in opposition to thechapter, by thePrince-elector ofSaxony and Luther. His position was a painful one, and he longed to get back to Magdeburg, but was persuaded by Luther to stay. After Luther's death (1546) and theBattle of Mühlberg (1547) he had to yield to his rival,Julius von Pflug, and retire to the protection of the youngduke of Weimar. Here he took part in foundingJena University (1558); opposed the "Augsburg Interim" (1548); superintended the publication of the Jena edition of Luther's works; and debated on the freedom of thewill,original sin, and, more noticeably, on the Christian value ofgood works, in regard to which he held that they were not only useless, but prejudicial in the matter of man's salvation. He urged the separation of the High Lutheran party fromMelanchthon (1557), got theSaxon dukes to oppose theFrankfurt Recess (1558) and continued to fight for the purity ofLutheran doctrine.[1]
He died atEisenach in 1565, and was buried in the church of St. Georg there, where hiseffigy shows a well-knit frame and sharp-cut features.[1]
He was a man of strong will, of great aptitude for controversy, and considerable learning, and thus exercised a decided influence on the Reformation. Many letters and other short productions of his pen are extant in manuscript, especially five thick volumes of Amsdorfiana, in the Weimar library. They are a valuable source for our knowledge of Luther. A small sect, which adopted his opinion on good works, was called after him; but it is now of mere historical interest.[1]
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Amsdorf, Nicolaus Von".Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.Nicolaus von Amsdorf Born: 3 December 1483 inTorgau Died: 14 May 1565 inEisenach | ||
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| Preceded by | Prince-Bishop of Naumburg 1542–1546 | Succeeded by |
