Thomas Erastus
Encyclopedia
Thomas Erastus was a Swiss physician and theologian
best known for a posthumously published work in which he argued that the sins of Christians should be punished by the state, and not by the church withholding the sacraments. A generalization of this idea, that the state is supreme in church matters, is known somewhat misleadingly as Erastianism.
(later part of the Canton of Aargau) in Switzerland. His original, Lüber, he translated in humanist style to "Erastus".
In 1540 he was studying arts and theology at Basel
. After surviving the plague
in 1544, he moved to Bologna
as student of philosophy
and medicine. In 1553 he became physician
to the count of Henneberg, Saxe-Meiningen
, and in 1558 held the same post with the elector-palatine, Otto Henry, Elector Palatine
, being at the same time professor of medicine at Heidelberg
. His patron's successor, Frederick III
, made him (1559) a privy councillor and member of the church consistory
.
In theology he followed Zwingli
, and at the sacramentarian conferences of Heidelberg
(1560) and Maulbronn
(1564) he advocated by voice and pen the Zwinglian doctrine of the Lord's Supper
, replying (1565) to the counter arguments of the Lutheran Johann Marbach
, of Strasbourg
. He ineffectually resisted the efforts of the Calvinists, led by Caspar Olevianus, to introduce the Presbyterian polity
and discipline, which were established at Heidelberg in 1570, on the Genevan model.
One of the first acts of the new church system was to excommunicate Erastus on a charge of Socinianism
, founded on his correspondence with Transylvania
. The ban was not removed till 1576, Erastus declaring his firm adhesion to the doctrine of the Trinity
. His position, however, was uncomfortable, and in 1580 he returned to Basel
, where in 1582 he became professor of ethics.
. But the common usage of Erastianism is shown to be a misnomer by the context and detail of the original Treatise of Erastus. Erastianism, as a by-word, is used to denote the doctrine of the supremacy of the state in ecclesiastical causes; but the general problem of the relations between church and state is not one on which Erastus enters.
He published several pieces bearing on medicine, astrology
and alchemy
, and attacking the system of Paracelsus
. In so doing he defended medieval tradition in general, and Galen
in particular, while conceding some merit to specific points in Paracelsus. His name is permanently associated with a posthumous publication, written in 1568. Its immediate occasion was the disputation at Heidelberg (1568) for the doctorate of theology by George Withers, an English Puritan
(subsequently Archdeacon of Colchester), silenced (1565) at Bury St Edmunds by Archbishop Parker
. Withers had proposed a disputation against vestments, which the university would not allow; his thesis affirming the excommunicating power of the presbytery was sustained.
Hence arose the reply, the Treatise of Erastus. It was published (1589) by Giacomo Castelvetro
, who had married his widow. It consists of seventy-five Theses, followed by a Confirmatio in six books, and an appendix of letters to Erastus by Heinrich Bullinger
and Rudolf Gwalther
, showing that his Theses, written in 1568, had been circulated in manuscript. An English translation of the Theses, with brief life of Erastus (based on Melchior Adam
's account), was issued in 1659, entitled The Nullity of Church Censures; it was reprinted as A Treatise of Excommunication (1682), and, as revised by Robert Lee, D.D., in 1844.
The aim of the work is to show, on Scriptural grounds, that sins of professing Christians are to be punished by civil authority, and not by withholding of sacraments on the part of the clergy. In the Westminster Assembly
a party holding this view included John Selden
, John Lightfoot
, Thomas Coleman
and Bulstrode Whitelocke
, whose speech (1645) is appended to Lee's version of the Theses; but the opposite view, after much controversy, was carried, Lightfoot alone dissenting. The consequent chapter of the Westminster Confession of Faith
("Of Church Censures") was, however, not ratified by the English parliament.
What is known as Erastianism would be better connected with the name of Hugo Grotius
. The only direct reply made to the Explicatio was the Tractatus pius et moderatus de vera excommunicatione et christiano presbyterio (1590) by Theodore Beza
, who found himself rather savagely attacked in the Confirmatio thesium; e.g. "Apostolum et Mosen adeoque Deum ipsum audes corrigere."
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
best known for a posthumously published work in which he argued that the sins of Christians should be punished by the state, and not by the church withholding the sacraments. A generalization of this idea, that the state is supreme in church matters, is known somewhat misleadingly as Erastianism.
Life
Erastus was born of poor parents, probably at BadenBaden, Switzerland
Baden is a municipality in the Swiss canton of Aargau, on the west bank of the river Limmat, located in the Limmat Valley , northwest of Zürich. It is the seat of the district of Baden...
(later part of the Canton of Aargau) in Switzerland. His original, Lüber, he translated in humanist style to "Erastus".
In 1540 he was studying arts and theology at Basel
University of Basel
The University of Basel is located in Basel, Switzerland, and is considered to be one of leading universities in the country...
. After surviving the plague
Bubonic plague
Plague is a deadly infectious disease that is caused by the enterobacteria Yersinia pestis, named after the French-Swiss bacteriologist Alexandre Yersin. Primarily carried by rodents and spread to humans via fleas, the disease is notorious throughout history, due to the unrivaled scale of death...
in 1544, he moved to Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
as student of philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and medicine. In 1553 he became physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
to the count of Henneberg, Saxe-Meiningen
Saxe-Meiningen
The Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen was one of the Saxon duchies held by the Ernestine line of the Wettin dynasty, located in the southwest of the present-day German state of Thuringia....
, and in 1558 held the same post with the elector-palatine, Otto Henry, Elector Palatine
Otto Henry, Elector Palatine
Otto-Henry, Elector Palatine, a member of the Wittelsbach dynasty was Count Palatine of Palatinate-Neuburg from 1505 to 1559 and prince elector of the Palatinate from 1556 to 1559...
, being at the same time professor of medicine at Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
. His patron's successor, Frederick III
Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick the Peaceful KG was Duke of Austria as Frederick V from 1424, the successor of Albert II as German King as Frederick IV from 1440, and Holy Roman Emperor as Frederick III from 1452...
, made him (1559) a privy councillor and member of the church consistory
Consistory
-Antiquity:Originally, the Latin word consistorium meant simply 'sitting together', just as the Greek synedrion ....
.
In theology he followed Zwingli
Huldrych Zwingli
Ulrich Zwingli was a leader of the Reformation in Switzerland. Born during a time of emerging Swiss patriotism and increasing criticism of the Swiss mercenary system, he attended the University of Vienna and the University of Basel, a scholarly centre of humanism...
, and at the sacramentarian conferences of Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
(1560) and Maulbronn
Maulbronn
Maulbronn is a city in the district of Enz in Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany.-History:Founded in 1838, it emerged from a settlement, built around a monastery, which belonged to the Neckar Community in the Kingdom of Württemberg. In 1886, Maulbronn officially became a German town and was an...
(1564) he advocated by voice and pen the Zwinglian doctrine of the Lord's Supper
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
, replying (1565) to the counter arguments of the Lutheran Johann Marbach
Johann Marbach
Johann Marbach was a German Lutheran reformer and controversialist.-Life:He was born at Lindau in Bavaria. He began his studies at Strasbourg in 1536, and three years later went to Wittenberg, where he shared a house with Martin Luther and took his doctor's degree in 1543...
, of Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
. He ineffectually resisted the efforts of the Calvinists, led by Caspar Olevianus, to introduce the Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
and discipline, which were established at Heidelberg in 1570, on the Genevan model.
One of the first acts of the new church system was to excommunicate Erastus on a charge of Socinianism
Socinianism
Socinianism is a system of Christian doctrine named for Fausto Sozzini , which was developed among the Polish Brethren in the Minor Reformed Church of Poland during the 15th and 16th centuries and embraced also by the Unitarian Church of Transylvania during the same period...
, founded on his correspondence with Transylvania
Transylvania
Transylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical...
. The ban was not removed till 1576, Erastus declaring his firm adhesion to the doctrine of the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
. His position, however, was uncomfortable, and in 1580 he returned to Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
, where in 1582 he became professor of ethics.
Works and Erastianism
The name of Erastus is known in connection with "Erastianism", used to describe doctrines justifying state control of religionState religion
A state religion is a religious body or creed officially endorsed by the state...
. But the common usage of Erastianism is shown to be a misnomer by the context and detail of the original Treatise of Erastus. Erastianism, as a by-word, is used to denote the doctrine of the supremacy of the state in ecclesiastical causes; but the general problem of the relations between church and state is not one on which Erastus enters.
He published several pieces bearing on medicine, astrology
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
and alchemy
Alchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
, and attacking the system of Paracelsus
Paracelsus
Paracelsus was a German-Swiss Renaissance physician, botanist, alchemist, astrologer, and general occultist....
. In so doing he defended medieval tradition in general, and Galen
Galen
Aelius Galenus or Claudius Galenus , better known as Galen of Pergamon , was a prominent Roman physician, surgeon and philosopher...
in particular, while conceding some merit to specific points in Paracelsus. His name is permanently associated with a posthumous publication, written in 1568. Its immediate occasion was the disputation at Heidelberg (1568) for the doctorate of theology by George Withers, an English Puritan
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
(subsequently Archdeacon of Colchester), silenced (1565) at Bury St Edmunds by Archbishop Parker
Matthew Parker
Matthew Parker was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1559 until his death in 1575. He was also an influential theologian and arguably the co-founder of Anglican theological thought....
. Withers had proposed a disputation against vestments, which the university would not allow; his thesis affirming the excommunicating power of the presbytery was sustained.
Hence arose the reply, the Treatise of Erastus. It was published (1589) by Giacomo Castelvetro
Giacomo Castelvetro
Giacomo Castelvetro was an Italian refugee, humanist, teacher and travel writer.-Life:Giacomo Castelvetro was born in Modena in 1546 to the banker Niccolò Castelvetro and his wife Liberata Tassoni. Not much is known of his early life. He was smuggled out of Modena with his older brother when he...
, who had married his widow. It consists of seventy-five Theses, followed by a Confirmatio in six books, and an appendix of letters to Erastus by Heinrich Bullinger
Heinrich Bullinger
Heinrich Bullinger was a Swiss reformer, the successor of Huldrych Zwingli as head of the Zurich church and pastor at Grossmünster...
and Rudolf Gwalther
Rudolf Gwalther
Rudolf Gwalther was a Reformed Protestant pastor at who succeeded Heinrich Bullinger as Antistes of the Zurich church.- Life :Gwalther was born the son of a carpenter, who died when he was young. Heinrich Bullinger assumed responsibility for Gwalther's upbringing...
, showing that his Theses, written in 1568, had been circulated in manuscript. An English translation of the Theses, with brief life of Erastus (based on Melchior Adam
Melchior Adam
Melchior Adam was a German literature historian.Adam was born in Grottkau, Silesia . He visited the college in Brieg Brzeg, then studied on various academies with financial support of his benefactor Joachim von Berg...
's account), was issued in 1659, entitled The Nullity of Church Censures; it was reprinted as A Treatise of Excommunication (1682), and, as revised by Robert Lee, D.D., in 1844.
The aim of the work is to show, on Scriptural grounds, that sins of professing Christians are to be punished by civil authority, and not by withholding of sacraments on the part of the clergy. In the Westminster Assembly
Westminster Assembly
The Westminster Assembly of Divines was appointed by the Long Parliament to restructure the Church of England. It also included representatives of religious leaders from Scotland...
a party holding this view included John Selden
John Selden
John Selden was an English jurist and a scholar of England's ancient laws and constitution and scholar of Jewish law...
, John Lightfoot
John Lightfoot
John Lightfoot was an English churchman, rabbinical scholar, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge and Master of St Catharine's College, Cambridge.-Life:...
, Thomas Coleman
Thomas Coleman
Thomas Coleman was an English clergyman, known for his scholarship in the Hebrew language, which earned him the nickname ‘Rabbi Coleman’, and for his Erastian view of church polity. In the Westminster Assembly he was the clerical leader of the Erastian party, alongside the lawyer John Selden...
and Bulstrode Whitelocke
Bulstrode Whitelocke
Sir Bulstrode Whitelocke was an English lawyer, writer, parliamentarian and Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England.- Biography :...
, whose speech (1645) is appended to Lee's version of the Theses; but the opposite view, after much controversy, was carried, Lightfoot alone dissenting. The consequent chapter of the Westminster Confession of Faith
Westminster Confession of Faith
The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition. Although drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly, largely of the Church of England, it became and remains the 'subordinate standard' of doctrine in the Church of Scotland, and has been...
("Of Church Censures") was, however, not ratified by the English parliament.
What is known as Erastianism would be better connected with the name of Hugo Grotius
Hugo Grotius
Hugo Grotius , also known as Huig de Groot, Hugo Grocio or Hugo de Groot, was a jurist in the Dutch Republic. With Francisco de Vitoria and Alberico Gentili he laid the foundations for international law, based on natural law...
. The only direct reply made to the Explicatio was the Tractatus pius et moderatus de vera excommunicatione et christiano presbyterio (1590) by Theodore Beza
Theodore Beza
Theodore Beza was a French Protestant Christian theologian and scholar who played an important role in the Reformation...
, who found himself rather savagely attacked in the Confirmatio thesium; e.g. "Apostolum et Mosen adeoque Deum ipsum audes corrigere."
External links
Further reading
- Athenae Rauricae] (Basel, 1778) pp. 427-30.
- Auguste Bonnard, Thomas Éraste et la discipline ecclésiastique (1894)
- Charles Gunnoe, “Thomas Erastus and his Circle of Anti-Paracelsians.” In Analecta Paracelsica, ed. Joachim Telle, 127-48. Stuttgart: Franz Steiner Verlag, 1994.
- G. V. LechlerGotthard Victor LechlerGotthard Victor Lechler , German Lutheran theologian, was born at Kloster Reichenbach in Württemberg.He studied at the University of Tübingen under Ferdinand Christian Baur, and became in 1858 pastor of the church of St Thomas, professor ordinarius of historical theology and superintendent of the...
and R. Stähelin, in Albert Hauck's Realencyklop. für prot. Theol. u. Kirche (1898) - Ruth Wesel-Roth, Thomas Erastus: Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der reformierten Kirche und zur Lehre von der Staatssouveränität [Veröffentlichungen des Vereins für Kirchengeschichte in der evang. Landeskirche Badens 15]. Lahr/Baden: Moritz Schauenberg, 1954.