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History of the Christian Church: Modern Christianity: The German Reformation
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to ensure edition identification: ++++ History Of The Christian Church. A.D. 1-311. Modern Christianity. The German Reformation A.D. 1517-1530; History Of The Christian Church. A.D. 1-311. Modern Christianity. The German Reformation A.D. 1517-1530; Philip Schaff Philip Schaff
772 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1888
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About the author
Philip Schaff
1,662 books67 followersPhilip Schaff was educated at the gymnasium of Stuttgart, and at the universities of Tübingen, Halle and Berlin, where he was successively influenced by Baur and Schmid, by Tholuck and Julius Müller, by David Strauss and, above all, Neander. At Berlin, in 1841, he took the degree of B.D., and passed examinations for a professorship. He then traveled through Italy and Sicily as tutor to Baron Krischer. In 1842 he was Privatdozent in the University of Berlin, where he lectured on exegesis and church history. In 1843 he was called to become professor of church history and Biblical literature in the German Reformed Theological Seminary of Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, then the only seminary of that church in America.
On his journey he stayed in England and met Edward Pusey and other Tractarians. His inaugural address on The Principle of Protestantism, delivered in German at Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1844, and published in German with an English version by John Williamson Nevin was a pioneer work in English in the field of symbolics (that is, the authoritative ecclesiastical formulations of religious doctrines in creeds or confessions). This address and the "Mercersburg Theology" which he taught seemed too pro-Catholic to some, and he was charged with heresy. But, at the synod at York in 1845, he was unanimously acquitted.
Schaff's broad views strongly influenced the German Reformed Church, through his teaching at Mercersburg, through his championship of English in German Reformed churches and schools in America, through his hymnal (1859), through his labours as chairman of the committee which prepared a new liturgy, and by his edition (1863) of the Heidelberg Catechism. His History of the Apostolic Church (in German, 1851; in English, 1853) and his History of the Christian Church (7 vols., 1858-1890), opened a new period in American study of ecclesiastical history.
In 1854, he visited Europe, representing the American German churches at the ecclesiastical diet at Frankfort and at the Swiss pastoral conference at Basel. He lectured in Germany on America, and received the degree of D.D. from Berlin.
In consequence of the ravages of the American Civil War the theological seminary at Mercersburg was closed for a while and so in 1863 Dr. Schaff became secretary of the Sabbath Committee (which fought the “continental Sunday”) in New York City, and held the position till 1870. In 1865 he founded the first German Sunday School in Stuttgart. In 1862-1867 he lectured on church history at Andover.
Schaff was a member of the Leipzig Historical Society, the Netherland Historical Society, and other historical and literary societies in Europe and America. He was one of the founders, and honorary secretary, of the American branch of the Evangelical Alliance, and was sent to Europe in 1869, 1872, and 1873 to arrange for the general conference of the Alliance, which, after two postponements on account of the Franco-Prussian War, was held in New York in October 1873. Schaff was also, in 1871, one of the Alliance delegates to the emperor of Russia to plead for the religious liberty of his subjects in the Baltic provinces.
He became a professor at Union Theological Seminary, New York City in 1870 holding first the chair of theological encyclopedia and Christian symbolism till 1873, of Hebrew and the cognate languages till 1874, of sacred literature till 1887, and finally of church history, till his death. He also served as president of the committee that translated the American Standard Version of the Bible, though he died before it was published in 1901.
His History of the Christian Church resembled Neander's work, though less biographical, and was pictorial rather than philosophical. He also wrote biographies, catechisms and hymnals for children, manuals of religious verse, lectures and essays on Dante, etc. He translated Johann Jakob Herzog's Real-Encyklopädie für protestantische Theologie und Kirche into English.
On his journey he stayed in England and met Edward Pusey and other Tractarians. His inaugural address on The Principle of Protestantism, delivered in German at Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1844, and published in German with an English version by John Williamson Nevin was a pioneer work in English in the field of symbolics (that is, the authoritative ecclesiastical formulations of religious doctrines in creeds or confessions). This address and the "Mercersburg Theology" which he taught seemed too pro-Catholic to some, and he was charged with heresy. But, at the synod at York in 1845, he was unanimously acquitted.
Schaff's broad views strongly influenced the German Reformed Church, through his teaching at Mercersburg, through his championship of English in German Reformed churches and schools in America, through his hymnal (1859), through his labours as chairman of the committee which prepared a new liturgy, and by his edition (1863) of the Heidelberg Catechism. His History of the Apostolic Church (in German, 1851; in English, 1853) and his History of the Christian Church (7 vols., 1858-1890), opened a new period in American study of ecclesiastical history.
In 1854, he visited Europe, representing the American German churches at the ecclesiastical diet at Frankfort and at the Swiss pastoral conference at Basel. He lectured in Germany on America, and received the degree of D.D. from Berlin.
In consequence of the ravages of the American Civil War the theological seminary at Mercersburg was closed for a while and so in 1863 Dr. Schaff became secretary of the Sabbath Committee (which fought the “continental Sunday”) in New York City, and held the position till 1870. In 1865 he founded the first German Sunday School in Stuttgart. In 1862-1867 he lectured on church history at Andover.
Schaff was a member of the Leipzig Historical Society, the Netherland Historical Society, and other historical and literary societies in Europe and America. He was one of the founders, and honorary secretary, of the American branch of the Evangelical Alliance, and was sent to Europe in 1869, 1872, and 1873 to arrange for the general conference of the Alliance, which, after two postponements on account of the Franco-Prussian War, was held in New York in October 1873. Schaff was also, in 1871, one of the Alliance delegates to the emperor of Russia to plead for the religious liberty of his subjects in the Baltic provinces.
He became a professor at Union Theological Seminary, New York City in 1870 holding first the chair of theological encyclopedia and Christian symbolism till 1873, of Hebrew and the cognate languages till 1874, of sacred literature till 1887, and finally of church history, till his death. He also served as president of the committee that translated the American Standard Version of the Bible, though he died before it was published in 1901.
His History of the Christian Church resembled Neander's work, though less biographical, and was pictorial rather than philosophical. He also wrote biographies, catechisms and hymnals for children, manuals of religious verse, lectures and essays on Dante, etc. He translated Johann Jakob Herzog's Real-Encyklopädie für protestantische Theologie und Kirche into English.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 22, 2025
A great comprehensive history of Martin Luther and the German Reformation. The 750-page book is divided into very short sections, so it never feels like it’s dragging. Schaff, though primarily a historian, isn’t afraid to get pastoral on occasion, which I always appreciated. He also pauses occasionally to provide complete histories of certain subjects, like an overview of Protestant martyrs.
“The historian must be impartial, without being neutral or indifferent. He must follow the footsteps of Divine Providence, which shapes our ends, and guides all human events in the interest of truth, righteousness, and peace.”
“The historian must be impartial, without being neutral or indifferent. He must follow the footsteps of Divine Providence, which shapes our ends, and guides all human events in the interest of truth, righteousness, and peace.”
February 19, 2021
The 7th volume of Shaff's 8 volume work deals exclusively with the Reformation of the sixteenth century. It is rather comprehensive and thorough and, while dealing with other Christians of that era, it looks predominately at Martin Luther.
Although, admittedly, this volume is outdated, nevertheless, it is an intriguing read.
Although, admittedly, this volume is outdated, nevertheless, it is an intriguing read.
August 10, 2020
A thrilling and careful work on this period of the church. Schaff is a clear and engaging author and his subjects are always rich in content.
March 7, 2012
An extensive 19th century history of the German Reformation. This is worthwhile, for people who want to study church history from a devotional (but still historically accurate) point of view.
Among thing things you will learn about Martin Luther include:
-He called his wife "Lady Luther, Lady Doctor, Lady of the Pigmarket" (apparently, that was a compliment in 16th century Germany).
-"He was too poor to keep a horse and carriage, but he kept a bowling-alley for exercise."
-He once offered a prize to his dinner guests for the one who could say the shortest ...blessing. (Philip Melanchthon won with: "Benedictus Benedicat," something to the effect of "bless us o Blessed One.")
-He paid his wife fifty guilders to read the Bible cover to cover.
-"He regarded comets, which he calls 'harlot stars,' as tokens of God's wrath or as works of the Devil." (I now have something to shout every time I see a comet...)
Among thing things you will learn about Martin Luther include:
-He called his wife "Lady Luther, Lady Doctor, Lady of the Pigmarket" (apparently, that was a compliment in 16th century Germany).
-"He was too poor to keep a horse and carriage, but he kept a bowling-alley for exercise."
-He once offered a prize to his dinner guests for the one who could say the shortest ...blessing. (Philip Melanchthon won with: "Benedictus Benedicat," something to the effect of "bless us o Blessed One.")
-He paid his wife fifty guilders to read the Bible cover to cover.
-"He regarded comets, which he calls 'harlot stars,' as tokens of God's wrath or as works of the Devil." (I now have something to shout every time I see a comet...)
January 6, 2016
As a church historian, Schaff fits into the broad stream and style of the late 19th century style quite well. He engages the primary sources in a meaningful way, and his is clearly conversant with the best of the secondary literature. The only weakness of his books on church history is that they are dated. However, for non-specialists, this is rightfully a minor concern. For anyone seeking to broaden their knowledge of the era, they are well worth the read and can be consulted with great profit.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews