Born Philipp Schwartzerdt, in 1497 into a well connected family, Philip Melanchthon studied Latin and Greek at the Latin school at Pforzheim. His great-uncle, Johann Reuchlin suggested that he follow a humanist custom and change his last name to the Greek equivalent Melanchthon, both meaning “black earth.” In 1518, Melanchthon accepted a professor of Greek position at the University of Wittenberg. He studied the Bible, particularly the letters of Paul, and collaborated with Martin Luther on Bible translation.
In 1521, Melanchthon published “Common Places in Theology or Fundamental Doctrinal Themes” arguing that faith in God is more important than good deeds.
Melanchthon wrote several pieces defending the work of Luther, most notably, the Augsburg Confession, which laid out 21 “Articles of Faith” and described 7 perceived abused of the Catholic Church. The Augsburg Confession was presented to the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V at the 1530 Diet of Augsburg. The Peace of Augsburg in 1555 accepted the Augsburg Confession and gave Lutheranism legal status in the Holy Roman Empire. Translations of the Augsburg Confession helped spread the Reformation throughout Europe.
Learn More About Philip Melanchthon More About The Augsburg Confession Philip Melanchthon, the Protestant preceptor of Germany, 1497-1560