Johannes a Lasco Library: researchers show a new Melanchthon
18-11-2010
The Johannes a Lasco library in Emden (Germany) gave a positive assessment at the academic conference upon the reformer Philipp Melanchthon. During the conference Wednesday, November 10 through Friday, November 12, more than 30 researchers from 7 countries, including many researchers from the neighboring Netherlands came to Emden, Germany. In lectures and discussions, they discussed the importance of Melanchthon for the reformed tradition. This year marks the death of Philip Melanchthon 450 years ago.
"At this conference, we are becoming acquainted with a new Melanchthon," said Herman Selderhuis, professor of church history at the University of Appeldoorn, who as the research curator of the library at Emden prepared the conference. Selderhuis also said that Melanchthon was an independent philosopher and theologian of the Reformation, and not just the guy next to Martin Luther. He had great influence on the reformed tradition, including among others the Heidelberg Catechism, the central confession of Reformed Protestantism. His influence upon reformed piety and education should not be underestimated.
On Thursday evening, the mayor of Bretten, Martin Wolff, opened the traveling exhibition "Melanchthon: Overcoming Boundaries" at the Johannes a Lasco Library. Wolff noted in particular the close collaboration between the Library at Emden and the Melanchthon Academy of Bretten, which also became clear in this conference.
Marius Lange van Ravenswaay, the academic director of the library, views the conference as a good start for the further work of research of the library. The Melanchthon conference is the first major academic activity since the reopening of the library in early 2010. "We heard lectures of good quality, and made new contacts with young researchers from England, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Belgium, and South Korea." From this the library can be built up.
The next academic conference of the Johannes a Lasco Library in March 2011 treats the importance of the Heidelberg catechism for the Reformed tradition.
Ulf Preuss, spokesman for the Evangelisch-Reformierte Kirche, 12 November 2010.
Translation Refo500
Dr. Günter Frank of the Melanchthon-Akademie Bretten.
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