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Philipp Melanchthon, Reformation polemicist. | |
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A copper engraving by Albrecht Dürer, 1526 of Melanchthon. Born Philipp Schwarzerdt ("black earth" in German), he was given the name Melanchthon ("black earth" in Greek) as a twelve-year-old to celebrate his prodigious achievements in the language. Life-long friend of Martin Luther, Melanchthon helped Luther translate the Bible into German and was at his side, passing him notes suggesting biblical passages contradicting papal infallibility, when Luther debated the Pope's emissary in 1519. He gave Luther's funeral oration and codified Lutheran theolgy. |