Paul Speratus
Encyclopedia
Paul Speratus was a Catholic priest who became a Protestant preacher and song-writer. In 1523, he helped Martin Luther
to create the First Lutheran hymnal
, published in 1524 and called Achtliederbuch.
) in Swabia
, on or about 13 December 1484, probably to a wealthy family. His original surname, Latinized to "Speratus," may have been "Spreter," "Hoffer," or "Offer." In later years would write his name as "von Rötlen" (of Rötlen) or "von Ellwangen, Priester der Diöcese Augsburg" (of Ellwangen, Priest of the Diocese of Augsburg).
Early studies took him to Paris and Italy, as well as (probably) Freiburg
and Vienna. In 1506, he was ordained a Roman Catholic priest. In 1517, he was the author of a poem praising the Johann Eck
, a conservative Catholic soon to be an important Catholic critic of Luther's new doctrines. At about the same time, the Pope
named Speratus a Papal count palatine
. In 1520, after having spent some years as cathedral preacher in Salzburg
, he became the cathedral preacher in Würzburg
.
, protesting the sale of indulgences and enclosing a copy of his 95 Theses, which his friends had translated from Latin to German by January of 1518. In the early part of his ministry, Luther saw himself as a reformer operating inside the Catholic Church, as did many early followers such as Speratus.
By November, 1521, however, Speratus had married and was forced to flee his position, going first to Salzburg, and then to Hungary. He was excommunicated in 1522, after preaching in Vienna a sermon denouncing his monastic vows. In 1523, he was imprisoned and condemned to death by burning, being released only after the intervention of friends and on the condition that he leave Moravia
. It was while imprisoned that Speratus wrote his most famous hymn, Es ist das Heil uns kommen her.
in 1523, where Speratus helped Luther to create the first Lutheran hymnal, the Achtliederbuch, published in 1524. This hymnal
contained only eight songs: four by Luther, three by Speratus, and one by Justus Jonas
.
, "Luther himself is said to have given his last coin to a Prussian beggar from whom he heard it for the first time."
The 14 stanzas of Speratus's text expound Luther's teaching concerning salvation by faith
rather than by doing good works
. According to Scott Hendrix, "It not only emphasizes justification by faith alone but it also underlines the vitality of that faith manifested in service to others".
including Septuagesima
.
, a post he held until his death in 1551. He was active there in defending the tenets of faith advanced by Luther, and in attacking such rival sects as the followers of Caspar Schwenckfeldt and Andreas Osiander
. He died in Marienwerder on 12 August 1551.
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
to create the First Lutheran hymnal
First Lutheran hymnal
The First Lutheran hymnal, published in 1524 as Etlich Cristlich Lider / Lobgesang un Psalm , often also often referred to as the Achtliederbuch , was the first Lutheran hymnal.-History and content:The hymnal was created by Martin Luther and Paul Speratus working in...
, published in 1524 and called Achtliederbuch.
Early life
Paul Speratus was born in Rötlen (a village now part of present-day EllwangenEllwangen
Ellwangen an der Jagst, officially Ellwangen , in common use simply Ellwangen is a town in the district of Ostalbkreis in the east of Baden-Württemberg in Germany...
) in Swabia
Swabia
Swabia is a cultural, historic and linguistic region in southwestern Germany.-Geography:Like many cultural regions of Europe, Swabia's borders are not clearly defined...
, on or about 13 December 1484, probably to a wealthy family. His original surname, Latinized to "Speratus," may have been "Spreter," "Hoffer," or "Offer." In later years would write his name as "von Rötlen" (of Rötlen) or "von Ellwangen, Priester der Diöcese Augsburg" (of Ellwangen, Priest of the Diocese of Augsburg).
Early studies took him to Paris and Italy, as well as (probably) Freiburg
Freiburg
Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In the extreme south-west of the country, it straddles the Dreisam river, at the foot of the Schlossberg. Historically, the city has acted as the hub of the Breisgau region on the western edge of the Black Forest in the Upper Rhine Plain...
and Vienna. In 1506, he was ordained a Roman Catholic priest. In 1517, he was the author of a poem praising the Johann Eck
Johann Eck
Dr. Johann Maier von Eck was a German Scholastic theologian and defender of Catholicism during the Protestant Reformation. It was Eck who argued that the beliefs of Martin Luther and Jan Hus were similar.-Life:...
, a conservative Catholic soon to be an important Catholic critic of Luther's new doctrines. At about the same time, the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
named Speratus a Papal count palatine
Count Palatine (Imperial)
The Imperial Count Palatine was a title revived by Emperor Charles IV which was based upon the former position of a Count Palatine in the royal court....
. In 1520, after having spent some years as cathedral preacher in Salzburg
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
, he became the cathedral preacher in Würzburg
Würzburg
Würzburg is a city in the region of Franconia which lies in the northern tip of Bavaria, Germany. Located at the Main River, it is the capital of the Regierungsbezirk Lower Franconia. The regional dialect is Franconian....
.
Disciple of Martin Luther
On 31 October 1517, Martin Luther wrote to his bishop, Albert of MainzAlbert of Mainz
Cardinal Albert of Hohenzollern was Elector and Archbishop of Mainz from 1514 to 1545, and Archbishop of Magdeburg from 1513 to 1545.-Biography:...
, protesting the sale of indulgences and enclosing a copy of his 95 Theses, which his friends had translated from Latin to German by January of 1518. In the early part of his ministry, Luther saw himself as a reformer operating inside the Catholic Church, as did many early followers such as Speratus.
By November, 1521, however, Speratus had married and was forced to flee his position, going first to Salzburg, and then to Hungary. He was excommunicated in 1522, after preaching in Vienna a sermon denouncing his monastic vows. In 1523, he was imprisoned and condemned to death by burning, being released only after the intervention of friends and on the condition that he leave Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
. It was while imprisoned that Speratus wrote his most famous hymn, Es ist das Heil uns kommen her.
Achtliederbuch
After Speratus was released from prison, he and his wife went to join Luther in WittenbergWittenberg
Wittenberg, officially Lutherstadt Wittenberg, is a city in Germany in the Bundesland Saxony-Anhalt, on the river Elbe. It has a population of about 50,000....
in 1523, where Speratus helped Luther to create the first Lutheran hymnal, the Achtliederbuch, published in 1524. This hymnal
Hymnal
Hymnal or hymnary or hymnbook is a collection of hymns, i.e. religious songs, usually in the form of a book. The earliest hand-written hymnals are known since Middle Ages in the context of European Christianity...
contained only eight songs: four by Luther, three by Speratus, and one by Justus Jonas
Justus Jonas
Justus Jonas was a German Lutheran reformer.-Biography:Jonas was born at Nordhausen in Thuringia. His real name was Jodokus Koch, which he changed according to the common custom of German scholars in the sixteenth century, when at the University of Erfurt...
.
Es ist das Heil uns kommen her
The words of this hymn were written during the time Speratus was imprisoned; the melody is taken from a 15th-century chorale. According to Catherine WinkworthCatherine Winkworth
Catherine Winkworth was an English translator. She is best known for bringing the German chorale tradition to English speakers with her numerous translations of hymns.-Biography:...
, "Luther himself is said to have given his last coin to a Prussian beggar from whom he heard it for the first time."
The 14 stanzas of Speratus's text expound Luther's teaching concerning salvation by faith
Sola fide
Sola fide , also historically known as the doctrine of justification by faith alone, is a Christian theological doctrine that distinguishes most Protestant denominations from Catholicism, Eastern Christianity, and some in the Restoration Movement.The doctrine of sola fide or "by faith alone"...
rather than by doing good works
Good works
Good works, or simply works, within Christian theology are a person's actions or deeds, contrasting with interior qualities such as grace or faith.The New Testament exhibits a tension between two aspects of grace:...
. According to Scott Hendrix, "It not only emphasizes justification by faith alone but it also underlines the vitality of that faith manifested in service to others".
In Gott gelaub ich, das er hat
Miles Coverdale published his English translation of this song as "In God I trust for so I must."Hilf Gott, wie ist der Menschen Not
This hymn is recommended in the Missale of Matthäus Ludecus (1589) for several different feasts of the liturgical yearLiturgical year
The liturgical year, also known as the church year, consists of the cycle of liturgical seasons in Christian churches which determines when feast days, including celebrations of saints, are to be observed, and which portions of Scripture are to be read. Distinct liturgical colours may appear in...
including Septuagesima
Septuagesima
Septuagesima is the name for the ninth Sunday before Easter, the third before Ash Wednesday. The term is sometimes applied also to the period that begins on this day and ends on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins. This period is also known as the pre-Lenten season or...
.
Later career
On Luther's recommendation, Speratus became court chaplain of Albert, Duke of Prussia, a post he held from 1524–29. In 1530, he became the Protestant bishop of PomeraniaPomerania
Pomerania is a historical region on the south shore of the Baltic Sea. Divided between Germany and Poland, it stretches roughly from the Recknitz River near Stralsund in the West, via the Oder River delta near Szczecin, to the mouth of the Vistula River near Gdańsk in the East...
, a post he held until his death in 1551. He was active there in defending the tenets of faith advanced by Luther, and in attacking such rival sects as the followers of Caspar Schwenckfeldt and Andreas Osiander
Andreas Osiander
Andreas Osiander was a German Lutheran theologian.- Career :Born at Gunzenhausen in Franconia, Osiander studied at the University of Ingolstadt before being ordained as a priest in 1520. In the same year he began work at an Augustinian convent in Nuremberg as a Hebrew tutor. In 1522, he was...
. He died in Marienwerder on 12 August 1551.
External links
- Speratus [Spreth
, Paul] Music-Encyclopedia, - 15th C. chorale melody used for "Es ist das Heil uns kommen her"