Valerius Herberger
Encyclopedia
Valerius Herberger was a German Lutheran preacher and theologian.
(now Wschowa
in Poland
). He studied for three years at Freystadt in Silesia (now Kożuchów
in Poland
), and then entered the University of Frankfort-on-the-Oder. In 1582 he went to Leipzig University.
In 1584 he became a teacher in Fraustadt, in 1590 deacon
, and in 1599 pastor
. Sigismund III Vasa
ordered his congregation to cede their house of worship to the Roman Catholics; Herberger then acquired two private residences, which he gradually transformed into a church. He died in Fraustadt.
He was a prolific writer. His most comprehensive work is Magnalia Dei de Jesu scripturæ nucleo et medulla (12 parts, 1601-18), meditations on the Pentateuch, Joshua, Judges, and Ruth, emphasising the revelation of Christ in the Old Testament
. Herberger also
wrote commentaries on Revelation xxi.-xxii. and published them as Himmelsches Jerusalem (1609). Passionszeiger (1611), Trauerbinden or funeral sermons (7 vols., 1611-21), and Evangelische Herzpostille
(1613) are collections of sermons which may be mentioned.
After his death appeared Epistolische Herzpostille, 97 Predigten über Jesus Sirach, and Stoppelpostille (sermons on various texts). Several of his works were reprinted in the nineteenth century:
Life
He was born at Fraustadt, SilesiaSilesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
(now Wschowa
Wschowa
Wschowa is a town in the Lubusz Voivodeship in Poland with 14,607 inhabitants . It is the capital of Wschowa County.-History:Wschowa was originally a border fortress in a region disputed by the Polish dukes of Silesia and Greater Poland. After German colonists had established a settlement nearby,...
in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
). He studied for three years at Freystadt in Silesia (now Kożuchów
Kozuchów
Kożuchów is a town in Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland.- External links :*...
in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
), and then entered the University of Frankfort-on-the-Oder. In 1582 he went to Leipzig University.
In 1584 he became a teacher in Fraustadt, in 1590 deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
, and in 1599 pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
. Sigismund III Vasa
Sigismund III Vasa
Sigismund III Vasa was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, a monarch of the united Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth from 1587 to 1632, and King of Sweden from 1592 until he was deposed in 1599...
ordered his congregation to cede their house of worship to the Roman Catholics; Herberger then acquired two private residences, which he gradually transformed into a church. He died in Fraustadt.
Works
In 1613 an epidemic broke out at Fraustadt, and under those circumstances Herberger composed his only hymn, Valet will ich dir geben, du arge falsche Welt ("O world, so vain, I leave thee"). It was published in 1614 with a melody by Melchior Teschner.He was a prolific writer. His most comprehensive work is Magnalia Dei de Jesu scripturæ nucleo et medulla (12 parts, 1601-18), meditations on the Pentateuch, Joshua, Judges, and Ruth, emphasising the revelation of Christ in the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
. Herberger also
wrote commentaries on Revelation xxi.-xxii. and published them as Himmelsches Jerusalem (1609). Passionszeiger (1611), Trauerbinden or funeral sermons (7 vols., 1611-21), and Evangelische Herzpostille
(1613) are collections of sermons which may be mentioned.
After his death appeared Epistolische Herzpostille, 97 Predigten über Jesus Sirach, and Stoppelpostille (sermons on various texts). Several of his works were reprinted in the nineteenth century:
- Magnalia Dei: die Grossen Thaten Gottes 1-4 (reprint, ed. Fricke, 1854)
- Das Himmlische Jerusalem (reprint, ed. Bredt, 1858)
- Erklärung des Haus- und Zucht-Buchs Jesus Sirach in 97 Predigten (reprint, ed. Buchka, 1739)
- Paradies-Blümlein aus der Lustgarten der 150 Psalmen (reprint, ed. Otto, 1862)
Further reading
- The Great Works Of God: Part One And Two: The Mysteries Of Christ In The Book Of Genesis, Chapter 1-15 (2010), translated by Matthew Carver
- Valerius Herberger (Hymn-Writer) (Bach-Cantatas)