Reformer of Basel: The Life, Thought, and Influence of Johannes Oecolampadius

"In this carefully researched study, Diane Poythress has opened for her readers the fascinating world of Johannes Oecolampadius, an important but often overlooked sixteenth-century pastor, teacher, and Reformer. Reformer of Basel: The Life, Thought, and Influence of Johannes Oecolampadius makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of the Protestant Reformation and one of its most interesting leaders."- Garth M. Rosell, Professor of Church History,Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

"Thanks to Diane Poythress I must substantially modify my rather truncated lecture on Calvin’s education in Strassburg under Martin Bucer. Poythress expands the Reformed axis by demonstrating a strong Basel-Strassburg and Genevan connection. The Reformer of Basel, Johannes Oecolampadius, was in fact the theologian behind many of the ideas Calvin embraced, including the relationship of church and state, church discipline, Reformed liturgy, and aspects of the Lord’s Supper and union with Christ. Any subsequent study of the Lutheran and Reformed branch of the Reformation must include Oecolampadius. This book is the place to begin."- Dale Walden Johnson, Professor of Church History, Erskine Theological Seminary

"This scholarly book on Oecolampadius will be a necessary addition to any library of sixteenth-century works. Dr. Poythress has brought to life this lesserknown Reformer by painting a vivid picture of his life and contributions in the context of essential Protestant themes. She connects his theology to that of other Reformation personalities and provides a thorough review of all his published works. For Poythress, Oecolampadius is a model pastor-scholar who offered a fresh vision for renewing the church in his day and ours."- S. Donald Fortson, Professor of Church History,Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte)

"Recent years have witnessed the publication of many monographs and scholarly articles dedicated to serially neglected Reformed theologians of the sixteenth century. One such figure is Johannes Oecolampadius, a first-generation Reformed theologian and civic reformer who, when mentioned at all, is frequently depicted as a minor figure among better-known contemporaries such as Ulrich Zwingli and Martin Bucer. Diane Poythress has helpfully filled this lacuna with this new introduction to Oecolampadius’s career and convictions. Her discussion of the Reformer’s relationships with his more famous contemporaries, particularly his probable influence on Calvin himself, is particularly helpful. The sections on Oecolampadius’s approach to biblical interpretation and the introduction to his core theological convictions are most welcome. Poythress’s study will be the starting place for English-speaking students and scholars interested in studying the life and doctrine of this key early Reformed leader."- Nathan A. Finn, Associate Professor of Historical Theology,Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

"I am convinced that this book will prove a great contribution to the Reformation research in English-speaking countries. It will be my great joy to see it enjoy an extensive circulation for years to come."- Akira Demura, Professor Emeritus of Church History,Tohoku Gakuin University, Sendai, Japan

"It is almost incredible that no book-length monograph has ever been published in English on this exceedingly important Reformer of the Basel church, Johannes Oecolampadius, who played such a decisive role in the formation of the later Presbyterian-Reformed church polity, especially in the inception and establishment of eldership among the church officers."This new book by Diane Poythress, thanks to her linguistic brilliance in the sixteenth- century Swiss German and Latin, sheds a new light on this Reformer, not just as an academic or a scholar but more as a pastor or, in German, a Seelsorger (caretaker of souls), by way of the autonomous discipline of excommunication, as John Calvin later named it. Through this book, the readers will learn that Oecolampadius’s prayer was centered solely around the rediscovery and remedy of the lost sheep back to Christ’s fold.

"Contemporary of Ulrich Zwingli and Protestant leader of Basel, Johannes Oecolampadius is arguably the most important of the forgotten first-generation Reformers. His numerous commentaries on Scripture and writings on the Lord’s Supper and church discipline informed the leading lights of subsequent Reformers like Calvin, Bucer, and Melanchthon. Poythress artfully re-introduces Oecolampadius to twenty-first-century readers by leading them on a well-rounded tour of his life, reforming activities, hermeneutics, Reformed convictions, and commentaries. Reformer of Basel houses a wealth of historical and theological detail and will prove to be an important addition to Reformation studies. A must-read for all those who cherish their Reformation heritage." - Robert Caldwell, Assistant Professor of Church History,Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Dr. Diane Poythress has produced a book that is both informative and inspiring. Informative because she brings needed data to our attention about a too-little-known figure of the Reformation in Basel, who not only influenced better-known Reformers but also did important theological work, especially in hermeneutics, ecclesiology, church polity, and even church and state. Inspiring because Oecolampadius was both learned and godly, and focus upon such a life is sure to encourage other pilgrims in their journey. Diane is to be thanked and congratulated for foregrounding Oecolampadius and translating some of his rarely read work so that we can all get to know him and the God that he sought to glorify better."- Alan D. Strange, Associate Professor of Church History,Mid-America Reformed Seminary

"In his day, Oecolampadius attracted the likes of Erasmus and Luther. It’s not too much of a stretch to claim that his exegetical and grammatical work in Hebrew and Greek stands behind the return to the Bible and the world-changing preaching of the Reformation. Yet he has become a forgotten soul today. This book corrects that. Thanks to the tireless and deft efforts of Dr. Diane Poythress, this great voice from the past once again speaks to the church with clarity and conviction. Oecolampadius and we too are in her debt."- Stephen J. Nichols, Research Professor of Christianityand Culture, Lancaster Bible College

"This work on Oecolampadius by Diane Poythress is an enchiridion on the Reformation. The life of the subject himself is a wonder of providence. His connections through personal contact or by theological and literary influence with the other major Reformers give an instructive picture of the organic relations of ideas in the development of Reformation thought and demonstrate the pivotal substantive nature of his influence on all aspects of the Reformation.Poythress has done a masterful job of laying out the linguistic skills of the Basel Reformer as well as the more subtle and broadly demanding aspects of his full hermeneutical method. She has given a succinct yet sufficiently nuanced presentation of his Reformation theology and the relentless way in which he discussed all doctrine from a christocentric interpretation of the biblical text. Her presentation of Oecolampadius’s instructions, and practice, about the importance of preaching is a sobering and encouraging word to any generation. In an immaculately scholarly and trustworthy presentation, Poythress has also managed to be highly accessible to readers, transparently devoted to Reformation theology, and seriously encouraging to biblical piety."- Tom J. Nettles, Professor of Historical Theology,The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"In Reformer of Basel Diane Poythress introduces us to a generally overlooked early Reformer who was, in her apt metaphor, a funnel’ who collected the wisdom of the past and poured it into his times. She documents the importance of Oecolampadius in the development of typological exegesis, his striving to reform the discipline of the church, and his remarkable capacity for friendship with other first-generation Reformers. As Dr. Poythress observes and ably demonstrates, if John Calvin is the father of the Reformed churches, he is also the son of Johannes Oecolampadius."- John R. Muether, Professor of Church History,Reformed Theological Seminary (Orlando)

"In The Reformer of Basel: The Life, Thought, and Influence of Johannes Oecolampadius, Diane Poythress provides a fresh reason to probe the lives and thinking of little-acknowledged figures of the Protestant Reformation. Oecolampadius, literally, the house lamp,’ brought to light what became the distinguishing features of Reformed Christianity. In this excellent biographical and thematic study of the Reformer of Baselone of the very few in EnglishPoythress probes his pioneering work in original languages, exegetical and historical studies, liturgy, church discipline, guidance to pastors, and balance of intellect and pious devotion. Commentator on over twenty biblical books, historian unpacking the labors of early fathers such as Chrysostom, John of Damascus, and Augustine, the Reformer of Basel foreshadowed what was best to be found in Bucer and Calvin. Zwingli had ample reason to call Oecolampadius’s works a cornucopia.’ An additional benefit of this fine work is Poythress’s summaries of Oecolampadius’s interaction with his contemporary Reformers and his influence on reformations occurring in other European countries."- Andrew Hoffecker, Emeritus Professor of Church History,Reformed Theological Seminary (Jackson)

"Those with a nodding acquaintance with the name and ministry of Johannes Oecolampadius have longed for a fuller introduction in English of this sixteenth-century Reformer’s life and thought. This is what Dr. Diane Poythress’s book provides. Usually associated with his contemporary German-Swiss Reformer Ulrich Zwingli, partly for his participation in the Marburg Colloquy of 1529 and partly for his death at age forty-nine just six weeks after Zwingli was killed in battle in 1531, Oecolampadius is shown here to have anticipated many of the reforming insights and activities of Martin Bucer and John Calvin. These appear in such areas as church discipline, the role of the elder, exegesis, and biblical theology. This scholarly and godly figure is one that twenty-firstcentury ministers and theologians can profit from knowing and emulating."- William S. Barker, Emeritus Professor of Church History,Westminster Theological Seminary

"So how does one describe a book that is in a category by itself ? Definitive? Indispensible? Pioneering? Essential? Perhaps better than providing a description, let me offer thanks to Diane Poythress for her labor in preparing this unique gift. And let me urge all who love the Reformation and/or desire to know what has been up to now an overlooked theologian of that movement to read this exceptional, well-researched, and well-written book." - Gregg R. Allison, Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and author ofHistorical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine

"Dr. Diane Poythress has written the sole work that reveals for the Englishspeaking world the significant contributions of Oecolampadius. Here is a man who, as a fountainhead of the Reformation, championed and developed widely known Protestant doctrines and practices, strengthened those beliefs by appealing to patristic support for them, had a hand in the 1516 edition of the Greek New Testament of Desiderius Erasmus, interacted with luminaries like Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli, exerted significant influence on John Calvin and his reforming measures in Geneva, successfully confronted the corrupt Catholic Church of his day, and transformed Basel into a Reformed city (while restructuring the city government, schools, and university), interceded for the Anabaptists, and much more.

"Dr. Poythress also provides an English translation of part of Oecolampadius’s Isaiah commentary, giving her readers a sweet appetizer to the banquet of theology found at Oecolampadius’s theological table. This work will satisfy scholars but will be a blessing to any reader. It is highly recommended, and the Christian community is indebted to Dr. Poythress and her publisher for making this great work available to us."- Richard C. Gamble, Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary

"Poythress introduces her readers to Oecolampadius’s life in its historical context. She traces his vast influence throughout Europe and helps the reader to understand why he is so important by presenting an annotated bibliography of his prodigious writings. With great depth of learning (including comparing his work with Greek fathers), she points out Oecolampadius’s exegetical insights and contributions as well as his hermeneutical theory. Not content with that significant contribution, she also shows the scope of the Basel Reformer’s theology.

"It is indeed a joy to be able to read about the life and times of Basel’s great Reformer, Johannes Oecolampadius, from Dr. Diane Poythress’s pen. She writes in a very engaging style that helps to make the long-ago events of the sixteenth century come alive. Her presentation is scholarly, engaging with all the sources in a number of languages, correctly critical (when authors refuse to see the clear hand of God at action and ascribe secular’ motivation), but most importantly introduces to English readers a beautiful facet of God’s great reforming work in Switzerland.

"Johannes Oecolampadius is one of the forgotten heroes of the Reformation. Diane Poythress has put the modern church in her debt by recalling his great achievements in the city of Basel and more widely through his influential biblical commentaries. It is a fascinating study."

"Unjustly forgotten for centuries, Johannes Oecolampadius of Basel was a prolific pioneer reformer. As a linguist and exegete he was matched only by Calvin, for whom his writings were a valued resource. But here, at least, is a worthy survey of his life and work. Exhaustive without being exhausting, and solidly learned while easy to read, this is a volume of major importance for all students of Reformed thought."