Sermon Illustrations for Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 (2014)
Genesis 29:15-28
Philipp Melanchthon was a German reformer who became a strong advocate and supporter of Martin Luther. When Luther was sequestered for his own safety in Wartburg Castle, Melanchthon became the temporary leader of the Reformation movement. Yet, Melanchthon was much more conciliatory than Luther. Melanchthon tried to keep the Lutherans and the Zwinglians in unity. He also did not fervently denounce the Pope as Luther did, but was willing to recognize the Pope as the leader in the temporal affairs of the church.