Matthias Flacius and the Survival of Luther's Reform.Matthias Matthias, 1557–1619, Holy Roman emperor (1612–19), king of Bohemia (1611–17) and of Hungary (1608–18), son of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II. He was appointed governor of Austria (1593) by his brother, Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II. He formed a close association there with the bishop of Vienna, Melchior Klesl, who later became his chief adviser. Flacius and the Survival of Luther's Reform. By Oliver K. Olson. Wiesbaden Wiesbaden (vēs`bä'dən, vĭs`–), city (1994 pop. 270,873), capital of Hesse, central Germany, on the Rhine River, at the southern foot of the Taunus Mts. The city, an industrial center and a market for Rhine wines, is one of the most famous spas of Europe.: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2002. 428 pages. Cloth. $100.00. Oliver Olson's passion for the controversial Reformation theologian Matthias Flacius is evident from one's first encounter with this book. The title itself betrays Olson's desire to find a place for Flacius alongside the most prominent sixteenth-century Lutherans. The book chronicles the life and work of Flacius from his earliest days up to his time as a professor in Jena Jena (yā`nä), city (1994 pop. 100,090), Thuringia, E central Germany, on the Saale River. Manufactures of this industrial center include pharmaceuticals, glass, and optical and precision instruments.. The reader gets a heavy dose of Olson's devotion to Flacius and revulsion of Melanchthon, leading this reviewer to wonder whether Olson tends toward presenting a hagiography rather than a biography. Despite his somewhat overzealous and one-sided portrayal of the conflicts in which Flacius was a major player, Olson does a wonderful service to students of the early modern period of German history and theology. He provides many short translations of the work of Flacius otherwise unavailable in English. In addition, the comprehensive history of the development of the theology of Flacius to the time of his professorship in Jena is invaluable. And if that is not enough, the layout of the book is beautiful, containing many pieces of sixteenth-century art along with photos of early modern manuscripts. Finally, Olson offers a wonderfully comprehensive bibliography of the works of Flacius. The only drawback for a nonacademic audience would be its price tag. Nathan Montover Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago |
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