Melanchthon, WHO?

Most of us as Lutherans have heard about Martin Luther, obviously a critical person in our Lutheran history. But very few people have heard about a man named Philipp Melanchthon who also played a crucial role in the foundation of the Lutheran church and belief. Melanchthon was a colleague of Martin Luther, working with him to reform the church. He was a brillant scholar, known as the "teacher of Germany". He was a professor of Greek at the University of Wittenberg, which is where be became a friend of Martin Luther. Legends recall that even his classes that were offered at 6am, early in the morning, often had as many as 600 students in them. He was crucial in writing the Augsburg Confession, one of the cornerstone works for Lutherans throughout the world. One of the gifts, I believe, of our Lutheran heritage is our well thought out foundation. We have a well articulated belief system and theology. We are clear on our identity and heritage as well as appreciating the value of educating others in the faith. I am grateful to be a Lutheran, following in the path of Luther, his wife Katie, and many others like Phillip Melanchthon.