Sinai and the Areopagus: Philip Melanchthon, Natural Law, and the Beginnings of Athenian Legal History in the Shadow of the Schmalkaldic War.

  • Published In: Journal of the History of Ideas, 2024, v. 85, n. 4. P. 713 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Batson, Alexander D. 3 of 3

Abstract

In late August 1546, Philip Melanchthon, a key figure in the German Reformation, faced a tumultuous period marked by Martin Luther's death and the onset of the Schmalkaldic War. Despite the political crisis, Melanchthon published the Collatio actionum forensium Atticarum et Romanarum praecipuarum, a study comparing the legal actions of Athens and Rome based on the Ten Commandments. Melanchthon's work highlighted the importance of ancient pagan laws in demonstrating the natural law's influence on legal and moral principles, essential for Christian moral development. The Collatio, while not explicitly advocating for resistance, showcased Melanchthon's broader political writings during the Schmalkaldic War, emphasizing the natural law as a universal standard for civil and legal values, justifying Protestant resistance against Charles V. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of the History of Ideas. 2024/10, Vol. 85, Issue 4, p713
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Religion and Philosophy
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:0022-5037
  • DOI:10.1353/jhi.2024.a944583
  • Accession Number:181073701
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