Sammendrag
The life and work of Caspar Schwenckfeld (1489-1561), the reformer of Silesia, resulted in a paragraph of condemnation in the Formula of Concorde, and a denomination still existing: The Schwenckfeldians. Schwenckfeld was deeply influenced by the writings of Martin Luther, and in 1521 he convinced Duke Friedrich of Liegnitz, Silesia of the need for reformation. It became clear that Schwenckfeld's theology parted from Luther's in the understanding of justification, satisfaction and the bondage of the will. Schwenckfeld focused on «Erkenntnis Christi», the experiential knowledge of Christ given to the believers, leading to insight in divine mysteries and true knowledge in matters of faith. Schwenckfeld sought the inner spiritual truth that would lead Christians to real understanding of the Lord's Supper. Through his resurrection, Christ unites himself inwardly with the believers so that his spiritual, resurrected flesh and blood become their food. The Lord's Supper is truly an eating and drinking of spiritual bread and wine. Thus the divine seed of life within them receives nourishing, causing this divine life to soak man's entire being with Christ. Schwenckfeld's Christology seems to be rooted in neo-platonic ontology and epistemology, even if he argued that his special insight in the mutual relation of the three Persons in the Trinity was part of «Erkenntnis Christi», given him by the Spirit. In 1529 Schwenckfeld went into exile in Strasbourg, living in the house of Wolfgang Capito. His theology was condemned by the Protestants at Schmalcald in 1540.
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