Luther’s “First Father”
A German priest, theologian, and professor, St. Johannes von Staupitz was a man of many trades. Most well known for his mentorship of Martin Luther, von Staupitz supervised the reformer at a critical point in his theological development. He is considered by many to be one of the most interesting (although least known) figures in Luther’s inner circle in part because he remained subject to the papal obedience until his death.
Born in Motterwitz in about 1460, von Staupitz entered into the Augustinian order in his mid-twenties. By 1500 he had earned his doctorate, and in 1503 he was made Vicar General of all the Augustinian friars in Germany. It was during this period that he also became dean of the theology faculty at the University of Wittenberg when it was founded in 1502. Staupitz met Martin Luther at Erfurt in 1506 when he visited the order there and went on to advise the young friar, discussing with him matters of theology and encouraging Luther to go on for further academic study.
Staupitz himself was upset with the state of the Church and the corruption running rampant in the medieval era. Because of this, he wrote extensively about the need to remediate the institution in accordance with Christian faith and love of Christ. However, he did not see himself as a reformer. As he mentored Luther he saw the ways in which these same troubles bothered the young man and did his best to console him and speak the grace of God to him.
His relationship with Luther continued even after these early years, with the two of them crossing paths and discussing many of the issues that the reformer grappled with. When Luther received his doctorate in 1512, Staupitz resigned as Chair of Theology at Wittenberg so that Luther could have the position. Upon resigning, he moved to southern Germany and lived there while Luther’s theological convictions were coming to the fore. However, he continued to be a spiritual and psychological encouragement to him, and the reformer said of Staupitz, “He was my very first father…and bore me in Christ.”
In 1518 when the Pope charged the Augustinian Order to persuade Luther to retract his views, the task was given to Staupitz because of his authority. Staupitz invited Luther to address his confreres at Heidelberg (an event later known as the Heidelberg Disputation), but Luther did not back down. Eventually Staupitz released Luther from the Augustinian order. However, his connections with Luther came under suspicion, and in 1520 Pope Leo X demanded that Staupitz recant any heresy that he might have affirmed in his relationship with Luther. Staupitz refused, stating he never fully supported Luther’s teachings. He did ultimately, however, recognize the pope as his authority, distancing himself from the Reformation.
Luther was upset that Staupitz did not come with him in his theological journey, but Staupitz noted he could not condone Luther’s opposition to papal authority. Staupitz simply was not and did not desire to be Lutheran. Luther understandably viewed this position as a theological betrayal, and their relationship grew complicated. The formal excommunication of Luther was hard on Staupitz, and he retired, eventually leaving the Augustinian Order and joining the Benedictine Monastery in Salzburg. In his last letter to Luther in 1524, Staupitz stated that while he loved Luther greatly and said, “we owe much to you, Martin,” he also did not grasp all of Luther’s ideas. He died on December 28, 1524.
A Brief History
Staupitz is perhaps one of the least well known figures within the Reformation, but his story is extremely important to the history of Lutheranism. Thus, he is commemorated on the Lutheran calendar every November 8th and is included in the sanctoral calendar of the Lutheran Service Book. The day before Martin Chemnitz’s day on November 9th and close to Reformation Day on October 31st, Staupitz’s remembrance is worth putting on your radar as it helps make sense of the greater history surrounding the Lutheran Reformation.
It is clear that Luther maintained a deep debt of gratitude to Staupitz, even after their eventual drift away from each other, and both had the utmost respect for one another. They remained close friends until Staupitz’s death, and Luther stated that without this mentor and friend, he would have “sunk into hell.” This in itself is surely a great testament to Staupitz’s work in preaching God’s Word, and for that we give thanks.
Collect
May the faithful examples of Blessed Abbot Johannes, inspire us to trust Thee, we beseech Thee, O Lord: so that what we, who have no merits of our own, may obtain Thy grace; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost: ever one God, world without end. Amen
Lessons
Epistle
Gospel
Resources
Issues, Etc. interview with Dr. Markus Wriedt on Luther’s Father Confessor Johann Staupitz
Propers found in Daily Divine Service Book: A Lutheran Daily Missal, edited by the Rev. Heath Curtis
References:
1. Weedon, William. Celebrating the Saints. Concordia Publishing House. 2016.
2. Beinert, the Rev. Dr. Richard. “Johann von Staupitz: The Mentor.” 2016.
Images:
1. Johannes von Staupitz, Julius Köstlin, Germany, 1889.
2. Disputation Between Luther and Eck, Karl Friedrich Lessing, Germany, 1867.
3. Johann von Staupitz, Unknown, Austria, ca. 1600.
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