The Magdeburg Confession of 1550 and The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates

[Daniel L]

These works are very important for the Church and the world at this moment, if it is not too late. It is tragic that the Magdeburg Confession is mostly unknown today.

 

The Magdeburg Confession of 1550 "This is the first ever English translation of the historic Magdeburg Confession. The translation work was done from a 1550 Latin original of the Confession. The Magdeburg Confession is the first known document in the history of man to formally set forth the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates. The Lesser Magistrate Doctrine teaches that when a superior authority makes unjust laws or decrees, the lesser authority has a God-given right and duty to resist those unjust laws or decrees." (full article)

 

"History is rife with many important events that occurred because of the Lesser Magistrate Doctrine. The effects of these events even had a huge impact upon the thinking of our founders and upon our nation’s people regarding government and law. The Magdeburg Confession is one of history’s most important events involving the lesser magistrate doctrine. Men like John Knox, Theodore Beza and Phillip Mornay were deeply impacted by The Magdeburg Confession and the repercussions of this great writing were felt throughout western civilization all the way to the founding of America as a nation. Now, for the first time in over 460 years, English-speaking people can read the Confession for themselves." (full article)

 

Translated by Dr. Matthew Colvin, Ph.D. in Latin and Greek Literature from Cornell University. It would be nice to have the original Latin, as well.

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform (owned by Amazon)

 

The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates: A Proper Resistance to Tyranny and a Repudiation of Unlimited Obedience to Civil Government by Pastor Matthew J. Trewhella

Description is here.

Edited November 22, 2021 by Daniel L