Melanchthon and the Reformation

Melanchthon's acceptance of an appointment as professor of Greek in the University of Wittenberg -- an appointment tendered him by the elector of Saxony -- may be regarded as that act of his through which he joined himself to the movement of the Reformation. It took place in 1518, the year following Luther's writing and publication of his 95 theses. Melanchthon, feeling the spell of Luther's large personality and spiritual depth, seems to have been prepared on his first arrival at Wittenberg to...