Justus Jonas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Justus Jonas
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | June 5, 1493 |
| Died | October 5, 1555 (aged 62) |
| Nationality | German |
| Education | University of Erfurt |
| Theological work | |
| Signature | |
 |
|
Justus Jonas (born June 5, 1493 – died October 9, 1555) was an important German Lutheran leader. He was a theologian, a professor, and a hymn writer. Jonas is most famous for translating the works of Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon. He was also a close friend of Martin Luther and was with him when Luther died.
Early Life and Studies
Justus Jonas was born in Nordhausen, Thuringia, Germany. His father was the mayor of the town. His birth name was Jodokus Koch. Like many scholars back then, he changed his name when he went to university.
He started studying at the University of Erfurt in 1506. He learned about law and other subjects. In 1510, he earned his Master of Arts degree. Later, he went to the University of Wittenberg and studied law there too. Around 1514, he became a priest.
A Leader in the Reformation
In 1518, Jonas became a church official at St. Severus Church in Erfurt. The next year, he became the head of the University of Erfurt. In 1521, he moved to Wittenberg. There, he became a church leader at All Saints' Church, Wittenberg and a professor at the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg.
Jonas was first inspired by a famous scholar named Erasmus. This led him to study Greek, Hebrew, and the Bible. But it was after a big debate in 1519 that Martin Luther convinced him to join the Protestant Reformation. Jonas even went with Luther to the Diet of Worms in 1521. This was a very important meeting where Luther defended his beliefs.
When Luther was hiding in the Wartburg castle, Jonas was very active in Wittenberg. He preached and wrote a lot. He helped the Reformation by translating Luther's and Melanchthon's writings. He turned their German works into Latin and their Latin works into German. This made their ideas available to more people. Jonas also helped Luther translate the Bible into German.
Hymns and Later Life
Justus Jonas also wrote hymns. One of his hymns, In Jesu Namen wir heben an (In the name of Jesus we begin), was in the first Lutheran hymnal in 1524. Another famous hymn he wrote was Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält, which was based on Psalm 124. Many composers, including Bach, used this hymn in their music.
For the next twenty years, Jonas was busy with meetings and diplomatic work. He helped princes understand the Reformation. In 1531, he translated an important document called the Apology of the Augsburg Confession into German.
In 1541, he started preaching in Halle. He became the superintendent of churches there. He also became a priest at the Market Church of Our Dear Lady.
Martin Luther visited Jonas in Halle in 1545 when he was very sick. Jonas was with Luther when he died in Eisleben. Jonas even preached at Luther's funeral. Soon after, Jonas was forced to leave the area by Maurice, Duke of Saxony. He spent his last years traveling and preaching. He died in Eisfeld, Thuringia, in 1555, at 62 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Justus Jonas para niños
- Christian humanism
