Thomas Coleman facts for kids

Thomas Coleman (1598–1647) was an English clergyman. He was known for his great knowledge of the Hebrew language. This skill earned him the nickname 'Rabbi Coleman'. He also held a strong belief called the Erastian view of church power. This meant he thought the government should have control over the church, not religious leaders.

In a very important meeting called the Westminster Assembly, he was a main leader of the Erastian group. He worked alongside a lawyer named John Selden. Selden admired Coleman and mentioned him in his own writings.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Coleman was born in Oxford, England. In 1615, he started studying at Magdalen Hall, Oxford. He earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1618. Then, in 1621, he received his master's degree (M.A.). After his studies, he became a priest.

For a while, he worked as a rector (a type of church leader) in Blyton in Lincolnshire. In 1642, he moved to become the rector of St. Peter's, Cornhill in London. A historian named Anthony Wood wrote that Coleman passed away early in 1647.

His Ideas and Writings

Thomas Coleman wrote and published several sermons and short books. His main ideas focused on how the church should be run.

Coleman was a strong believer in the Erastian view. This idea suggests that the government or state should have the final say in church matters. He believed that the state should be in charge of discipline and order, even for religious people.

He often disagreed with other groups, like the Presbyterians and Independents, who thought the church should have more control over its own rules and members. Coleman argued that leaving church matters to religious groups alone could lead to disorder. He thought the state was better equipped to keep things organized.

Some historians believe that Coleman's ideas were similar to those of another famous thinker, Thomas Hobbes. Hobbes later wrote a very important book called Leviathan. Both Coleman and Hobbes thought that a strong government was needed to maintain order in society. They believed that without it, there would be chaos.

Coleman and others who shared his views were Calvinists. This is a type of Protestant Christian belief. They thought that people who did not follow good rules needed to be disciplined. However, they did not believe that only church leaders should be the ones to enforce this discipline. Instead, they thought the government should play a big role.

Coleman's ideas were important during a time when England was debating how much power the church should have compared to the government. He argued that trying to understand and follow "God's Mind" through religious leaders alone was difficult. He felt that relying on the state for order was a more practical approach.