In today’s extra reading, we hear from Martin Chemnitz, one of the most important theologians of the Lutheran Reformation and a central figure in shaping Protestant theology after Luther himself. Often called the second Martin, Chemnitz played a decisive role in stabilizing Lutheran doctrine, helping author the Formula of Concord, and offering the most thorough Protestant response to the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation. In this selection from his Examination of the Council of Trent, Chemnitz engages the early Church Fathers with remarkable precision, showing that when they spoke of “unwritten traditions,” they referred not to extra-biblical dogmas, but to ancient rites shaped by pastoral wisdom, edification, and order. Drawing on Basil, Origen, Jerome, Augustine, and Paul himself, Chemnitz carefully distinguishes doctrine from ceremony, Scripture from custom, and apostolic teaching from later accretions. The result is a sober, historically grounded account of Christian tradition that affirms the value of ancient practices while firmly resisting any attempt to place human ceremonies on the level of divine revelation.

Readings: Martin Chemnitz — Examination of the Council of Trent, Volume 1, Section 7

Explore the Project:

Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org

#ThroughTheChurchFathers #MartinChemnitz #ChurchHistory #ChristianTradition #Reformation #SolaScriptura