The Magdeburg Confession: 13th of April 1550 AD

by Pastors of Magdeburg, Matthew Colvin (Translator), George Grant (Introduction)

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 Magistrate. 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. In 1548, Charles V imposed his infamous Augsburg Interim which was an attempt to smash the Protestant Reformation. While all of Protestant Germany conformed to his decree, one city decided to take a stand and resist his authority – the city of Magdeburg. The pastors of Magdeburg issued their Confession and Defense of the Pastors and Other Ministers of the Church of Magdeburg on April 13, 1550 AD. Five months after issuing their Confession, Charles V’s forces marched on Magdeburg. What the pastors of Magdeburg wrote in the Confession significantly impacted men like John Knox, Theodore Beza and Phillip Mornay. The repercussions of the Confession were felt throughout Western Civilization all the way to the founding of America as a nation. For over 460 years, the Confession has existed only in Latin and German. Now English-speaking people can read it for themselves. This is the first English translation of The Magdeburg Confession ever written. Dr. Matthew Colvin holds a Ph.D. in Latin and Greek Literature from Cornell University.

Genres: Theology, History, Politics, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian, Church History

126 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2012

Reviews

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Should be used as a companion volume to The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates.

[Thomas Duell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible moment in church history. Thank you to Matthew Colvin for bringing this to the English language. In particular the definition of "levels" of tyranny that the Magdeburg pastors established was especially helpful. Would that more pastors be rooted in the political theology of Scripture like these men were.

[Jeremiah Gumm · Rating 3 out of 5]

An important historical and theological document finally translated into English. Notes and commentary rather underwhelming in that they sometimes struggle to grasp what the Lutherans we're actually saying. Translation reflects in many ways the original structure, so it is not easy to read in English. Nevertheless, this is an important primary source for further study.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true and faithful confession

Those who have read "The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates" will find in this confession everything that was good in that book.

I recommend that you skip the introductory material. It tries to impose on the people of Magdeburg a theology they rejected.

If you want to know more of their theology, read the Book of Concord.

[James Aaron Kirkpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear expression of the doctrine of lesser magistrates. Would be good for Christian office-holders to read so they know how to refuse to do evil, even when ordered to do evil, and to articulate their grounds for doing so.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

In terms of historical impact after Luther this is the Lutherans' finest hour.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very important historical document, and an able translation.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a treasure, translated for the first time. Read this with Trewhella's The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates.

[Joshua Horn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I skimmed this book, only reading particular sections. I'd like to come back at some point and read it cover to cover. I appreciate the work that went into getting this translated for a modern audience. I also found the history behind it fascinating, and would love to learn more at some point. One point that the book wasn't really making, but that I was thinking about, was idea of when to unify, when to stand up, and when to condemn others for not supporting you. The Christians in Magdebug seemed to think that the church in Germany that had not gathered with them there had basically apostatized. Yet a few years later it seemed evident that God was preserving them, even though they may have faltered when they should have stood up. These things are hard to know how to handle, and even when we are firmly convinced in our own minds, I think we need to have grace towards others who have reached a different conclusion.

There's certainly some valuable ideas in here, and I'd encourage Christians to read this in the times that we are in to prepare for the present and future.

[Tim Zornes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank Magdeburg For America

This confession presents the doctrine of the lesser magistrate as poignantly as you can imagine. It expresses the Christian duty to defy tyrants in obedience to God when the tyrant is not in lawful submission to God’s word.
This confession was written by Lutheran pastors so I did not agree with some of their views on the sacraments and various other theological points. Regardless, the second of the three sections is a a great confession on when, how, and why lower magistrates are to resist higher magistrates. Gives a biblical foundation for why we should not automatically roll over and listen to everything every magistrate decrees. This document paved the way for the founding documents and checks-and-balances system of America. It was these spheres of sovereignty and checks and balances that contributed to America’s founding.

[Mason Goodknight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book with great history and insight to this much neglected the doctrine.

So few have ever heard of either the doctrine of the lesser magistrate or Magdeburg and the confession. This book will remedy both.

[Christopher Brehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and so very applicable and much needed in the church in our day.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely interesting book, first time transcribed into English regarding the logic the first Protestants used to justify resistance to unjust governments. Fascinating.

[Timothy Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foundational. This will be a great historical resource for the church going into the future.

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three arguments in favor of public resistance in some cases for some Christians. Unconvincing.

[Cullen Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Required reading for those entering ministry. This is a slice of history which echoes richly, sadly and pointedly today.

[Joshua Lister · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the broader historical narrative that this is a part of but part are so "wordy" that it is difficult to know exactly what is being said. Per a recommendation, I read this simultaneously with "The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates" by Matthew Trewhella and this is a good idea, in order to understand the historical and religious significance of the confession. Much of it is a recapitulation of the "Augsburg Confession" with a portion dedicated to Christian disobedience and this latter part is the bread and butter.

[Davis Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very important and necessary read not only for historical reasons, but also as one of the most clear and elegant statements of the right of rebellion based on natural law ethics, perhaps even more so even than the Declaration of Independence. The supplementary material in this edition leaves a lot lacking, though—the writers approach it through extremely tinted Reformed/Presbyterian glasses which prevents them from really entering into the Lutheran milieu of the Magdeburgers. Thankfully, there is now a new edition/translation from Concordia Publishing House that should be the go-to.

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating piece of Church history

This document was only recently discovered and translated from Latin. It describes the last stand of the last city in Germany to remain faithful to the Reformation. Without the courage of this city and their Biblical understanding of legitimate resistance led by the inferior magistrate, the Reformation could have been almost completely wiped out.

[Erika Schanzenbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful book. Not as easily digested as Trewhella's Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates book since the bulk of this book is the translation of the Magdeburg Confession. It does include some setup of the context though to help the reader understand the historical context of the confession.

[Peter Clegg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This confession and the historical context contained herein were a vital instrument in the reformation and in the resistance against the tyranny of the RCC and it's minions. However it contains some Lutheran theological errors as well as eschatological confusion so I could not give it five stars.

[K B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read - defines and inaugurates the lesser magistrate doctrine. The Protestants of Europe and the founders of America were already clue in because of this doctrine.