Adam Neuser

Adam Neuser (about 1530, Gunzenhausen - 1576) was a Protestant pastor of Heidelberg who held Antitrinitarian views.

Adam Neuser was a popular pastor and theologian in Heidelberg in the 1560s serving at the Peterskirche and later the Heiliggeistkirche. During the controversy over church discipline that developed in the late 1560s, Neuser became a leading member of the Antidisciplinist, and thus anti-Calvinist, faction led by Thomas Erastus.[1] His disaffection with the ecclesiastical regime perhaps played some role in his doubts concerning Orthodox Christian dogma.[2] He wrote letters sternly attacking the doctrine of the trinity. He wrote to the Ottoman Sultan assuring Sultan that he would receive support in Germany if his conquests push him that far.[3] Neuser along with another Antitrinitarian, Johann Sylvan, sought to dialog with the Turks.[4] Neuser was accused of denying divinity to Jesus Christ and was consequently imprisoned.[5] His associate, Johann Sylvan was tortured and beheaded. Neuser confessed but managed to break out of prison.[6] He later converted to Islam[7] and traveled to Istanbul where he served the Ottoman Sultan.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ Gunnoe, Thomas Erastus and the Palatinate, p. 200
  2. ^ Burchill, The Heidelberg Antitrinitarians, 87-88.
  3. ^ A history of Unitarianism, Volume 1, by Earl Morse Wilbur, pg. 259
  4. ^ The medieval heritage in early modern metaphysics and modal theory, 1400-1700 By Russell L. Friedman, Lauge Olaf Nielsen, pg.152
  5. ^ Lessing's theological writings: selections in translation By Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Henry Chadwick, pg.12
  6. ^ The medieval heritage in early modern metaphysics and modal theory, 1400-1700 By Russell L. Friedman, Lauge Olaf Nielsen, pg. 152
  7. ^ Gotthold Ephraim Lessing: his life and his works By Helen Zimmern, pg. 312
  8. ^ The suffering servant: Isaiah 53 in Jewish and Christian sources By Bernd Janowski, Peter Stuhlmacher, pg. 425

Further reading