Johann Leyser

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Johann Leyser (born September 30, 1631 in Leipzig , † 1684 in France ) was a German Protestant theologian and Danish field preacher , but also an advocate of polygamy .

Live and act

Johann Leyser, son of Polykarp Leyser II. And Sabina Volckmar (1598–1634), studied theology in line with family tradition and in 1653, too, had achieved his master's degree and then pastor and inspector. He initially served as head of the Pforta state school in Schulpforte , a district of Bad Kösen . But he was soon dismissed from school because he had openly spoken out in favor of polygamy . His thesis was that polygamy corresponded to natural law and the customs of many peoples, was to be brought into harmony with the word of God and, for this reason, was not only permitted but in certain cases even required. In doing so, he referred to the Synod of Mâcon in 585 and claimed in his essay Triumph of Polygamy that the Synod had discussed the question of whether women were human at all. He followed up with several essays on his theses, some of them published under his pseudonym Theophilo Aletheo , as well as many pamphlets with other personalities of the time, such as the theologians Dieckmann, Johannes Musaeus or Johann Brunsmann, who denounced his theses as blasphemy and human contempt.

Leyser's search for work and thus for income was not crowned with success. Only his position as field chaplain in the army of King Christian V of Denmark and Norway is recorded in the annals. But this position did not last long either, as he was also detained here for the reason described above. This was followed by trips through Denmark , Sweden , England , Holland , Italy and France , which he financed through alms and donations from a few remaining friends. He spent the last years of his life in utter poverty, and he was probably not married either. His date of death is just as unknown as the exact place of death. He counts as an outsider of the Leyser family of scholars, who have been largely respected over many generations.

Works (selection)

  • Disputatio de Theologia naturali .
  • Vindicias Legis Monogamicae .
  • Polygamia triumphatrix . 1676
  • Discursus de polygamia . 1673
  • Discursus politicus de polygamia auctore Theophilo Aletheo . Freiburg 1674
  • The royal marrow of all countries . April 1685

literature

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Leyser, Johann
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German Lutheran theologian
DATE OF BIRTH September 30, 1631
PLACE OF BIRTH Leipzig
DATE OF DEATH 1684
Place of death France