Johann Westermann (theologian)

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Johann Westermann (* around 1490 in Münster , † 1542 in Hofgeismar ) was a Protestant theologian and reformer.

Life

Westermann comes from a family of craftsmen in Münster. Where and when he entered the Augustinian Hermit Order is not certain. As early as 1510 he was studying in Wittenberg . It is not known when he became prior in the Lippstadt convent. When the movement emanating from Martin Luther was taken up in the Augustinian monasteries, Westermann was also affected by it.

He and his friar Koeten moved to Wittenberg for the second time in 1522. This time it was about the doctorate. Westermann received a baccalaureus biblicus and licentiate. The theses on which he had to dispute have been preserved. Under the chairmanship of Andreas Bodenstein , the doctorate took place in 1523 , which led to a sensational appearance by Bodenstein.

After his return to Lippstadt , Westermann developed a lively preaching activity there, which left its mark on the citizens. In 1524/25 Westermann had two books printed in Lippstadt; one contained sermons on the Ten Commandments, the other was called “Eyn suverlyke underwysinge, wy men beden schal” . These have had a strong effect beyond the borders of Lippstadt.

In November / December 1533 Westermann stayed in his hometown to help Theodor Fabricius draw up a church ordinance for Münster. At that time he also preached several times, but was unable to assert himself against the Anabaptist masses. When he returned to Lippstadt, the city was soon besieged and conquered.

Due to the recession of 1535, which the city had to close with the sovereign, Duke Johann von Kleve , Westermann was forced to leave the city. Landgrave Philipp received him in Hesse and gave him the parish office in Geismar . From there he participated in church-regulating activities in the county of Lippe in 1538 and 1541 . He died in Hofgeismar in 1542. Burkard Waldis took over his pastor .

literature

  • Emil Knodt : D. Johann Westermann, the reformer of Lippstadt, and his so-called catechism, the oldest literary monument of the Evangelical Church in Westphalia. A contribution to the history of the Westphalian Reformation and the catechism . Gotha 1895.
  • Norbert Nagel , Robert Peters: Dr. Johannes Westermann from Lippstadt: Life - Language - Work. With an annotated text edition of his Low German writings from 1524 and 1525. Münster 2018.
  • Heinrich Niemöller : Reformation history of Lippstadt (= writings of the association for Reformation history. Vol. 91). Hall 1906.
  • Otto R. RedlichWestermann, Johann . In: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB). Volume 42, Duncker & Humblot, Leipzig 1897, p. 186.
  • Robert Stupperich : Faith and Politics in the Westphalian Reformation History . In: Yearbook of the Association for Westphalian Church History. Vol. 45/46 (1952/53), pp. 97–121, here: page 103.
  • Herbert Westermann: Westphalian reformer D. Johannes Westermann. 2nd Edition. Dortmund 1992.
  • Herbert Westermann: D. Johannes Westermann . In: Lippstädter Heimatblätter. Lippstadt 1999. P. 73 ff.
  • Herbert Westermann: Johann Westermann . In: Westphalian pictures of life. Volume 16, ed. by Robert Stupperich. Münster 2000, p. 46 ff. (There further extensive literature references).

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