Caspar Olevian
Kaspar Olevianus (or Caspar Olevian) (10 August 1536 – 15 March 1587) was a significant German Reformed theologian during the Protestant Reformation and along with Zacharius Ursinus was formerly said to be co-author of the Heidelberg Catechism. That theory of authorship has been questioned by modern scholarship.[1][2]
Born in Trier, Olevianus was the son of a baker and attended school in Paris where he studied humanism. He went on to study law at Bourges and came under the influence of Reformation teaching. Upon returning to Trier his beliefs came into conflict with those of the local clergy. In 1560 he was invited by the Elector Palatinate Frederick III to come teach at the University of Heidelberg. After the Elector's death his son, who was strongly Lutheran in conviction, attempted to turn the school away from Reformed doctrine set forth in the Heidelberg catechism. Olevianus was banned from teaching but he was able to move to Berleburg. There, in 1578, he published a commentary on Galatians with a preface by Theodore Beza.
Olevianus published several works on the Covenant of Grace. In 1584 he moved to Herborn and became rector of the university there. He died in 1587 surrounded by friends and supporters and was buried in Herborn. On his deathbed he was asked "Are you undoubtedly sure of your salvation, as you taught others constantly?" His reply was "Most certain!"
External links
References
- ^ Lyle Bierma, “The Purpose and Authorship of the Heidelberg Catechism,” in An Introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism: Sources, History, and Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005), 67.
- ^ J.F. Gerhard Goeters, “Zur Geschichte des Katechismus,” in Heidelberger Katechismus: Revidierte Ausgabe 1997, 3rd ed. (Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener Verlag, 2006), 89.
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