Abraham Scultetus
Encyclopedia
Abraham Scultetus was a German professor of theology, and the court preacher for the Elector
of the Palatinate Frederick V
.
(now Zielona Góra
in Poland]] and was brought up as a Lutheran. He began his studies in theology in 1588 in Wittenberg
and then in 1590 in Heidelberg
. When he became Reformed and gave up his Lutheranism is unknown. By 1595 he was working for the Elector of the Palatinate, who at that time was Frederick IV. He continued to serve the churches of the Palatinate and accompanied Frederick V on his honeymoon with his wife Elisabeth, daughter of King James I of England, in 1613. He served Frederick V as his court preacher and also became a Professor of Old Testament in Heidelberg in 1618. He also apparently helped introduce the Reformed Church order used in the Palatinate into the Hanau district under Count Phillip II as well as setting men as ministers in Berlin to serve the Reformed church there in 1614.
, and was prominent there. He preached a sermon on Psalm 122
on 15 December, and also gave an address on the certainty of grace. Some held that Scultetus was the most prominent foreigner at the Synod along with George Carleton
, Bishop of Llandaff
from England. He agreed with the condemnation of the Remonstrants and the doctrinal decrees of the Synod.
. He served as a preacher there for the remaining years of his life. He died in 1625 at Emden.
Prince-elector
The Prince-electors of the Holy Roman Empire were the members of the electoral college of the Holy Roman Empire, having the function of electing the Roman king or, from the middle of the 16th century onwards, directly the Holy Roman Emperor.The heir-apparent to a prince-elector was known as an...
of the Palatinate Frederick V
Frederick V, Elector Palatine
Frederick V was Elector Palatine , and, as Frederick I , King of Bohemia ....
.
Early life
Abraham was born in Grünberg in Schlesien in SilesiaSilesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
(now Zielona Góra
Zielona Góra
Zielona Góra is a city in Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland, with 117,557 inhabitants within the city limits and 294,000 inhabitants within the metropolitan area, including three neighbouring counties ....
in Poland]] and was brought up as a Lutheran. He began his studies in theology in 1588 in Wittenberg
Wittenberg
Wittenberg, officially Lutherstadt Wittenberg, is a city in Germany in the Bundesland Saxony-Anhalt, on the river Elbe. It has a population of about 50,000....
and then in 1590 in Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
. When he became Reformed and gave up his Lutheranism is unknown. By 1595 he was working for the Elector of the Palatinate, who at that time was Frederick IV. He continued to serve the churches of the Palatinate and accompanied Frederick V on his honeymoon with his wife Elisabeth, daughter of King James I of England, in 1613. He served Frederick V as his court preacher and also became a Professor of Old Testament in Heidelberg in 1618. He also apparently helped introduce the Reformed Church order used in the Palatinate into the Hanau district under Count Phillip II as well as setting men as ministers in Berlin to serve the Reformed church there in 1614.
Synod of Dort
Scultetus was chosen as a representative of the Palatinate for the Synod of DortSynod of Dort
The Synod of Dort was a National Synod held in Dordrecht in 1618-1619, by the Dutch Reformed Church, to settle a divisive controversy initiated by the rise of Arminianism. The first meeting was on November 13, 1618, and the final meeting, the 154th, was on May 9, 1619...
, and was prominent there. He preached a sermon on Psalm 122
Psalm 122
Psalm 122 is the 122nd psalm from the Book of Psalms. It is one of 15 psalms that begins with the words "A song of ascents" .The text:Psalm 122A song of ascents...
on 15 December, and also gave an address on the certainty of grace. Some held that Scultetus was the most prominent foreigner at the Synod along with George Carleton
George Carleton
George Carleton was an English churchman, Bishop of Llandaff . He was a delegate to the Synod of Dort, in the Netherlands. From 1619 to 1628 he was Bishop of Chichester.-Life:...
, Bishop of Llandaff
Bishop of Llandaff
The Bishop of Llandaff is the Ordinary of the Church in Wales Diocese of Llandaff.-Area of authority:The diocese covers most of the County of Glamorgan. The Bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul , in the village of Llandaff, just north-west of the City of...
from England. He agreed with the condemnation of the Remonstrants and the doctrinal decrees of the Synod.
Role with the Winter King
On 26 August 1619 Frederick V, the Elector of the Palatinate, was elected King of Bohemia. If he took the crown there would be war, that was known and certain. Abraham Scultetus, as the court preacher, had significant influence on Frederick and urged him to accept the crown of Bohemia in order to spread Protestantism. He even preached a sermon from Revelation encouraging Frederick to take the throne. Scultetus would accompany Frederick to Bohemia and serve him there. Scultetus did try to install the Reformed church order on the highly Lutheran area of Bohemia, and it caused some problems. In the end, the Emperor overcame Frederick and he was forced to flee. Scultetus accompanied Frederick back to Heidelberg, but war soon found them there as well. Scultetus was forced to flee again. This time he went to EmdenEmden
Emden is a city and seaport in the northwest of Germany, on the river Ems. It is the main city of the region of East Frisia; in 2006, the city had a total population of 51,692.-History:...
. He served as a preacher there for the remaining years of his life. He died in 1625 at Emden.