Johannes Acronius
Encyclopedia
Johannes Acronius was a German Reformed theologian
. He is less known by scientific works, than by his part in the quarrel between Arminians
(Remonstrants) and Contra-Remonstrants (see History of Calvinist–Arminian debate).
, now in the municipality of Krummhörn
. He was taught by Zacharias Ursinus
and Franciscus Junius
in Neustadt an der Hardt, today Neustadt an der Weinstrasse. In 1584 he became a preacher in Eilsum, East Frisia, later in Groningen and Wesel
. He declined a call to Deventer
. In 1617 he became professor for theology
at the University of Franeker
.
In the following year he was called to work as preacher in Kampen
, mainly to counter some of his colleagues in this area who were deemed too favourable towards Arminius' teachings. Being the delegate of the church assembly of Dordrecht
in 1618-1619, he indeed accused them of Arminianism, resulting in the unseating of several.
In 1619 he went to work as a preacher in Haarlem
where he stayed until his death. The Calvinists
of the time saw in him an educated man of oratory skills, with the fervour to stand for their truth
. His opponents described him as an unsettled man with a tendency to polemise.
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
. He is less known by scientific works, than by his part in the quarrel between Arminians
Arminianism
Arminianism is a school of soteriological thought within Protestant Christianity based on the theological ideas of the Dutch Reformed theologian Jacobus Arminius and his historic followers, the Remonstrants...
(Remonstrants) and Contra-Remonstrants (see History of Calvinist–Arminian debate).
Life
He was the son of a preacher, Dominicus Acronius, in a village north of 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:...
, now in the municipality of Krummhörn
Krummhörn
Krummhörn is a municipality in the district of Aurich, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated near the Ems estuary, approximately 15 km southwest of Norden, and 10 km northwest of Emden....
. He was taught by Zacharias Ursinus
Zacharias Ursinus
Zacharias Ursinus was a sixteenth century German Reformed theologian, born Zacharias Baer in Breslau . He became the leading theologian of the Reformed Protestant movement of the Palatinate, serving both at the University of Heidelberg and the College of Wisdom...
and Franciscus Junius
Franciscus Junius (the elder)
Franciscus Junius , also known as Francis Junius, Franz Junius, and François du Jon, was a Huguenot scholar and theologian, and the father of Franciscus Junius the younger.-Life:...
in Neustadt an der Hardt, today Neustadt an der Weinstrasse. In 1584 he became a preacher in Eilsum, East Frisia, later in Groningen and Wesel
Wesel
Wesel is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the capital of the Wesel district.-Division of the town:Suburbs of Wesel include Lackhausen, Obrighoven, Ginderich, Feldmark,Fusternberg, Büderich, Flüren and Blumenkamp.-History:...
. He declined a call to Deventer
Deventer
Deventer is a municipality and city in the Salland region of the Dutch province of Overijssel. Deventer is largely situated on the east bank of the river IJssel, but also has a small part of its territory on the west bank. In 2005 the municipality of Bathmen Deventer is a municipality and city in...
. In 1617 he became professor for theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at the University of Franeker
University of Franeker
The University of Franeker was a university in Franeker, Friesland, presently part of the Netherlands. It was the second oldest university of the Netherlands, founded shortly after Leiden University....
.
In the following year he was called to work as preacher in Kampen
Kampen
Campen or Kampen may refer:* Campen, Germany, a village by the Ems estuary, northwestern Germany, home of the Campen Lighthouse* Kampen, Germany, a municipality on the island Sylt, Germany* Kampen, Overijssel, a town in the Netherlands...
, mainly to counter some of his colleagues in this area who were deemed too favourable towards Arminius' teachings. Being the delegate of the church assembly of Dordrecht
Dordrecht
Dordrecht , colloquially Dordt, historically in English named Dort, is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, located in the province of South Holland. It is the fourth largest city of the province, having a population of 118,601 in 2009...
in 1618-1619, he indeed accused them of Arminianism, resulting in the unseating of several.
In 1619 he went to work as a preacher in Haarlem
Haarlem
Haarlem is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of North Holland, the northern half of Holland, which at one time was the most powerful of the seven provinces of the Dutch Republic...
where he stayed until his death. The Calvinists
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
of the time saw in him an educated man of oratory skills, with the fervour to stand for their truth
Truth
Truth has a variety of meanings, such as the state of being in accord with fact or reality. It can also mean having fidelity to an original or to a standard or ideal. In a common usage, it also means constancy or sincerity in action or character...
. His opponents described him as an unsettled man with a tendency to polemise.
Publications
- Syntagma Theologiae, Groningen, 1605
- Elenchus orthodoxus pseudo-relig. Romano-Cathol., Deventer, 1615
- Uytmonsteringe van verscheydene dolingen ... der genoemde Lutherschen, Arnheim, 1625
Sources
- Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie - online version
- Acronius, Johannes in the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online.