RELIGIOUS ENCYCLOPEDIA
Mappa
Marburg', Conlerence of
Lutheran Confession; and he understood this confession just as the later Lutheran theologians generally understood it. The sole canon which he applied in theological controversies was pure Lutheranism. From this doctrinal position he combated not only the Calvinists but the Schwenkfeldians and Anabaptists, who were still active at Strasburg; while, on the same platform, he accomplished the introduction of the Lutheran catechism at Strasburg (1554), and strove for the use of uniform hymnbooks and a common liturgy, though not with immediate success. He instituted private confession in the Church of St. Nicholas, and kept up there the rite of confirmation when it began to fall into disuse in other Strasburg churches. In the interest of a " uniform doctrine and confession," Marbach also took an active part in bringing about the acceptance of the Formula of Concord (q.v.), as is shown by his correspondence from 1567 with Jacob Andrea and Martin Chemnitz. Moreover, he prevailed with the Strasburg theologians to sign the Zerbst Formula (1571), while the official acceptance of the Formula of Concord was opposed by the town council. In the Palatinate he assisted Elector Ludwig, in 1576, to restore Lutheranism after the death of Frederick III. He was likewise eminently active (1564-78) in Zweibriicken (see Wolfgang, Count Palatine). This lean, stirring, industrious little man was by no means lacking in sincere piety, which did not exclude personal irritability, petty intrigues, and doubtful methods in the heat of conflict. Against the Jesuits and the superstitions favored by them he published a vigorous treatise, Von Mirakeln und W under zeichen (1571). Paul Grunberg.
Bibliography: Sources are Marbach's own writings; Die Strassburger Kirchenordnung of 1598; the Christliche Leichpredigt, Strasburg, 1612; G. Obreoht, Patriotische Gedenkrede, ib. 1659; J. Fecht, Hist. eccl. sceculi xvi., supplementum, Durlach, 1683. Consult: W. T. Rohrich, Geschichte der Reformation im Elsass, vol. iii., Strasburg, 1832; various essays in W. Horning, Beitrage zur Kirchengeschichte des Elsasses, ib. 1881-93; W. Horning, Dr. Johann Marbach, Beitrage zu dessen Lebensbild, ib. 1887; idem, Handbuch der Geschichte der evangelisch-lutherischen Kirche in Strassburg, ib. 1903; F. Hubert, Die Strassburger liturgischen Ordnungen im Zeitalter der Reformation, Gottingen, 1900; J. M. Reu, Quellen zur Geschichte des kirchlichen Unterrichts . . 1630-1600, i. 1, pp. 141-154, Gutersloh, 1904; T. Gerold, Geschichte der Kirche St. Niklaus in Strassburg, Strasburg, 1904.
MARBECK, PILGRAM: Anabaptist leader and author; b. at Rattenberg (23 m. e.n.e. of Innsbruck) about the end of the fifteenth century; d. in or near Augsburg c. 1547. He was brought up in the Roman Catholic communion, but left it in early manhood and about 1522-23 became a " promulgator of the Wittenberg Gospel." But he found that " where God's word was preached in the Lutheran way a fleshly freedom followed in its trail " and soon became dissatisfied with Lutheranism. About 1525-26 he " accepted baptism as a witness of the obedience of faith, having regard in this solely to God's word and command " (his own account in his disputation with Butzer). He became an expert engineer and in 1525 was appointed by the Austrian government to a responsible position in connection with the mines of that region. Early in 1528 he was in danger of being arrested and punished as
an Anabaptist and made his way to Augsburg, where he hoped to find toleration and employment (J. Walch, Decas fabularum humani generis, Augsburg, 1606). But persecution had already begun in Augsburg and in October he went to Strasburg, where his engineering skill was called into use. At this time Strasburg contained a greater number and a greater variety of Anabaptist leaders than any other city. Marbeck's force of character, attractive personality, intellectual vigor, blameless Christian walk, literary skill, and generosity brought him marked consideration among his fellow believers and at first won the highest praise from the leading Evangelical pastors, Butzer, Capito, Zell, and Blaurer. He gained the friendship of Margaretha Blaurer (q.v.) to such an extent that she protected him as far as she was able from persecuting measures when Butzer turned against him and rebuked Butzer for his intolerance. Profoundly convinced of the evil of infant baptism, he was zealous in his efforts to win not only the masses but the preachers to antipedobaptist views. The publication of two books in support of his position led to his imprisonment (October, 1531); but because of his engineering skill he was liberated without promising to desist. On Dec. 9, at his own request, he engaged in a discussion with Butzer, the record of which has been preserved. In twenty-eight articles he defended the antipedobaptist position with a logical acumen rarely excelled. But the council decreed his banishment and after an earnest plea for the Anabaptists he departed for Ulm and soon settled again in Augsburg. Until his death he was the guiding spirit of the antipedobaptist congregations in the neighborhood of Ulm and Augsburg. In 1542 he published an exposition of his views on baptism, sin, hereditary sin, divine worship, magistracy, and the Lord's Supper (Vermahnung audi gam klarer grundlicher und unwidersprechlicher Bericht zu wahrer Christlicher ewig bestandiger Bruder-Vereini— gung). This brought him into controversy with Schwenckfeld and his followers. A. H. Newman.
Bibliography: J. Loserth, Zwei biographische Skizzen aus der Wiedertaufer in Tirol, Innsbruck, 1895; T. W. Rohrich, ZHT, 1860; C. A. Cornelius, Geschichte des munsterischen Aufruhrs, vol. ii., Leipsic, 1860; J. W. Baum, Capito und Bucer, Elberfeld, 1860; L. Keller, Ein Apostel der Wiedertaufer, Leipsic, 1882; C. Gerbert, Geschichte der Strassburger Sectenbewegung zur Zeit der Reformation, Strasburg, 1889; A. H. Newman, Hist, of Anti-Pedobaptism, pp. 249-253, Philadelphia. 1897. Sidelights are cast by the writings and letters of the contemporary religious leaders, Bucer, Capito, Luther, Zwingli, and otherj.
MARBURG BIBLE. See Bibles, Annotated, I., § 3.
MARBURG, CONFERENCE OF: A gathering of Protestant theologians at Marburg Oct. 2-4, 1529. The controversy on the Lord's Supper had already assumed considerable dimensions, when in the summer of 1526 the Diet of Speyer convened; therefore the Protestants took pains Preliminary to come to an agreement in order to Negotia- present a united front to their oppotions. nents. The efforts at harmony originated among the Strasburg theologians, but were frustrated by Luther's firm adherence to his convictions. An attempt of Butzer in the summer of 1526 to influence Luther through Justus
Marburg:, Conference of Marcellinus