1854). (J. G. W. UHLHORNf.)
MUENSCHER, WILHELM: German theologian; b. at Hersfeld (32 m. s.s.e. of Cassel) Mar. 15, 1766; d. at Marburg July 28, 1814. He studied at the gymnasium of his native town and at the University of Marburg; officiated for some time as assistant to his father, pastor at Hersfeld; became
RELIGIOUS ENCYCLOPEDIA
Mueller Muenster
in 1789 pastor of the collegiate church there; was three years later called to the chair of theology at the University of Marburg. Although his activity embraced all branches of theology except Old- Testament exegesis, he is known chiefly through his writings on doctrinal theology and church history. His theological standpoint was that of a moderate rationalist, and for him the mission of doctrinal theology was to answer the question " How and why has the doctrine of Christianity gradually assumed its present form? " This question he endeavored to answer in a series of essays in various periodicals. He was the author also of Handbuch der christlichen Dogmengeschichte (4 vols., Marburg, 1797); Lehrbuch der christlichen Kirchengeschichte (Marburg, 1804); and a Lehrbuch der christlichen Dogmengeschichte (Marburg, 1811).
(A. Hauck.) Bibliography: His life and writings were edited by L. Wachler, Frankfort, 1817. Consult also the Versuch einer Geschichte der hessisch-reformierten Kirche by his son, W. Miinscher, Cassel, 1850.
MUENSTER, ANABAPTISTS IN.
Humanistic, Social, and Religious Ferment (§ 1). Bernhard Rothmann; the Sixteen Articles (§ 2). Entrance of Radical Elements (§ 3). Anabaptist Radicalism in Control (§ 4). Anabaptist Theocracy; Siege of the City (§ 5). Capture of the City; Punishment of the Leaders (§ 6).
The Anabaptist movement in Miinster grew out of the Reformation in that city, and this again stood in closest relation to revolutionary tendencies within the city. The opposing parties were the town as represented by the council and the bishop or cathedral chapter, as well as the patricians, as opposed to the gilds and common people. It was during the struggle among these difi. Humanis- ferent parties for leadership that the tic, Social, spark of the Reformation was kindled and in Miinster. Merchants, especially Religious from Frankfurt, seem to have brought Ferment, the first message; Evangelical influences proceeding mostly from Augustine friars in neighboring cities had their effect, while Humanism prepared the way. At the instigation of Rudolph von Langen, the cathedral school in Miinster had since 1500 through the instruction it furnished in Latin and Greek extended widely its influence. Among the first who began in Miinster to confess deviating religious opinions were the Humanists Johann Glandorp and Adolf Clarenbach, teacher at the school of St. Martin. Peter Gymnich of Aix-la-Chapelle, a distinguished scholar and canon of St. Martin's, had been on terms of friendship with Luther since 1520; Arnold Bellholt, a patrician, had similar relations with Carlstadt. In 1524 the Reformation seems to have been publicly proclaimed and advocated by the preachers of the different churches in Miinster. In 1525 occurred the first outbreak of the suppressed ferment, a significant element of which was the union between social and religious interests. The impetus was given by the revolt of the peasants which moved down the Rhine into the neighborhood of Miinster. At the instigation of the gilds the populace on May 22, 1525, attacked unsuccessfully the rich monastery of Niesing; in spite of this failure the
gilds demanded the abolition of the economical competition of the monastery. The movement spread further, the gilds and common people adopted and presented to the council the so-called Articles of Frankfurt which expressed their demands for far-reaching social and religious reforms, such as the abolition of spiritual jurisdiction over citizens and of the immunity of the clergy. Under pressure from the council, the chapter signed some articles, but immediately left the city and presented to the bishop a writ of complaint, while the council abolished the economical competition between the gilds and the monastery of Niesing by confiscating the looms and withdrawing the annuities.
A reaction occurred, however, after the insurrection of the peasants had been suppressed. Under the pressure of the archbishop of Cologne the council felt itself compelled to sacrifice the articles of 1525 and to restore to the monasteries their former privileges. After the restoration of the status quo ante, the cathedral chapter returned to the city and the Evangelical preachers were banished. But with these repressive measures the 2. Bernhard anti-clerical movement was in no way Rothmann; conquered; discord between Bishop the Sixteen Friedrich von Wied and the cathedral Articles, chapter gave occasion to a new Evangelical movement under the leadership of Bernhard Rothmann, not in Miinster itself but before the gates of the city, on the territory of the bishop, at St. Mauritz (1531). Rothmann was born about 1495 at Stadtlohn in the bishopric of Miinster, educated in his native city, in Miinster and Deventer, was for a time a teacher and then studied at the University of Mainz. In 1529 he became preacher of St. Mauritz, but he soon joined the Evangelical party and became its leader. He increased the excitement among the people when the character of his sermons became known throughout the city; on the night of Good Friday, 1531, a mob went into his church, defiled the altars, and erected in the churchyard a pulpit for Rothmann, who defied all prohibitory injunctions of the chapter. As the movement spread further, the Protestant party endeavored to unite with the Evangelicals throughout the empire. For this purpose Rothmann visited Wittenberg (where he became acquainted with Melanchthon), Speier, Strasburg (where he met Capito and Schwenckfeld), perhaps also Marburg. After his return he preached openly the Lutheran doctrine. Disagreements between the cathedral chapter and the bishop were favorable to Rothmann's actions, but in 1532 he was compelled to flee. The confession of Rothmann, which was printed and everywhere distributed, betrays in form and contents the influence of Melanchthon, of the Augsburg Confession, but also of Zwingli and not less of the Anabaptists. In Feb., 1532, the adherents of Rothmann stormed the church of St. Lambert, and an Evangelical congregation was constituted. The opposing Roman party, unable to take any effective measures against the gilds and common people, felt greatly relieved at the resignation of Friedrich von Wied as bishop on Mar. 24, 1532. His successor, Duke Erich of Braunschweig-Grubenhagen, bishop of Paderborn and
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