Abstract
On 25 March 1624, Jacob Bahme was summoned before the city council of
Garlitz in Upper Lusatia to answer accusations of religious heterodoxy lev
elled by Gregor Richter (1560-1624), the chief pastor in Garlitz, prompted by
complaints from Abraham Friese (1570-1627), head pastor in the city of Lieg
nitz (Legnica). In his written defence, Bahme emphasized that although the
circulation and uptake of his writings had caused some controversy, his works
were well received, even encouraged, by 'many learned men such as pastors,
physicians, nobles and dukes, yea even princes.'
1 In a subsequent letter Bahme claimed to know 'several hundred persons' ready to defend his writings and doctrines from calumny.
2 Despite these indications that Bohme possessed a broad support base, the city council, weary of fomenting a damaging religious
controversy, recommend that Bahme remove himself from the city, however
briefly, until the dispute simmered down. Bahme himself took solace in the
fact that no explicit order had been given for him to depart Garlitz into exile:
he took the statement of the council merely as a 'waming.'
Garlitz in Upper Lusatia to answer accusations of religious heterodoxy lev
elled by Gregor Richter (1560-1624), the chief pastor in Garlitz, prompted by
complaints from Abraham Friese (1570-1627), head pastor in the city of Lieg
nitz (Legnica). In his written defence, Bahme emphasized that although the
circulation and uptake of his writings had caused some controversy, his works
were well received, even encouraged, by 'many learned men such as pastors,
physicians, nobles and dukes, yea even princes.'
1 In a subsequent letter Bahme claimed to know 'several hundred persons' ready to defend his writings and doctrines from calumny.
2 Despite these indications that Bohme possessed a broad support base, the city council, weary of fomenting a damaging religious
controversy, recommend that Bahme remove himself from the city, however
briefly, until the dispute simmered down. Bahme himself took solace in the
fact that no explicit order had been given for him to depart Garlitz into exile:
he took the statement of the council merely as a 'waming.'
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Jacob Böhme and his World |
| Editors | Bo Andersson, Lucinda Martin, Leigh Penman, Andrew Weeks |
| Place of Publication | Leiden The Netherlands |
| Publisher | Brill |
| Chapter | 4 |
| Pages | 98-120 |
| Number of pages | 23 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9789004385092 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9789004383852 |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |
| Externally published | Yes |