Lutheran lay prophets (c.1550-1700)
During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries some 300 Lutheran lay people claimed to have met angels who admonished them to act as preachers of repentance. Such prophets can be found in all occupations, in all age groups, in all types of settlements and among both sexes from the entire Lutheran area (Scandinavia, parts of Germany and parts of the Baltic states). The main medieval antecedent to the Lutheran prophets was the apparition of saints in conjunction with the establishment of pilgrimage sites. Prospective prophets could get to know about other prophets through various channels: cheap print, sermons and oral communication about current events. Prophets copied many traits of their performances from the way pastors delivered their sermons. The main difference was the way in which prophets used their body (e.g. fasting or ecstasy) to authenticate their calling. The established pattern of lay prophets allowed ordinary people to speak out, claiming that their message had come from God's angel. Their utterances allow modern scholars to look into lay people's beliefs, practices and concerns as well as their perceptions of local politics. Many Lutheran lay prophets can be seen as living saints, i. e. extraordinarily
Beyer, JuÌrgen
Lutheran lay prophets (c.1550-1700). During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries some 300 Lutheran lay people claimed to have met angels who admonished them to act as preachers of repentance. Such prophets can be found in all occupations, in all age groups, in all types of settlements and among both sexes from the entire Lutheran area (Scandinavia, parts of Germany and parts of the Baltic states). The main medieval antecedent to the Lutheran prophets was the apparition of saints in conjunction with the establishment of pilgrimage sites. Prospective prophets could get to know about other prophets through various channels: cheap print, sermons and oral communication about current events. Prophets copied many traits of their performances from the way pastors delivered their sermons. The main difference was the way in which prophets used their body (e.g. fasting or ecstasy) to authenticate their calling. The established pattern of lay prophets allowed ordinary people to speak out, claiming that their message had come from God's angel. Their utterances allow modern scholars to look into lay people's beliefs, practices and concerns as well as their perceptions of local politics. Many Lutheran lay prophets can be seen as living saints, i. e. extraordinarily
lutheran lay prophet lutheran lay_people claim meet angel act preacher repentance prophet find occupation age_group type settlement among entire lutheran area scandinavia part germany part baltic state main medieval antecedent lutheran prophets saint conjunction establishment pilgrimage site prospective prophet could get know prophet various channel cheap print sermon oral communication current event prophets copy many trait performance way pastor deliver sermon main difference way prophet use body fast ecstasy call establish pattern lay prophet allow ordinary_people speak claim message come god angel utterance allow modern_scholar look lay_people belief_practice concern well perception local_politics many lutheran lay prophet see live saint