The Transformation of Natural Philosophy The Case of Philip Melanchthon [Paperback]

A study of the transformation of natural philosophy by the Lutheran Philip Melanchthon.This book examines the genesis of Lutheran interest in natural philoso phical issues by focusing on the reform of natural philosophy initiated by Philip Melanchthon. It suggests that Melanchthon transformed traditional natural philosophy into a specifically Lutheran one in an effort to refute civil disobedience and promote Luther's cause. an approach to natural philosophy by a dichotomy of 'science' vs. 'religion' is hazardous: natural philosophy should be understood as a study of nature, understood as God's creation, undertaken for Christian purposes.This book examines the genesis of Lutheran interest in natural philoso phical issues by focusing on the reform of natural philosophy initiated by Philip Melanchthon. It suggests that Melanchthon transformed traditional natural philosophy into a specifically Lutheran one in an effort to refute civil disobedience and promote Luther's cause. an approach to natural philosophy by a dichotomy of 'science' vs. 'religion' is hazardous: natural philosophy should be understood as a study of nature, understood as God's creation, undertaken for Christian purposes.This book examines the genesis of Lutheran interest in natural philosophical issues by focusing on the reform of natural philosophy initiated by Philip Melanchthon. It suggests that Melanchthon transformed traditional natural philosophy into a specifically Lutheran one in an effort to refute civil disobedience and promote Luther's cause. It argues that an approach to natural philosophy by a dichotomy of science vs. religion is hazardous: natural philosophy should be understood as a study of nature, understood as God's creation, undertaken for Christian purposes.List of illustrations; Notes on the text; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. The way of the schoolmen; 2. Law and Gospel: the reforms of Luther and Melanchthon; 1. Luther's reform - establishing the message of the Gospel; 2. lƒ–