the mystical theology of valentin weigel - DataSpace at Princeton ...

texts does not lead straight to radicalism. 220 Neander studied under Luther and
Melanchthon in Wittenberg in 1543, before later gaining some considerable fame as a
pedagogue and director of a school at Ilfeld, and as the editor of classical texts. 221
Although Neander is generally known for his knowledge of Greek and Hebrew,
Neander’s Theologia Bernhardi ac Tauleri is motivated less by his scholarly interests and
more by his devotion to Luther. The work was published in 1581 and appended to
another work by Leander that lionizes Luther, lavishly praising him in the title as
Theologia Megalandri Lutheri. That first work is a compendium of quotations from
Luther’s work, both in Latin and in German, as well as small texts praising Luther, such
as a small poem composed by Conrad Porta, an acrostic poem using the first letters of
Luther’s names. 222
Like the Theologia Megalandri, the Theologia Bernhardi ac Tauleri is a
florilegium of sorts, a compilation of the most attractive sentences from Tauler’s sermons.
However, Neander’s text explicitly brings Tauler under Luther’s theological influence.
On the title page are two quotations from “Theander Lutherus” (the God-man Luther,
only one of Neander’s many affectionate epithets for his teacher) in which Luther praises
each of the two medieval figures, presumably by way of authorizing or explaining
Neander’s interest in them. For Bernard, Neander quotes Luther, who writes: “S.
Bernhard ist ein Mann von grossem Geist gewesen / das ich in schier thürst uber alle
Lerer setzen / die da berümpt sein / beide alte und newe.” As for Tauler, Neander quotes
Luther’s praise for Tauler as offering a theology that seems beneficial and salubrious, and,
220 Koch, 1243.
221 Werner Raupp, “Neander, Michael”, Dictionary of the Reformation, 2002, 224.
222 “Mendacia Antichristi Refutavit Tribuit Iesu Nomen Unicum Salutis / Luce Veritatis Triumphauit
Haereses Ecclesiae Romanae Verbo Superauit.” This is an acrostic for MARTINUS LUTHERUS.
82