Philip Melanchthon

Batman and Robin go together. In comic book lore, they are the epitome of a dynamic duo. Batman clearly takes the lead while Robin plays his support role well. Together, they foil the Joker’s diabolical schemes.
Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560) were the sixteenth century equivalent of Batman and Robin. You likely know the name Martin Luther but may not have heard of Philip Melanchthon. Most historians agree the Reformation would not have happened without Philip Melanchthon. Martin played the role of Batman well. He was the Reformation’s passionate trailblazer. He was a man of action who possessed leadership gifts but could also be combative and combustible. Philip, by contrast, was Robin, even-tempered and reserved. If Martin was the Reformation’s passionate nerve center, Philip was its scholarly core, having authored one of the Reformation’s seminal documents, the Augsburg Confession. Martin wrote, “I am rough, boisterous, stormy and altogether warlike…Master Philippus [Melanchthon] comes along softly and gently, sowing and walking in joy, according to the gifts God has given him.” Philip was Martin’s right-hand man. He was loyal, having said of Martin, “I would rather die than be separated from him.” Like a good marriage, they complimented each other well. Martin animated Philip, Philip moderated Martin. God’s kingdom advances when people know their place. Today’s prayer is attributed to Philip: