Erdmann Neumeister was a Lutheran clergyman at the church of St. Jakob in Hamburg, Germany, a noted author of church hymns and violent opponent of Mennonites and Pietists, and author of a booklet against Jakob Denner: Anmerckungen  über Jacob Denners Postille, betitult Einfältige und christliche Betrachtungen über die Jährlichen und Heiligen Evangelia . . . nebst treumeynender Warnung für derselben (Hamburg, 1731). Two of his hymns have been adopted into the South German Mennonite hymnal: "Jesus nimmt die Sünder an" and "Jesu grosser Wunderstern."

His polemic against Denner is one of the worst of the writings of the 18th century. He disposes of his opponent with a tone of superiority; he denies Denner, a dyer without scholarly training, any right to preach and teach the Word of God. In 73 paragraphs he refutes the supposed errors in Denner's book, setting up the Lutheran Church as the true church and treating the Mennonites and Calvinists as ruinous sects. In all of Denner's words he scents self-contradiction, which he triumphantly exposes by manipulating the words. The entire presentation reveals his annoyance at the great audiences Denner's sermons attracted. He expressly warns the readers and his own congregation for the sake of their souls not to attend Denner's meetings, on the basis of 2 Peter 3:16-17.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, p. 854. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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