Schwenckfeld

Schwenckfeld, GASPAR VON (1490-1561), reformer, was born in Silesia, and led a very troubled and wandering life for the most part. He first became a priest, but, agreeing with Luther as to main questions, he strongly objected to the latter's moderation and 1ack of enthusiasm. He was himself of excellent character, but a fanatic, and openly quarrelled with Luther in 1525, and was banished from Silesia. He made many disciples, and founded a sect of his own, which spread very widely. He thought the Scriptures were always, and would be always, wrongly interpreted. He was for a time an Anabaptist, but finally denied the inspiration of the Bible. His piety and sincerity were never questioned by any of his contemporaries except Melancthon.