Balthasar Cellarius

Balthasar Cellarius (10 October 1614 - 15 September 1689) as a German Lutheran theologian and preacher. He wrote prolifically. In 1642 he moved to the University of Helmstedt where became a professor in New Testament studies. Two years later he was called back to Helmstedt to take up the office of General Superintendent, and the associated Theology professorship. A senior colleague, Justus Gesenius, objected to the appointment, believing that Cellarius had yet to pass all the necessary examinations. In the event the appointment was deferred for two years, but went ahead in 1648.

Cellarius now took on a second professorship at Helmstedt, and gave lectures on the New Testament, focusing on the Pericopes. He also joined in the polemics against the Roman Church. In 1650 the University of Helmstedt received a visitation in the course of which doctorates were conferred on Balthasar Cellarius, along with Gerhard Titius. At the same time he was appointed Abbot of the monastery at Marienthal. He managed largely to steer clear of the Syncretistic controversy with the so-called Orthodox Luterhans.

On 10 April 1656 Cellarius delivered the funeral oration for his old teacher, the controversialist Georg Calixtus. Cellarius himself died on 15 September 1689.

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1651