Marbach, Johann

Marbach, Johann, an eminent German Protestant theologian, was born at Lindau Aug. 24, 1521, and was educated at the University of Wittenberg, where he commenced in 1539 the study of theology. He became successively deacon at Jena in 1540, preacher at Ivry in 1544, and at Strasburg in 1545. He was afterwards sent by the latter city to the Council of Trent, together with Sleidan. In 1552 he was appointed chief pastor and professor of theology. Here he labored to introduce the Lutheran doctrines in the place of the Reformed, whereby he became involved in numberless controversies. In 1556 he was employed by the elector Otto Henry to organize the Reformation in the Palatinate, and in 1557 was present at the Diet of Worms. He ceased preaching in 1558, and died deacon of Thomas College, March 17, 1581. He wrote Christlicher und wahrhafter Unterricht von d. Worten d. Einsetzunsg d. heil. Abendemalls, etc. (Strasb. 1565, 8vo), and other similar works, all upholding the ultra-Lutheran views. See Treuss, Situation interieure de l'tglise Lutherienne de Strasbourg sous la direction de Mabach (Strasb. 1857); Pierere, Universal-Lexikon, 10:852; Herzog, Real-Encykl. 9:10.