Thomas Müntzer: Visionary of a faith-inspired communism
How much one can discover by taking a bike ride and getting lost in the picturesque villages surrounding the Harz Mountains in Germany. In particular, thanks to a spontaneous and selfless guided tour of the Frose Church (Seeland), I've had the opportunity to learn about a less-known figure (at least for those who aren't German) who, in my opinion, played an even more significant role than Luther. Indeed, long before Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels wrote the Communist Manifesto in 1848, Thomas Müntzer (1489-1525) undertook a remarkably similar endeavor. This theologian, preacher, and radical leader played a prominent role during the Protestant Reformation in Germany. Despite starting as a Catholic priest, Müntzer later embraced the ideas of Martin Luther's Protestantism. However, as time progressed, Müntzer radicalized, distancing himself from Luther's teachings. He criticized Luther for not implementing a comprehensive reform and for maintaining a position he deemed too ...