New Perspective on the Establishing of Confession in Early Modern Transylvania. Context and Theological Profile of the Formula Pii Consensus 1572 as Heterodox Reception of the Wittenberg Theology

Abstract This paper presents a mainly theological analysis of the Formula Pii Consensus of 1572 (furthermore FPC) and – in the light of its historical context – aims to investigate the way in which Wittenberg theology was modified in Transylvania. The reception of the Confessio Augustana (CA) was imposed by Prince István Báthory. In regard to the larger historical context in Transylvania and the development of the Holy Roman Empire, a reconsideration of the FPC arises. Despite largely accepting the contents of the CA 1530 (invariata), superintendent Lukas Unglerus (1526–1600) left the door open for all options of contemporary protestant Eucharistic theology. Because of the Melanchthonian background of his ministers the superintendent chose a wording to allow for tendencies orientated towards Calvinism and for keeping the yet prevalent confessional indetermination. Thus, he covered up what – according to contemporary standards in the Holy Roman Empire – would have been called heterodox.