Schmalkaldic Articles

Protestant statement of faith drawn up by Martin Luther in 1537 at the request of John Frederick, elector of Saxony. The articles were approved by a convention of theologians at Schmalkald, Germany, and, though never formally adopted by the evangelical churches, they were widely influential.

The first part, which was not controversial, dealt with the Creeds. The second, concerning the office of Christ, attacked the doctrine of the Mass and other Roman teachings. The third was about differences between Protestants in eucharistic doctrine. An appendix by Philip Melanchthon conceded the supremacy of the pope by human right.