Baumann, Christoph (16th century)
Christoph Baumann was one of the outstanding Anabaptist hymn writers. Nothing is known of his life, except that he lay in prison in Landshut, Bavaria, and probably died there a martyr. The Ausbund has four songs written by him; but only one of them bears his name as author, viz., "Wo soll ich mich hindrehen" (No. 76). The two songs following this and No. 80 are of his composition; Wolkan proves this by their acrostic form. His songs have considerable poetic value. Their content testifies to a rare strength of faith and deep, hopeful joy. Baumann complains, of course, about the severe trials that men subject him to on account of his faith; but not a word of bitterness passes his lips. He asks God to forgive their sins: "O God, do not reckon it against them unto death; for they are ignorant and blind in everything."
Bibliography
Hege, Christian and Christian Neff. Mennonitisches Lexikon, 4 vols. Frankfurt & Weierhof: Hege; Karlsruhe; Schneider, 1913-1967: v. I, 140.
Wolkan, Rudolf. Die Lieder der Wiedertäufer. Berlin, 1903. Reprinted Nieuwkoop : B. De Graaf, 1965: 146 f., 149
| Author(s) | Christian Neff |
|---|---|
| Date Published | 1953 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Neff, Christian. "Baumann, Christoph (16th century)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1953. Web. 24 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Baumann,_Christoph_(16th_century)&oldid=146372.
APA style
Neff, Christian. (1953). Baumann, Christoph (16th century). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 24 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Baumann,_Christoph_(16th_century)&oldid=146372.
Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 249. All rights reserved.
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