Sztárai Mihály a világi felsőbbségről = Mihály Sztárai on worldly authority

de Leeuw van Weenen, Marco (2026) Sztárai Mihály a világi felsőbbségről = Mihály Sztárai on worldly authority. HAGYOMÁNY IDENTITÁS TÖRTÉNELEM, 3 (1). pp. 43-56. ISSN 3004-2992

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Abstract

Mihály Sztárai, a Hungarian reformer, is best known for establishing 120 Protestant churches in southern Hungary, which was under Ottoman rule at the time. He also wrote two dramas and historical poems based on biblical, church and secular stories. His earliest surviving work is an account of a Hungarian nobleman’s son escaping from Ottoman captivity. By closely examining Sztárai’s works, we can discern his views on worldly authority. While the influence of Erasmus can be seen in his first work, his point of view is predominantly shaped by the Bible and Reformed teaching. Sztárai viewed the church and worldly authority as two parallel entities, each with their own area of influence. Ideally, the king should love the Bible, support the Church, and promote education and science. When Christians unanimously elect a God-fearing king, this is seen as God’s calling. Subjects must obey their king, but if he is a tyrant, they can turn to God in prayer. God can even change the mind of a pagan emperor or cause the enemy to be defeated in battle. Overall, this was the general opinion on worldly authority during the Reformation.

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