Menso Alting (Eelde, 9 November 1541 – Emden, 7 October 1612) was a Dutch Reformed preacher and reformer.
Alting was born in Eelde and was raised in a Catholic family. After visiting several schools in the Netherlands and Germany, he studied theology at Cologne. In 1564 he was named vicar to Haren. A few months later he was named pastor of Sleen. He probably never visited Sleen and Haren, instead using the functions, which had been given by influential family members, as a source of income.
In 1565, during his study, Alting joined the Protestant Reformation. He continued his studies in Heidelberg. After his study, he returned to Helpen, now a district of Groningen and Sleen, this time to convert the inhabitants to Calvinism.
As a result of the Protestant persecutions in the Netherlands after the Beeldenstorm, Alting fled to Germany in July 1567. Travelling through Leiselheim (at Worms), Dirmstein (at Frankenthal) and Heidelberg, he reached Emden in East-Frisia in 1575, when about half of the inhabitants were Protestant refugees from the Netherlands; an estimated 6000 Dutch people went to Emden during the second half of the 16th century.
In October 1575 Alting became preacher of the Great Church in Emden, as well as a political leader. He succeeded the Dutch reformer Albertus Risaeus, who died in 1574, and broke Calvinism through in Emden. Shortly after he became preacher, countess Anna von Oldenburg died, so he led her Calvinistic funeral services.
Count William Louis, stadtholder of Friesland, invited Alting to Drenthe in 1594 to preach. From this period he received his nickname, "The Reformer of Drenthe". He used a hunebed as pulpit for his sermons, which is still locally known as "The Popeless Church".
In March 1595, Alting played a large role in a rebellion of the Calvinistic inhabitants of Emden against the Lutheran count of East-Frisia, Edzard II. Hoping Emden would join the Dutch Republic, he roused the population. Not long after, the city declared itself independent of East-Frisia. In the treaty of Delfzijl of 15 July 1595, Emden received a semi-autonomous status, which it kept until 1744.
Alting died at the age of 70 in Emden.
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Some of their strengths
Menso Alting has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Intuitive, Generous, Honest, Optimistic, Cheerful, and Intelligent.
Intense and Passionate
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Menso Alting is someone who is an intense, passionate, and intuitive person who is fiercely independent, authentic and direct when engaging with others. A person who is a bit of a "lone wolf".
Strong and Resilient
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Menso Alting well know them as someone who can be strong, expansive, and stable like a big tree.
Optimistic and Frank
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Menso Alting as someone who is optimistic, principled, adventurous, and direct.
A person who isn't shy about expressing their opinions, loves competition, loves learning things themself, who is known for being inventive and original, and who loves being surrounded by friends and loved ones.
Easygoing and Energetic
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Menso Alting is someone who has an easygoing nature and a healthy sense of humor, with a mind that requires constant stimulation in order to feel fulfilled.
They are also someone who is altruistic, tolerant, and sophisticated, and who tends to be a perfectionist who is always working to try and make everything and everyone better.
Mysterious and Methodical
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Menso Alting tends to be someone who can come across as mysterious and intense, who can be a complex thinker who is methodical and intuitive, and who can overcome challenges that most others would not be able to.
Some of Menso Alting's challenges
While Menso Alting has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Menso Alting can be Pleasure-seeking, Complicated, Brusque, Indecisive, Unrealistic, Impulsive, and Careless.
Complicated and Brusque
One of Menso Alting's key challenges is that they are someone who can be complicated and gruff with others.
Pushy and Restless
Menso Alting is someone who can be arrogant and bossy, who can have difficulty concentrating and focusing, be unable to separate emotions from business decisions, and who can engage in excessive spending in support of an expensive lifestyle and habits.
Sensitive and Aggressive
Finally, Menso Alting also can be too "touchy-feely", have a hard time expressing feelings, be too aggressive and headstrong, and be too unforgiving of others' mistakes.
