Eberhard Jüngel
Encyclopedia
Eberhard Jüngel is a German Lutheran theologian. He is also Emeritus Professor of Systematic Theology and the Philosophy of Religion at the Faculty of Evangelical Theology of the University of Tübingen.
in the old German Democratic Republic
. His decision to pursue a career in theology met with 'the concerned astonishment of my mother and the resolute refusal of my father.' However, it was precisely the socialist milieu into which he was born which led him to Christian theology: "That was the discovery of the church as the one place within a Stalinist society where one could speak the truth without being penalized."
Jüngel studied Theology originally at the universities of Naumburg (Saale) and Berlin
. During this time he was particularly interested in developing the works of Ernst Fuchs and Heinrich Vogel, two influences who remain important throughout his work. He concluded his undergraduate theological studies abroad in Switzerland
, working with Gerhard Ebeling
at the Universität Zürich and Karl Barth
at the Universität Basel. In 1961, Jüngel graduated before successfully presenting his Habilitation
in 1962 at the Kirchliche Hochschule Berlin-Ost.
In 1962, as a direct result of the erection of the Berlin Wall
, Jüngel was appointed to the position of Dozent für Neues Testament (Lecturer in New Testament) in the Hochschule; a position he retained until 1966. At the end of his tenure at the Hochschule, Jüngel was appointed as Ordinarius für Systematische Theologie und Dogmengeschichte (Full Professor of Systematic Theology
and History of Dogmatics) at the Universität Zürich where he taught until 1969. Moving back to Germany in 1969, Jüngel accepted a position of Ordinarius für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie (Full Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy of Religion
) at the Universität Tübingen, where he also assumed the role of Director of the Institute for Hermeneutics. Despite a plethora of offers for positions at other universities,
Jüngel remained at Tübingen until his retirement in 2003. His successor to the professorial chair at Tübingen was the Systematic Theologian Christoph Schwoebel.
Jüngel held a number of additional positions throughout his academic career:
He is a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
.
Life and works
Eberhard Jüngel was born into a non-religious home in MagdeburgMagdeburg
Magdeburg , is the largest city and the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe River and was one of the most important medieval cities of Europe....
in the old German Democratic Republic
German Democratic Republic
The German Democratic Republic , informally called East Germany by West Germany and other countries, was a socialist state established in 1949 in the Soviet zone of occupied Germany, including East Berlin of the Allied-occupied capital city...
. His decision to pursue a career in theology met with 'the concerned astonishment of my mother and the resolute refusal of my father.' However, it was precisely the socialist milieu into which he was born which led him to Christian theology: "That was the discovery of the church as the one place within a Stalinist society where one could speak the truth without being penalized."
Jüngel studied Theology originally at the universities of Naumburg (Saale) and Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. During this time he was particularly interested in developing the works of Ernst Fuchs and Heinrich Vogel, two influences who remain important throughout his work. He concluded his undergraduate theological studies abroad in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, working with Gerhard Ebeling
Gerhard Ebeling
Gerhard Ebeling was a student of Rudolf Bultmann at Zurich University. He was a prominent participant in the movement known as "the New Quest for the historical Jesus"...
at the Universität Zürich and Karl Barth
Karl Barth
Karl Barth was a Swiss Reformed theologian whom critics hold to be among the most important Christian thinkers of the 20th century; Pope Pius XII described him as the most important theologian since Thomas Aquinas...
at the Universität Basel. In 1961, Jüngel graduated before successfully presenting his Habilitation
Habilitation
Habilitation is the highest academic qualification a scholar can achieve by his or her own pursuit in several European and Asian countries. Earned after obtaining a research doctorate, such as a PhD, habilitation requires the candidate to write a professorial thesis based on independent...
in 1962 at the Kirchliche Hochschule Berlin-Ost.
In 1962, as a direct result of the erection of the Berlin Wall
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin...
, Jüngel was appointed to the position of Dozent für Neues Testament (Lecturer in New Testament) in the Hochschule; a position he retained until 1966. At the end of his tenure at the Hochschule, Jüngel was appointed as Ordinarius für Systematische Theologie und Dogmengeschichte (Full Professor of Systematic Theology
Systematic theology
In the context of Christianity, systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that attempts to formulate an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs...
and History of Dogmatics) at the Universität Zürich where he taught until 1969. Moving back to Germany in 1969, Jüngel accepted a position of Ordinarius für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie (Full Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy of Religion
Philosophy of religion
Philosophy of religion is a branch of philosophy concerned with questions regarding religion, including the nature and existence of God, the examination of religious experience, analysis of religious language and texts, and the relationship of religion and science...
) at the Universität Tübingen, where he also assumed the role of Director of the Institute for Hermeneutics. Despite a plethora of offers for positions at other universities,
Jüngel remained at Tübingen until his retirement in 2003. His successor to the professorial chair at Tübingen was the Systematic Theologian Christoph Schwoebel.
Jüngel held a number of additional positions throughout his academic career:
- Between 1987 and 2005, Jüngel held the position of Ephorus (Director) of the 'Evangelischen Stifts Tübingen'. He was succeeded in 2005 by the Theologian and Church Historian Volker Henning Drecoll.
- From 2003 to 2006, Jüngel was the Director of the 'Forschungsstätte der Evangelischen Studiengemeinschaft' in Heidelberg.
- In 2007, Jüngel was appointed as the Gadamer-Stiftungsprofessor.
He is a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters is a learned society based in Oslo, Norway.-History:The University of Oslo was established in 1811. The idea of a learned society in Christiania surfaced for the first time in 1841. The city of Throndhjem had no university, but had a learned...
.
See also
- List of Christian theologians
- Christian theologyChristian theology- Divisions of Christian theology :There are many methods of categorizing different approaches to Christian theology. For a historical analysis, see the main article on the History of Christian theology.- Sub-disciplines :...
- ProtestantismProtestantismProtestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
External links
- Eberhard Jüngel Reading Room, with extensive links to on-line primary and secondary sources(Tyndale Seminary)