Franz Joseph Dölger
Encyclopedia
Franz Joseph Dölger was a German Catholic theologian and church historian who was a native of Sulzbach am Main
.
He studied theology at the University of Würzburg
, and in 1902 was ordained into the priesthood. Afterwards he worked as a chaplain
in Amorbach
and Würzburg
, and in June 1904 earned his doctorate in theology. In the winter and spring of 1904–1905 he took part in a study group to Rome
, Sicily
and North Africa. Later he worked and studied at the Campo Santo Teutonico in Rome, and in 1912 was appointed an associate professor of religious history at Westphalian Wilhelms-University in Münster
. Later in his career he was a professor at the Universities of Breslau (1927–1929) and Bonn
(1929–1940).
Dölger's primary focus involved investigations of the early Christian church and its relationship with non-Christian societies. He also published scholarly works on the sacrament of Confirmation
, exorcism
, baptism and the Eucharist
in ancient Christianity
. In 1929 he founded the journal Antike und Christentum (Antiquity and Christianity), of which he contributed a series of detailed studies concerning the early church.
Today, the Franz Joseph Dölger-Institute at the University of Bonn is named in his honor.
Sulzbach am Main
Sulzbach am Main is a market municipality in the Miltenberg district in the Regierungsbezirk of Lower Franconia in Bavaria, Germany.- Location :...
.
He studied theology at the University of Würzburg
University of Würzburg
The University of Würzburg is a university in Würzburg, Germany, founded in 1402. The university is a member of the distinguished Coimbra Group.-Name:...
, and in 1902 was ordained into the priesthood. Afterwards he worked as a chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
in Amorbach
Amorbach
Amorbach is a town in the Miltenberg district in the Regierungsbezirk of Lower Franconia in Bavaria, Germany, with some 4,100 inhabitants .- Location :...
and Würzburg
Würzburg
Würzburg is a city in the region of Franconia which lies in the northern tip of Bavaria, Germany. Located at the Main River, it is the capital of the Regierungsbezirk Lower Franconia. The regional dialect is Franconian....
, and in June 1904 earned his doctorate in theology. In the winter and spring of 1904–1905 he took part in a study group to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
and North Africa. Later he worked and studied at the Campo Santo Teutonico in Rome, and in 1912 was appointed an associate professor of religious history at Westphalian Wilhelms-University in Münster
Münster
Münster is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland...
. Later in his career he was a professor at the Universities of Breslau (1927–1929) and Bonn
University of Bonn
The University of Bonn is a public research university located in Bonn, Germany. Founded in its present form in 1818, as the linear successor of earlier academic institutions, the University of Bonn is today one of the leading universities in Germany. The University of Bonn offers a large number...
(1929–1940).
Dölger's primary focus involved investigations of the early Christian church and its relationship with non-Christian societies. He also published scholarly works on the sacrament of Confirmation
Confirmation (Catholic Church)
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments through which Catholics pass in the process of their religious upbringing. According to Catholic doctrine, in this sacrament they receive the Holy Spirit and become adult members of the Catholic Church....
, exorcism
Exorcism
Exorcism is the religious practice of evicting demons or other spiritual entities from a person or place which they are believed to have possessed...
, baptism and the Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
in ancient Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. In 1929 he founded the journal Antike und Christentum (Antiquity and Christianity), of which he contributed a series of detailed studies concerning the early church.
Today, the Franz Joseph Dölger-Institute at the University of Bonn is named in his honor.
Selected publications
- Das Sakrament der Firmung (The Sacrament of ConfirmationConfirmation (Catholic Church)Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments through which Catholics pass in the process of their religious upbringing. According to Catholic doctrine, in this sacrament they receive the Holy Spirit and become adult members of the Catholic Church....
), 1906 - Der Exorzismus im altchristlichen Taufritual (ExorcismExorcismExorcism is the religious practice of evicting demons or other spiritual entities from a person or place which they are believed to have possessed...
in Ancient Christian Baptism Rites), 1909 - ICHTHYS; Das Fischsymbol in frühchristlicher (ICHTHYS: The Fish Symbol in Early ChristianityEarly ChristianityEarly Christianity is generally considered as Christianity before 325. The New Testament's Book of Acts and Epistle to the Galatians records that the first Christian community was centered in Jerusalem and its leaders included James, Peter and John....
) , 1910 - Konstantin der Große und seine Zeit (Constantine the Great and his Era), 1913
- Sol Salutis. Gebet und Gesang im christlichen Altertum (Sol Salutis: Prayer and Song in Christian Antiquity), 1920
- Die Fischdenkmäler in der frühchristlichen Plastik, Malerei und Kleinkunst, 1927