Friedrich Bernhard Ferdinand Michelis
Encyclopedia
Friedrich Bernhard Ferdinand Michelis (July 27, 1815 - May 28, 1886) was a German theologian and philosopher who was born in Münster
.
He studied philosophy and theology at the Academy of Münster, receiving his ordination
in 1838. From 1845 he was a chaplain
and school teacher in Duisburg
, and later (1849-54) an instructor at the Episcopal Theological Institute in Paderborn
. From 1855 to 1864 he served as pastor in Münster-Albachten, and from 1864 to 1872 was a professor of philosophy at the Lyceum
in Braunsberg. In 1860 he participated in the Erfurt conference which would lead to Julie von Massow
's Ut Omnes Unum movement, which sought the reunification of Catholicism of Protestantism.
Michelis was a major figure in the "Old Catholic
" movement in Germany, and from 1874 was associated with Old Catholic parish at Freiburg
. As a philosopher he was an opponent of materialism
, and an outspoken critic of Darwinism
and Güntherianism. For a period of time, he was editor of the journal Natur und Offenbarung (Nature and Epiphany). Among his better known writings are the following:
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...
.
He studied philosophy and theology at the Academy of Münster, receiving his ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
in 1838. From 1845 he was 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...
and school teacher in Duisburg
Duisburg
- History :A legend recorded by Johannes Aventinus holds that Duisburg, was built by the eponymous Tuisto, mythical progenitor of Germans, ca. 2395 BC...
, and later (1849-54) an instructor at the Episcopal Theological Institute in Paderborn
Paderborn
Paderborn is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, capital of the Paderborn district. The name of the city derives from the river Pader, which originates in more than 200 springs near Paderborn Cathedral, where St. Liborius is buried.-History:...
. From 1855 to 1864 he served as pastor in Münster-Albachten, and from 1864 to 1872 was a professor of philosophy at the Lyceum
Lyceum
The lyceum is a category of educational institution defined within the education system of many countries, mainly in Europe. The definition varies between countries; usually it is a type of secondary school.-History:...
in Braunsberg. In 1860 he participated in the Erfurt conference which would lead to Julie von Massow
Julie von Massow
Julie von Massow was a Prussian woman who started a movement, Ut Omnes Unum, "that all may be one", which promoted reconciliation between the Christian churches, a policy known as reunionism.-Biography:...
's Ut Omnes Unum movement, which sought the reunification of Catholicism of Protestantism.
Michelis was a major figure in the "Old Catholic
Old Catholic Church
The term Old Catholic Church is commonly used to describe a number of Ultrajectine Christian churches that originated with groups that split from the Roman Catholic Church over certain doctrines, most importantly that of Papal Infallibility...
" movement in Germany, and from 1874 was associated with Old Catholic parish at Freiburg
Freiburg
Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In the extreme south-west of the country, it straddles the Dreisam river, at the foot of the Schlossberg. Historically, the city has acted as the hub of the Breisgau region on the western edge of the Black Forest in the Upper Rhine Plain...
. As a philosopher he was an opponent of materialism
Materialism
In philosophy, the theory of materialism holds that the only thing that exists is matter; that all things are composed of material and all phenomena are the result of material interactions. In other words, matter is the only substance...
, and an outspoken critic of Darwinism
Darwinism
Darwinism is a set of movements and concepts related to ideas of transmutation of species or of evolution, including some ideas with no connection to the work of Charles Darwin....
and Güntherianism. For a period of time, he was editor of the journal Natur und Offenbarung (Nature and Epiphany). Among his better known writings are the following:
- Der kirchliche Standpunkt der Naturforschung (Standpoint of the Religious Nature of Research), 1855
- Der Materialismus als Köhlerglaube (Materialism as Blind Faith), 1856
- Die Philosophie Platons in ihrer inneren Beziehung zur geoffenbarten Wahrheit (The Philosophy of PlatoPlatoPlato , was a Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Along with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, Plato helped to lay the...
in its Internal Relationship to Revealed Truth), (1858-1860, two volumes) - Renan's Roman vom Leben Jesu. Eine deutsche Antwort auf die französische Blasphemie (RenanErnest RenanErnest Renan was a French expert of Middle East ancient languages and civilizations, philosopher and writer, devoted to his native province of Brittany...
's Novel of the Life of Jesus, a German Answer to the French Blasphemy), 1864. - Preußen's Beruf für Deutschland und die Weltgeschichte. Ein freies Wort zur rechten Zeit (Prussia's Occupation of Germany and the World History, a Free Word at the Right Time), 1863
- De Aristotele Plantonis in idearum doctrina adversario. Commentatio critica, 1864
- Anti-Darwinische Beobachtungen (Anti-Darwinian Observations), 1877
- Die Philosophie des Bewusstseins (The Philosophy of Consciousness), 1877
- Haeckelogonie. Ein akademischer Protest (HaeckelogonyErnst HaeckelThe "European War" became known as "The Great War", and it was not until 1920, in the book "The First World War 1914-1918" by Charles à Court Repington, that the term "First World War" was used as the official name for the conflict.-Research:...
, an Academic Protest), 1876