Helmut Gollwitzer
Encyclopedia
Helmut Gollwitzer was a Protestant (Lutheran) theologian and author.
Born in Bavaria, Gollwitzer studied Protestant theology in Munich, Erlangen, Jena and Bonn (1928–1932); he later completed a doctorate under Karl Barth
in Basel (1937), writing on the understanding of the eucharist in Martin Luther
and John Calvin
.
During the period of the Nazi-regime in Germany, Gollwitzer was a well-known member of the Confessing Church
movement which resisted the regimes' attempt to control the churches. He took over as the pastor of the congregation at Berlin-Dahlem after the arrest of Martin Niemöller
.
During World War II
, Gollwitzer served as a medic at the Eastern Front, and was a Prisoner of War in the Soviet Union
from 1945-1949. He wrote a book about his experience of being a POW which became a bestseller in Germany in 1950 (Unwilling Journey: A Diary from Russia); the then President of West-Germany, Theodor Heuss
, called it "a great historical document".
Gollwitzer was appointed professor of systematic theology at the University of Bonn
(1950–1957), and then as professor of Protestant theology at the Free University of Berlin
; he retired in 1975. He had been Karl Barth
's first choice as his successor in Basel, but the University authorities turned him down due to what they called 'his unclear attitude to the Soviet Union'.
Known as a close friend of Rudi Dutschke
, whose wife studied with Gollwitzer, and a pastor to Ulrike Meinhof
, he was prominently involved in the political debates ensuing in the late 1960s and 1970s. Gollwitzer was a well-known opponent of Nuclear Weapons, the US engagement in Vietnam and the arms race, as well as a staunch critic of capitalism.
Helmut Gollwitzer died on 17 October 1993.
Born in Bavaria, Gollwitzer studied Protestant theology in Munich, Erlangen, Jena and Bonn (1928–1932); he later completed a doctorate under 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...
in Basel (1937), writing on the understanding of the eucharist in Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
and John Calvin
John Calvin
John Calvin was an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal figure in the development of the system of Christian theology later called Calvinism. Originally trained as a humanist lawyer, he broke from the Roman Catholic Church around 1530...
.
During the period of the Nazi-regime in Germany, Gollwitzer was a well-known member of the Confessing Church
Confessing Church
The Confessing Church was a Protestant schismatic church in Nazi Germany that arose in opposition to government-sponsored efforts to nazify the German Protestant church.-Demographics:...
movement which resisted the regimes' attempt to control the churches. He took over as the pastor of the congregation at Berlin-Dahlem after the arrest of Martin Niemöller
Martin Niemöller
Friedrich Gustav Emil Martin Niemöller was a German anti-Nazi theologian and Lutheran pastor. He is best known as the author of the poem "First they came…"....
.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Gollwitzer served as a medic at the Eastern Front, and was a Prisoner of War in the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
from 1945-1949. He wrote a book about his experience of being a POW which became a bestseller in Germany in 1950 (Unwilling Journey: A Diary from Russia); the then President of West-Germany, Theodor Heuss
Theodor Heuss
Theodor Heuss was a liberal German politician who served as the first President of the Federal Republic of Germany after World War II from 1949 to 1959...
, called it "a great historical document".
Gollwitzer was appointed professor of systematic theology at the University of 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...
(1950–1957), and then as professor of Protestant theology at the Free University of Berlin
Free University of Berlin
Freie Universität Berlin is one of the leading and most prestigious research universities in Germany and continental Europe. It distinguishes itself through its modern and international character. It is the largest of the four universities in Berlin. Research at the university is focused on the...
; he retired in 1975. He had been 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...
's first choice as his successor in Basel, but the University authorities turned him down due to what they called 'his unclear attitude to the Soviet Union'.
Known as a close friend of Rudi Dutschke
Rudi Dutschke
Alfred Willi Rudi Dutschke was the most prominent spokesperson of the German student movement of the 1960s. He advocated 'a long march through the institutions' of power to create radical change from within government and society by becoming an integral part of the machinery...
, whose wife studied with Gollwitzer, and a pastor to Ulrike Meinhof
Ulrike Meinhof
Ulrike Marie Meinhof was a German left-wing militant. She co-founded the Red Army Faction in 1970 after having previously worked as a journalist for the monthly left-wing magazine Konkret. She was arrested in 1972, and eventually charged with numerous murders and the formation of a criminal...
, he was prominently involved in the political debates ensuing in the late 1960s and 1970s. Gollwitzer was a well-known opponent of Nuclear Weapons, the US engagement in Vietnam and the arms race, as well as a staunch critic of capitalism.
Helmut Gollwitzer died on 17 October 1993.
External links
Literature
- Gollwitzer, H 1953. Unwilling Journey: A Diary from Russia. Philadelphia: Muhlenberg Press.
- Gollwitzer, H 1956. Dying We Live: The Final Messages and Records of the Resistance. New York: Pantheon.
- Gollwitzer, H 1965. The Demands of Freedom: Papers by a Christian in West Germany. New York: Harper & Row.
- Gollwitzer, H 1965. The Existence of God as Confessed by Faith. London: SCM.
- Gollwitzer, H 1970. The Christian Faith and the Marxist Criticism of Religion. New York: Scribner.
- Gollwitzer, H 1970. The Rich Christians and Poor Lazarus. New York: Macmillan.
- Gollwitzer, H 1982. An Introduction to Protestant Theology. Philadelphia: Westminster Press.