Johann Adam Möhler
Encyclopedia
Johann Adam Möhler was a German Roman Catholic theologian
.
He was born at Igersheim
in Württemberg
, and after studying philosophy
and theology in the lyceum at Ellwangen, entered the University of Tübingen in 1817. Ordained to the priesthood in 1819, he was appointed to a curacy. He returned to Tübingen where he became privatdozent in 1825, extraordinary professor of theology in 1826 and ordinary professor in 1828. His lectures drew large audiences, including many Protestants. The controversy aroused by his Symbolik (1832) was such that in 1835 he left for the University of Munich. In 1838 he was appointed to the deanery of Würzburg
, but died shortly afterwards.
A Biographie by Balthasar Wörner was published at Regensburg in 1866.
The Symbolik is his most famous work; the interest excited by it in Protestant circles is shown by the fact that within two years of its appearance it had elicited three replies of considerable importance, those namely of FC Baur
, PK Marheineke and KI Nitzsch
. Although characterized by learning and acuteness, as well as by considerable breadth of spiritual sympathy, it was not accepted by Catholics themselves as embodying an accurate objective view of the doctrine of their church.
The liberal school of thought of which Möhler was a prominent exponent was discouraged in official circles. Protestants complained that the author failed to grasp the Reformation
as a movement, and dwelled on the doctrinal shortcomings, inconsistencies and contradictions of its leaders.
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
.
He was born at Igersheim
Igersheim
Igersheim is a town in the Main-Tauber district in the German state of Baden-Württemberg.-History:Igersheim is mentioned in chronicles as early as 1090. Since 1972 Bernsfelden, Harthausen, Neuses and Simmringen belong to Igersheim....
in Württemberg
Württemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
, and after studying philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and theology in the lyceum at Ellwangen, entered the University of Tübingen in 1817. Ordained to the priesthood in 1819, he was appointed to a curacy. He returned to Tübingen where he became privatdozent in 1825, extraordinary professor of theology in 1826 and ordinary professor in 1828. His lectures drew large audiences, including many Protestants. The controversy aroused by his Symbolik (1832) was such that in 1835 he left for the University of Munich. In 1838 he was appointed to the deanery of 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....
, but died shortly afterwards.
Works
Möhler wrote:- Die Einheit in der Kirche oder das Princip des Katholicismus (Tübingen, 1825). English translation (1995): Unity in the Church or the Principle of Catholicism: Presented in the Spirit of the Church Fathers of the First Three Centuries, Peter C. Erb, trans., Catholic University of America PressCatholic University of America PressThe Catholic University of America Press, also known as CUA Press, is the academic publishing house of the Catholic University of America. Founded on November 14, 1939, and incorporated on July 16, 1941, the Press is a founding member of the Association of American University Presses...
, Washington, D.C., ISBN 0813206219 ISBN 9780813206219 - Athanasius der Grosse u. d. Kirche seiner Zeit (2 vols., Mainz, 1827)
- Symbolik, oder Darstellung der dogmatischen Gegensätze der Katholiken u. Protestanten nach ihren öffentlichen Bekenntnissschriften (Mainz, 1832; 8th ed., 1871-1872; Eng. trans. by S. B. Robertson, 1843)
- Neue Untersuchungen der Lehrgegensätze zwischen den Katholiken u. Protestanten (1834)
- Gesammelte Schriften u. Aufsatze, edited by DöllingerJohann Joseph Ignaz von DöllingerJohann Joseph Ignaz von Döllinger was a German theologian, Catholic priest and church historian who rejected the dogma of papal infallibility...
(1839) - Patrologie by Reithmayr (1839)
A Biographie by Balthasar Wörner was published at Regensburg in 1866.
The Symbolik is his most famous work; the interest excited by it in Protestant circles is shown by the fact that within two years of its appearance it had elicited three replies of considerable importance, those namely of FC Baur
Ferdinand Christian Baur
Ferdinand Christian Baur was a German theologian and leader of the Tübingen school of theology...
, PK Marheineke and KI Nitzsch
Karl Immanuel Nitzsch
Karl Immanuel Nitzsch , was a German Lutheran church leader.He was born at the small Saxon town of Borna near Leipzig. His father, Karl Ludwig Nitzsch, at that time pastor and superintendent in Borna, later became professor at Wittenberg and director of the seminary for preachers...
. Although characterized by learning and acuteness, as well as by considerable breadth of spiritual sympathy, it was not accepted by Catholics themselves as embodying an accurate objective view of the doctrine of their church.
The liberal school of thought of which Möhler was a prominent exponent was discouraged in official circles. Protestants complained that the author failed to grasp the Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
as a movement, and dwelled on the doctrinal shortcomings, inconsistencies and contradictions of its leaders.
External links
- Catholic Encyclopedia: Johann Adam Möhler
- Johann Adam Möhler: Vom Geist der Theologie. Gesammelte Aufsätze (German). Hrsg. von Dieter Hattrup. Band 1. Paderborn, 2011.
- Johann Adam Möhler: Vom Geist der Theologie. Gesammelte Aufsätze (German). Hrsg. von Dieter Hattrup. Band 2. Paderborn, 2011.