Johann Christian Konrad von Hofmann
Encyclopedia
Johann Christian Konrad von Hofmann (December 21, 1810 - December 20, 1877) was a Lutheran theologian and historian
.
, and studied theology and history at the University of Erlangen. In 1829 he went to Berlin
, where Schleiermacher
, Hengstenberg
, Neander
, Ranke
and Raumer
were among his teachers.
In 1833 he received an appointment to teach Hebrew and history in the gymnasium
of Erlangen. In 1835 he became Repetent, in 1838 Privatdozent
and in 1841 professor extraordinarius in the theological faculty at Erlangen. In 1842 he became professor ordinarius at the University of Rostock
, but in 1845 returned once more to Erlangen as the successor of Gottlieb Christoph Adolf von Harless
, founder of the Zeitschrift für Protestantismus und Kirche, of which Hofmann became one of the editors in 1846, J. F. Höfling
(1802–1853) and Gottfried Thomasius
(1802–1875) being his collaborators. He was a conservative in theology, but an enthusiastic adherent of the progressive party in politics, and sat as member for Erlangen and Fürth in the Bavarian second chamber from 1863 to 1868.
His most important works are the five last named. In theology, as in ecclesiastical polity, Hofmann was a Lutheran of an extreme type, although the strongly marked individuality of some of his opinions laid him open to repeated accusations of heterodoxy
. He was the head of what has been called the Erlangen School, and in his day he was unquestionably the chief glory of the University of Erlangen (Lichtenberger).
; and cf. F. Lichtenberger, History of German Theology in the Nineteenth Century (1889) pp. 446–458.
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
.
Biography
He was born at NurembergNuremberg
Nuremberg[p] is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, it is located about north of Munich and is Franconia's largest city. The population is 505,664...
, and studied theology and history at the University of Erlangen. In 1829 he went to 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...
, where Schleiermacher
Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher
Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher was a German theologian and philosopher known for his attempt to reconcile the criticisms of the Enlightenment with traditional Protestant orthodoxy. He also became influential in the evolution of Higher Criticism, and his work forms part of the foundation of...
, Hengstenberg
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg
Ernst Wilhelm Theodor Herrmann Hengstenberg , was a German Lutheran churchman and neo-Lutheran theologian.He was born at Frondenberg, a Westphalian village, and was educated by his father, who was a minister of the Reformed Church and head of the Frondenberg convent of canonesses...
, Neander
August Neander
Johann August Wilhelm Neander , was a German theologian and church historian.-Biography:Neander was born at Göttingen as David Mendel. His father, Emmanuel Mendel, is said to have been a Jewish pedlar, but August adopted the name of Neander on his baptism as a Protestant Christian...
, Ranke
Leopold von Ranke
Leopold von Ranke was a German historian, considered one of the founders of modern source-based history. Ranke set the standards for much of later historical writing, introducing such ideas as reliance on primary sources , an emphasis on narrative history and especially international politics .-...
and Raumer
Friedrich Ludwig Georg von Raumer
Friedrich Ludwig Georg von Raumer was a German historian. He was the first scientific historian to popularize history in German. He traveled extensively and served in German legislative bodies.-Biography:...
were among his teachers.
In 1833 he received an appointment to teach Hebrew and history in the gymnasium
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
of Erlangen. In 1835 he became Repetent, in 1838 Privatdozent
Privatdozent
Privatdozent or Private lecturer is a title conferred in some European university systems, especially in German-speaking countries, for someone who pursues an academic career and holds all formal qualifications to become a tenured university professor...
and in 1841 professor extraordinarius in the theological faculty at Erlangen. In 1842 he became professor ordinarius at the University of Rostock
University of Rostock
The University of Rostock is the university of the city Rostock, in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.Founded in 1419, it is the oldest and largest university in continental northern Europe and the Baltic Sea area...
, but in 1845 returned once more to Erlangen as the successor of Gottlieb Christoph Adolf von Harless
Gottlieb Christoph Adolf von Harless
Gottlieb Christoph Adolf von Harless , was a German Lutheran theologian.-Life:He was born at Nuremberg. As a youth, he was interested in music and poetry, and was attracted by ancient and German classical literature, especially by Jean Paul. He was indifferent to Christianity...
, founder of the Zeitschrift für Protestantismus und Kirche, of which Hofmann became one of the editors in 1846, J. F. Höfling
Johann Wilhelm Friedrich Höfling
Johann Wilhelm Friedrich Höfling was a German Lutheran theologian born in Neudrossenfeld, Bavaria.He studied philology and theology at Erlangen, and following his theological exam served as a vicar in Würzburg and afterwards as a minister in Nuremberg...
(1802–1853) and Gottfried Thomasius
Gottfried Thomasius
Gottfried Thomasius was a German Lutheran theologian born in Egenhausen, Middle Franconia.He studied philosophy and theology in Erlangen, Halle and Berlin, and as a student had renowned instructors that included Friedrich Schleiermacher, August Neander, G. W. F. Hegel, Philip Marheineke and...
(1802–1875) being his collaborators. He was a conservative in theology, but an enthusiastic adherent of the progressive party in politics, and sat as member for Erlangen and Fürth in the Bavarian second chamber from 1863 to 1868.
Works
- Die siebzig Jahre des Jeremias u. die siebzig Jahrwochen des Daniel (1836)
- Geschichte des Aufruhrs in den Cevennen (1837)
- Lehrbuch der Weltgeschichte fur Gymnasien (1839), which became a text-book in the Protestant gymnasia of BavariaBavariaBavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
- Weissagung u. Erfullung im allen u. neuen Testamente (1841–1844; 2nd ed., 1857–1860)
- Der Schriftbeweis (1852–1856; 2nd ed., 1857 1860)
- Die heilige Schrift des neuen Testaments zusanimenhangend untersucht (1862–1875)
- Schutzschriften (1856–1859), in which he defends himself against the charge of denying the Atonement
- Theologische Ethik (1878)
His most important works are the five last named. In theology, as in ecclesiastical polity, Hofmann was a Lutheran of an extreme type, although the strongly marked individuality of some of his opinions laid him open to repeated accusations of heterodoxy
Heterodoxy
Heterodoxy is generally defined as "any opinions or doctrines at variance with an official or orthodox position". As an adjective, heterodox is commonly used to describe a subject as "characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards"...
. He was the head of what has been called the Erlangen School, and in his day he was unquestionably the chief glory of the University of Erlangen (Lichtenberger).
Further reading
See the articles in Herzog-Hauck's Realencyklopädie and the Allgemeine deutsche BiographieAllgemeine Deutsche Biographie
Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie is one of the most important and most comprehensive biographical reference works in the German language....
; and cf. F. Lichtenberger, History of German Theology in the Nineteenth Century (1889) pp. 446–458.