Johann Melchior Goeze
Encyclopedia
Johann Melchior Goeze (born October 16, 1717 in Halberstadt
, †May 19, 1786 in Hamburg
) was a Lutheran pastor and theologian during the period of Late Orthodoxy.
Goeze studied in the universities of Jena and Halle, writing a doctoral dissertation on early Christian apologetics
. In 1741, he became the pastor in Aschersleben
. In 1750, he took his ministry to Magdeburg
, and from 1755 onward he served as the senior pastor St. Catherine's in Hamburg.
Goeze was familiar with literature and took up writing histories and apologetics. The latter led him to write against various proponents of the Enlightenment
. In 1764, he wrote against Johann Bernhard Basedow
, in 1769, against Johann Georg Schlosser, in 1771 against Johann Salomo Semler
, the founder of the historical critical method, in 1773, against Karl Friedrich Bahrdt
, and in 1769 against Julius Gustav Alberti, the first Rationalist pastor in Hamburg. The next year, in 1770, he published his best work, The True Nature of Religious Zeal.
Goeze became well known chiefly for his debate with Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
from 1777-81. Goeze urged him to repentance, but little came out of the debate. Lessing responded with a number of rather polemic texts, finally resulting in Lessing being prohibited in writing on religious matters. Privately, Lessing showed respect for Goeze by always making sure to visit him when he came to Hamburg.
Halberstadt
Halberstadt is a town in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt and the capital of the district of Harz. It is located on the German Half-Timbered House Road and the Magdeburg–Thale railway....
, †May 19, 1786 in Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
) was a Lutheran pastor and theologian during the period of Late Orthodoxy.
Goeze studied in the universities of Jena and Halle, writing a doctoral dissertation on early Christian apologetics
Apologetics
Apologetics is the discipline of defending a position through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers Apologetics (from Greek ἀπολογία, "speaking in defense") is the discipline of defending a position (often religious) through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers...
. In 1741, he became the pastor in Aschersleben
Aschersleben
Aschersleben is a town in the Salzlandkreis district, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated approx. 22 km east of Quedlinburg, and 45 km northwest of Halle .-Pre-20th century:...
. In 1750, he took his ministry to Magdeburg
Magdeburg
Magdeburg , is the largest city and the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe River and was one of the most important medieval cities of Europe....
, and from 1755 onward he served as the senior pastor St. Catherine's in Hamburg.
Goeze was familiar with literature and took up writing histories and apologetics. The latter led him to write against various proponents of the Enlightenment
Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was an elite cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe that sought to mobilize the power of reason in order to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted intellectual interchange and opposed intolerance and abuses in church and state...
. In 1764, he wrote against Johann Bernhard Basedow
Johann Bernhard Basedow
Johann Bernhard Basedow was a German educational reformer, teacher and writer. He founded the Philanthropinum, a short-lived but influential progressive school in Dessau, and was the author of "Elementarwerk", a popular illustrated textbook for children.-Early years:Basedow was born in Hamburg,...
, in 1769, against Johann Georg Schlosser, in 1771 against Johann Salomo Semler
Johann Salomo Semler
Johann Salomo Semler was a German church historian and biblical commentator.-Youth and education:He was born at Saalfeld in Electoral Saxony, the son of a poor clergyman. He grew up in pietistic surroundings, which powerfully influenced him his life through, though he never became a Pietist...
, the founder of the historical critical method, in 1773, against Karl Friedrich Bahrdt
Karl Friedrich Bahrdt
Karl Friedrich Bahrdt , German theologian and adventurer, was born at Bischofswerda, Upper Lusatia, where his father, afterwards professor, canon and general superintendent at Leipzig, was pastor....
, and in 1769 against Julius Gustav Alberti, the first Rationalist pastor in Hamburg. The next year, in 1770, he published his best work, The True Nature of Religious Zeal.
Goeze became well known chiefly for his debate with Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing was a German writer, philosopher, dramatist, publicist, and art critic, and one of the most outstanding representatives of the Enlightenment era. His plays and theoretical writings substantially influenced the development of German literature...
from 1777-81. Goeze urged him to repentance, but little came out of the debate. Lessing responded with a number of rather polemic texts, finally resulting in Lessing being prohibited in writing on religious matters. Privately, Lessing showed respect for Goeze by always making sure to visit him when he came to Hamburg.
Works
- Homily of 1759 to contemplate the reconstruction of the tower of the church in 1659. Erneuertes Andenken der im Jahr 1659, den 3ten Febr. glücklich vollendeten Wiederherstellung des Thurms und der Hauptkirche zu St. Catharinen in Hamburg : welche im Jahr 1648, den 15ten Februar, durch einen erschröcklichen Sturmwind zerbrochen und verwüstet worden : Durch eine Dank- und Gedächtnis-Predigt Hamburg, 1759.
- Goezes Streitschriften gegen Lessing or Goeze's Debate Writings Against Lessing. Deutsche Litteraturdenkemale 43/45. Stuttgart: G.J. "Goschen'sche Verlangshandlung," 1893, 208 pages. (Google Books)
- Etwas vorläufiges gegen des Herrn Hofraths Lessings mittelbare und unmittelbare feindselige Angriffe auf unsre allerheiligste Religion und auf den einigen Lehrgrund derselben, die heilige Schrift or A Small, Tentative Response against Mr. Hofrath Lessing's Direct and Indirect Hostile Attack on our Most Holy Religion and on the Sole Basis of its Teachings, the Holy Scriptures. Hamburg: Gedruckt und zu bekommen bey D.A. Harmsen, 1778. (Google Books)
- Die Wichtigsten Abschnitte der Lehre vom Tode: In einigen heiligen Reden abgehandelt or The Most Important Sections of the Doctrine of Death, Dealt with in Some Sacred Discourses. Breslau and Leipzig: Korn, 1753. (Google Books)
- Heilsame Betrachtungen des Todes und der Ewigkeit, auf alle Tage des Jahres or Salutary Considerations on Mortality and Eternity, on all Days of the Year. Breslau and Leipzig: Korn, 1767. (Google Books for Vol. 1 and Google Books for Vol. 2)
- Heilsame Betrachtungen der Geschichte des grossen Leydens und Versönungs-Todes Jesu Christi auf alle Tage des Jahrs: Vier Theile or Salutary Reflections of the History of the Great Suffering and Atoning Death of Jesus Christ on All Days of the Year: in Four Parts. Mevius, 1760. 544 pages. (Google Books for January-May, Google Books for April-June, Google Books for July-September, Google Books for October-December)
- Eine Probe von der Art, wie der Herr D. Semler seine Zeugen anzuführen pflegt: Kennern und Freunden der Wahrheit zur unpartheyischen Beurtheilung, und zur Erweckung, zum Vortheile der Wahrheit und der Religion, ähnliche Untersuchungen anzustellen or Undertake a Sampling of those like Dr. Semler, Who Won't Reveal his Sources: Judge, Experts and Friends of the Simple Truth, for the Awakening, and conduct Similar Studies for the Benefit of Truth and Religion. Hamburg: Bode, 1771, 32 pages. (Google Books)