Peter Lampe
Encyclopedia
Peter Lampe is a German theologian and Professor
of New Testament Studies
at the University of Heidelberg in Germany.
After studies in theology
, philosophy
and archaeology
at Bielefeld
and Göttingen
, Germany, and Rome
, Italy, he received his Ph.D.
and his Dr. habil.
at the University of Bern in Switzerland with works about the social history of the Christians in the city of Rome in the first two centuries and about the concept of ecclesiastical unity in the Pauline letters. As assistant professor (“Wissenschaftlicher Assistent“), he taught at the University of Bern from 1981 on, until, in 1986, he was called to a chair of New Testament Studies at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, USA. In 1992, he took the chair of History and Archaeology of Early Christianity and Its Environment at the University of Kiel
in Germany, where he also served as dean of the school of theology. In 1999, he accepted a call to the University of Heidelberg.
His works focus on the social history
of early Christianity (groundbreaking studies on, for example, early Christianity in Rome in the 1st/2nd centuries, and on Paul’s correspondence with Philemon; his work also contributed decisively to the paradigm shift toward a more contextual reading of the Letter to the Romans); on the Hellenistic background of early Christianity; on Pauline studies (including rhetorical studies
); on early Christian archaeology
and epigraphy
; as well as on methodological and hermeneutical questions. He pioneered applying constructivist
categories to New Testament exegesis and hermeneutics. Furthermore, he was one of the first to explore the potential of psychological interpretation
in his field.
Since 2001, he has directed annual archaeological campaigns in Phrygia
, Turkey. During these interdisciplinary campaigns, together with William Tabbernee of Tulsa, numerous unknown ancient settlements were discovered and archaeologically documented. Two of them are the best candidates so far in the search for the identification of the two holy centers of ancient Montanism
, Pepouza
and Tymion
. The Montanist patriarch resided at Pepouza, and the Montanists expected the heavenly Jerusalem to descend to earth at Pepouza
and Tymion
. In late antiquity, both places attracted crowds of pilgrims from all over the Roman Empire. Scholars had searched for these lost sites since the 19th century.
In 2003, Lampe received the German Ecumenical Preaching Award (Bonn, Germany). In 2008, he was made honorary professor
at the University of the Free State
in South Africa. In 2005, he co-founded the Research Center for International and Interdisciplinary Theology (FIIT) at the University of Heidelberg, and in 1997 he founded the Societas Theologicum Adiuvantium in Kiel. He is a K.St.J. (Germany) and an ordained Lutheran minister. He is married to Margaret Birdsong and has two children, Daniel and Jessica.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of New Testament Studies
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
at the University of Heidelberg in Germany.
After studies in theology
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...
, 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 archaeology
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
at Bielefeld
Bielefeld
Bielefeld is an independent city in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe Region in the north-east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With a population of 323,000, it is also the most populous city in the Regierungsbezirk Detmold...
and Göttingen
Göttingen
Göttingen is a university town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is the capital of the district of Göttingen. The Leine river runs through the town. In 2006 the population was 129,686.-General information:...
, Germany, and Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Italy, he received his Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
and his Dr. habil.
Habilitation
Habilitation is the highest academic qualification a scholar can achieve by his or her own pursuit in several European and Asian countries. Earned after obtaining a research doctorate, such as a PhD, habilitation requires the candidate to write a professorial thesis based on independent...
at the University of Bern in Switzerland with works about the social history of the Christians in the city of Rome in the first two centuries and about the concept of ecclesiastical unity in the Pauline letters. As assistant professor (“Wissenschaftlicher Assistent“), he taught at the University of Bern from 1981 on, until, in 1986, he was called to a chair of New Testament Studies at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, USA. In 1992, he took the chair of History and Archaeology of Early Christianity and Its Environment at the University of Kiel
University of Kiel
The University of Kiel is a university in the city of Kiel, Germany. It was founded in 1665 as the Academia Holsatorum Chiloniensis by Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp and has approximately 23,000 students today...
in Germany, where he also served as dean of the school of theology. In 1999, he accepted a call to the University of Heidelberg.
His works focus on the social history
Social history
Social history, often called the new social history, is a branch of History that includes history of ordinary people and their strategies of coping with life. In its "golden age" it was a major growth field in the 1960s and 1970s among scholars, and still is well represented in history departments...
of early Christianity (groundbreaking studies on, for example, early Christianity in Rome in the 1st/2nd centuries, and on Paul’s correspondence with Philemon; his work also contributed decisively to the paradigm shift toward a more contextual reading of the Letter to the Romans); on the Hellenistic background of early Christianity; on Pauline studies (including rhetorical studies
Rhetoric
Rhetoric is the art of discourse, an art that aims to improve the facility of speakers or writers who attempt to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations. As a subject of formal study and a productive civic practice, rhetoric has played a central role in the Western...
); on early Christian archaeology
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
and epigraphy
Epigraphy
Epigraphy Epigraphy Epigraphy (from the , literally "on-writing", is the study of inscriptions or epigraphs as writing; that is, the science of identifying the graphemes and of classifying their use as to cultural context and date, elucidating their meaning and assessing what conclusions can be...
; as well as on methodological and hermeneutical questions. He pioneered applying constructivist
Constructivist epistemology
Constructivist epistemology is an epistemological perspective in philosophy about the nature of scientific knowledge. Constructivists maintain that scientific knowledge is constructed by scientists and not discovered from the world. Constructivists claim that the concepts of science are mental...
categories to New Testament exegesis and hermeneutics. Furthermore, he was one of the first to explore the potential of psychological interpretation
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
in his field.
Since 2001, he has directed annual archaeological campaigns in Phrygia
Phrygia
In antiquity, Phrygia was a kingdom in the west central part of Anatolia, in what is now modern-day Turkey. The Phrygians initially lived in the southern Balkans; according to Herodotus, under the name of Bryges , changing it to Phruges after their final migration to Anatolia, via the...
, Turkey. During these interdisciplinary campaigns, together with William Tabbernee of Tulsa, numerous unknown ancient settlements were discovered and archaeologically documented. Two of them are the best candidates so far in the search for the identification of the two holy centers of ancient Montanism
Montanism
Montanism was an early Christian movement of the late 2nd century, later referred to by the name of its founder, Montanus, but originally known by its adherents as the New Prophecy...
, Pepouza
Pepuza
Pepuza was an ancient town in Phrygia, Asia Minor...
and Tymion
Tymion
Tymion was an ancient town in Phrygia, Asia Minor . Its site is located at the Turkish village of Şükranje...
. The Montanist patriarch resided at Pepouza, and the Montanists expected the heavenly Jerusalem to descend to earth at Pepouza
Pepuza
Pepuza was an ancient town in Phrygia, Asia Minor...
and Tymion
Tymion
Tymion was an ancient town in Phrygia, Asia Minor . Its site is located at the Turkish village of Şükranje...
. In late antiquity, both places attracted crowds of pilgrims from all over the Roman Empire. Scholars had searched for these lost sites since the 19th century.
In 2003, Lampe received the German Ecumenical Preaching Award (Bonn, Germany). In 2008, he was made honorary professor
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
at the University of the Free State
University of the Free State
The University of the Free State is situated in Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State, South Africa. The university also has a satellite campus in Qwaqwa that was, until 2003, part of the University of the North.-Academic Divisions:...
in South Africa. In 2005, he co-founded the Research Center for International and Interdisciplinary Theology (FIIT) at the University of Heidelberg, and in 1997 he founded the Societas Theologicum Adiuvantium in Kiel. He is a K.St.J. (Germany) and an ordained Lutheran minister. He is married to Margaret Birdsong and has two children, Daniel and Jessica.
Books
- 2008: Pepouza and Tymion: The Discovery and Archaeological Exploration of a Lost Ancient City and an Imperial Estate (deGruyter: Berlin/New York, 2008; together with W. Tabbernee) ISBN 978-3-11-019455-5 und ISBN 978-3-11-020859-7
- 2007: Küsste Jesus Magdalenen mitten auf den Mund?: Provokationen, Einsprüche, Klarstellungen (Neukirchener: Neukirchen-Vluyn, 2007) ISBN 978-3-7975-0142-4
- 2006: Die Wirklichkeit als Bild: Das Neue Testament als ein Grunddokument abendländischer Kultur im Lichte konstruktivistischer Epistemologie und Wissenssoziologie (Neukirchener: Neukirchen-Vluyn, 2006) ISBN 3-7887-1624-X.
- 2005: Wortglassplitter (a book of poetry; Athena: Oberhausen, 2005) ISBN 3-89896-225-3
- 2004: Felsen im Fluss: Schriftworte in provokativer Auslegung zu Themen der Zeit (Neukirchener: Neukirchen-Vluyn, 2004) ISBN 3-7975-0071-8
- 2003: From Paul to Valentinus: Christians at Rome in the First Two Centuries (Fortress: Minneapolis/Continuum: London, 2003) ISBN 0-8006-2702-4, ISBN 978-0-8006-2702-7, ISBN 0-8264-8102-7, ISBN 978-0-8264-8102-3
- 1998: Die Briefe an die Philipper, Thessalonicher und an Philemon, NTD 8/2 (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht: Göttingen 1998) (together with N. Walter and E. Reinmuth) ISBN 3-525-51381-X, ISBN 978-3-525-51381-1
- 1995: Pocahontas: Die Indianer-Prinzessin am Englischen Hof (Diederichs: München 1995) ISBN 3-424-01325-0
- 1987 + 1989: Die stadtrömischen Christen in den ersten beiden Jahrhunderten: Untersuchungen zur Sozialgeschichte, Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2/18 (Mohr-Siebeck: Tübingen 1987; 2nd, revised and enlarged edition 1989) ISBN 3-16-145048-5, ISSN 0340-9570, ISBN 3-16-145422-7, ISSN 0340-9570
- 1987 + 1993: Die Anfänge des Christentums: Alte Welt und neue Hoffnung (Kohlhammer: Stuttgart/Berlin/Köln/Mainz 1987) (together with J. Becker at al.) ISBN 3-17-001902-3, ISBN 978-3-17-001902-7. English translation: Christian Beginnings: Word and Community from Jesus to Post-Apostolic Times (Westminster/John Knox: Louisville 1993) ISBN 0-664-25195-1, ISBN 978-1-56338-264-2
- 1981 + 1982: Eschatologie und Friedenshandeln: Exegetische Beiträge zur Frage christlicher Friedensverantwortung, SBS 101 (Katholisches Bibelwerk: Stuttgart 1981; 2nd edition 1982) (together with U. Luz, J. Kegler, P. Hoffmann) ISBN 3-460-04011-4, ISBN 978-3-460-04011-3
- as editor, e.g.: 2008: Neutestamentliche Exegese im Dialog: Hermeneutik – Wirkungsgeschichte – Matthäusevangelium (Neukirchener: Neukirchen-Vluyn 2008) (together with M. Mayordomo, M. Sato) ISBN 978-3-7887-2283-8
- 2010: Neutestamentliche Grenzgänge: Symposium zur kritischen Rezeption der Arbeiten Gerd Theißens" (Göttingen: Vandenhoek and Ruprecht 2010) (together with H. Schwier) ISBN 978-3-525-53393-2
- 2010: Paul and Rhetoric" (New York/London: Clark 2010) (together with J.P. Sampley) ISBN 978-0-5670-2704-7
See also
- E.-M. Becker, ed., Neutestamentliche Wissenschaft, UTB 2475, Tübingen – Basel: 2003, 167-175
External links
- CV and Complete Bibliography of Peter Lampe: Webpage of the University of Heidelberg
- FIIT Webpage about Peter Lampe
- Who’s Who in the World (2003 ff) and Wer ist Wer (2003 ff)
- Peter Lampe in German Wikipedia
- German Ecumenical Preaching Award
- Research Center for International and Interdisciplinary Theology
- Societas Theologicum Ordinem Adiuvantium
- Portrait of Peter Lampe in DIE ZEIT