Christian Friedrich Schmid
Encyclopedia
Christian Friedrich Schmid (May 25, 1794 – March 28, 1852) was a German Lutheran theologian born in the village of Bickelsberg
(now part of Rosenfeld
), Württemberg
.
He received his education at seminaries
in Denkendorf
, Maulbronn
and Tübingen
, later becoming an associate professor of practical theology
at the University of Tübingen (1821). In 1826 he was appointed a full professor at Tübingen, a position he maintained for the rest of his career.
Schmid was an important representative of the school of Supranaturalism at Tübingen
. He was an advocate of the positive foundations of Lutheranism
, a theological trend which dated back to the time of Johann Albrecht Bengel
(1657-1752). He was considered an excellent instructor, his lectures primarily dealing with practical, moral and exegetical
theology. Among his better known students were Philip Schaff
(1819-1893), Isaak August Dorner
(1809-1884) and William Julius Mann
(1819-1892).
He published relatively little during his lifetime, his best known work Biblische Theologie des neuen Testaments (Biblical Theology of the New Testament) was published posthumously in 1853, and later translated into English in 1870. Another noted work, Christliche Sittenlehre (Christian Ethics- 1861) was also published after his death.
Rosenfeld, Germany
Rosenfeld is a town in the Zollernalbkreis district, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated 10 km west of Balingen....
(now part of Rosenfeld
Rosenfeld, Germany
Rosenfeld is a town in the Zollernalbkreis district, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated 10 km west of Balingen....
), 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....
.
He received his education at seminaries
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
in Denkendorf
Denkendorf, Baden-Württemberg
Denkendorf is a municipality in the district of Esslingen in Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. It is located 5 km south of Esslingen, and 14 km southeast of Stuttgart.-References:...
, Maulbronn
Maulbronn
Maulbronn is a city in the district of Enz in Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany.-History:Founded in 1838, it emerged from a settlement, built around a monastery, which belonged to the Neckar Community in the Kingdom of Württemberg. In 1886, Maulbronn officially became a German town and was an...
and Tübingen
Tübingen
Tübingen is a traditional university town in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated south of the state capital, Stuttgart, on a ridge between the Neckar and Ammer rivers.-Geography:...
, later becoming an associate professor of practical theology
Practical theology
Practical theology is the practical application of theology to everyday life. Richard Osmer explains that the four key questions and tasks in practical theology are:# What is going on? # Why is this going on?...
at the University of Tübingen (1821). In 1826 he was appointed a full professor at Tübingen, a position he maintained for the rest of his career.
Schmid was an important representative of the school of Supranaturalism at Tübingen
Tübingen
Tübingen is a traditional university town in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated south of the state capital, Stuttgart, on a ridge between the Neckar and Ammer rivers.-Geography:...
. He was an advocate of the positive foundations of Lutheranism
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
, a theological trend which dated back to the time of Johann Albrecht Bengel
Johann Albrecht Bengel
Johann Albrecht Bengel , Lutheran pietist clergyman and Greek-language scholar known for his edition of the Greek New Testament and his commentaries on it.-Life and career:Bengel was born at Winnenden in Württemberg, Germany....
(1657-1752). He was considered an excellent instructor, his lectures primarily dealing with practical, moral and exegetical
Exegesis
Exegesis is a critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially a religious text. Traditionally the term was used primarily for exegesis of the Bible; however, in contemporary usage it has broadened to mean a critical explanation of any text, and the term "Biblical exegesis" is used...
theology. Among his better known students were Philip Schaff
Philip Schaff
Philip Schaff , was a Swiss-born, German-educated Protestant theologian and a historian of the Christian church, who, after his education, lived and taught in the United States.-Biography:...
(1819-1893), Isaak August Dorner
Isaak August Dorner
Isaak August Dorner was a German Lutheran church leader.-Life:He was born at Neuhausen ob Eck in Württemberg, where his father was pastor. He was educated at Maulbronn and the University of Tübingen...
(1809-1884) and William Julius Mann
William Julius Mann
William Julius Mann was an American Lutheran theologian and author, born in Stuttgart, Germany. He studied there and at Tübingen and was ordained in 1841. Three years later he came to the United States with Dr. Philip Schaff and settled in Philadelphia. There he was assistant pastor and pastor ...
(1819-1892).
He published relatively little during his lifetime, his best known work Biblische Theologie des neuen Testaments (Biblical Theology of the New Testament) was published posthumously in 1853, and later translated into English in 1870. Another noted work, Christliche Sittenlehre (Christian Ethics- 1861) was also published after his death.