Hermann Sasse
Encyclopedia
Hermann Otto Erich ctonSasse (17 July 1895 – 9 August 1976) was a Lutheran theologian and author. He was considered one of the foremost confessional Lutheran
theologians of the 20th century.
Born in Sonnenwald, Germany
, Sasse began his career under the influence of the classical liberalism
of his teachers, such as Adolf Harnack. After spending a year as an exchange student at Hartford Theological Seminary in the United States
(1925-1926), Sasse returned to Germany to take up a teaching position at University of Erlangen. During this period, he became an active participant in the ecumenical movement. In the early 1930s, he emerged as a vocal critic of the National Socialist Party
and Germany's new chancellor, Adolf Hitler
. While he did not sign the 1934 Barmen Declaration
, he did author, with Dietrich Bonhoeffer
and others, the first draft of the lesser known Bethel Confession of 1933.
In 1949, Sasse emigrated to Adelaide, Australia, where he served on the faculty of the seminary of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia (later merged into the Lutheran Church of Australia
) until his death in 1976.
Confessional Lutheran
Confessional Lutheran is a name used by certain Lutheran Christians to designate themselves as those who accept the doctrines taught in the Book of Concord of 1580 in their entirety, because they believe them to be completely faithful to the teachings of the Bible...
theologians of the 20th century.
Born in Sonnenwald, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Sasse began his career under the influence of the classical liberalism
Classical liberalism
Classical liberalism is the philosophy committed to the ideal of limited government, constitutionalism, rule of law, due process, and liberty of individuals including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and free markets....
of his teachers, such as Adolf Harnack. After spending a year as an exchange student at Hartford Theological Seminary in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(1925-1926), Sasse returned to Germany to take up a teaching position at University of Erlangen. During this period, he became an active participant in the ecumenical movement. In the early 1930s, he emerged as a vocal critic of the National Socialist Party
National Socialist German Workers Party
The National Socialist German Workers' Party , commonly known in English as the Nazi Party, was a political party in Germany between 1920 and 1945. Its predecessor, the German Workers' Party , existed from 1919 to 1920...
and Germany's new chancellor, Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
. While he did not sign the 1934 Barmen Declaration
Barmen Declaration
The Barmen Declaration or The Theological Declaration of Barmen 1934 is a statement of the Confessing Church opposing the Nazi-supported "German Christians" movement known for its anti-Semitism and extreme nationalism...
, he did author, with Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian and martyr. He was a participant in the German resistance movement against Nazism and a founding member of the Confessing Church. He was involved in plans by members of the Abwehr to assassinate Adolf Hitler...
and others, the first draft of the lesser known Bethel Confession of 1933.
In 1949, Sasse emigrated to Adelaide, Australia, where he served on the faculty of the seminary of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia (later merged into the Lutheran Church of Australia
Lutheran Church of Australia
The Lutheran Church of Australia is the major Lutheran denomination in Australia, it also has a presence in New Zealand. It has 320 parishes, 540 congregations, 70,000 baptized members in Australia, 1,130 baptized members in New Zealand, 52,463 communicant members and 450 active pastors. Its...
) until his death in 1976.
Selected bibliography
- This Is My Body: Luther's Contention for the Real Presence in the Sacrament of the Altar. (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2001) ISBN 1-57910-766-4
- The Lonely Way: Selected Essays and Letters of Hermann Sasse: 1941-1976 (Concordia Publishing House, 2003) ISBN 0-7586-0004-6
- The Lonely Way: Selected Essays and Letters of Hermann Sasse: 1927-1939 (Concordia Publishing House, 2002) ISBN 0-570-01640-1
External links
- Sasse, Hermann Otto Erich (1895 - 1976) (Australian Dictionary of BiographyAustralian Dictionary of BiographyThe Australian Dictionary of Biography is a national, co-operative enterprise, founded and maintained by the Australian National University to produce authoritative biographical articles on eminent people in Australia's history....
) - Hermann Sasse and the Liturgical Movement by John T. Pless
- Selection of Prof. Dr Hermann Sasse's Writings (Confessional Lutherans Australia)
- Luther's Legacy to Christianity: We Are Beggars by Hermann Sasse
- Church and Lord's Supper by Hermann Sasse
- We Are Not Ashamed of Their Ardent Struggle by Hermann Sasse
- Hermann Sasse on "Lies"
- Herman Sasse on "Controversies in the Church"
- Preface to Vom Sakrament des Altars by Hermann Sasse
- History and content of the 1933 Bethel Confession