Johann Christian Wilhelm Augusti
Encyclopedia
Johann Christian Wilhelm Augusti (1772–1841) was a German
theologian
.
Born at Eschenberga, near Gotha
, Augusti was of Jewish descent, his grandfather having been a converted rabbi
. He was educated at the gymnasium
of Gotha and the University of Jena. At Jena he studied Oriental languages, of which he became professor there in 1803. Subsequently he was professor of theology
(1812), and for a time rector, at Breslau. In 1819 he transferred to the University of Bonn
, where he was made professor primarius. In 1828 he was appointed chief member of the consistorial council at Koblenz
. There he was afterwards made director of the consistory. He died at Koblenz.
Augusti had little sympathy with the modern philosophical interpretations of dogma
, and he held to the traditional faith. His works on theology (Dogmengeschichte, 1805) are simple statements of fact; they do not attempt a speculative treatment of their subjects. In 1809 he published in conjunction with WML de Wette
a new translation of the Old Testament
, Grundriss einer historisch critischen Einleitung ins Alte Testament (1806), his Exegetisches Handbuch des Alten Testaments (1797–1800), and his edition of Die Apochryphen des A. T. (1804).
In addition to these, his most important writings are the Denkwürdigkeiten aus der Christlichen Archäologie, 12 vols. (1817–1831), a partially digested class of materials, and the Handbuch der Christ. Archäologie, (1836–1837), which gives the substance of the larger work in a more compact and systematic form.
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...
theologian
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...
.
Born at Eschenberga, near Gotha
Gotha (town)
Gotha is a town in Thuringia, within the central core of Germany. It is the capital of the district of Gotha.- History :The town has existed at least since the 8th century, when it was mentioned in a document signed by Charlemagne as Villa Gotaha . Its importance derives from having been chosen in...
, Augusti was of Jewish descent, his grandfather having been a converted rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
. He was educated at 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 Gotha and the University of Jena. At Jena he studied Oriental languages, of which he became professor there in 1803. Subsequently he was professor of 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...
(1812), and for a time rector, at Breslau. In 1819 he transferred to the University of Bonn
University of Bonn
The University of Bonn is a public research university located in Bonn, Germany. Founded in its present form in 1818, as the linear successor of earlier academic institutions, the University of Bonn is today one of the leading universities in Germany. The University of Bonn offers a large number...
, where he was made professor primarius. In 1828 he was appointed chief member of the consistorial council at Koblenz
Koblenz
Koblenz is a German city situated on both banks of the Rhine at its confluence with the Moselle, where the Deutsches Eck and its monument are situated.As Koblenz was one of the military posts established by Drusus about 8 BC, the...
. There he was afterwards made director of the consistory. He died at Koblenz.
Augusti had little sympathy with the modern philosophical interpretations of dogma
Dogma
Dogma is the established belief or doctrine held by a religion, or a particular group or organization. It is authoritative and not to be disputed, doubted, or diverged from, by the practitioners or believers...
, and he held to the traditional faith. His works on theology (Dogmengeschichte, 1805) are simple statements of fact; they do not attempt a speculative treatment of their subjects. In 1809 he published in conjunction with WML de Wette
Wilhelm Martin Leberecht de Wette
Wilhelm Martin Leberecht de Wette , was a German theologian and biblical scholar.-Life and Education:He was born at Ulla, near Weimar, where his father was pastor. He was sent to the gymnasium at Weimar, then at the height of its literary fame...
a new translation of the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
, Grundriss einer historisch critischen Einleitung ins Alte Testament (1806), his Exegetisches Handbuch des Alten Testaments (1797–1800), and his edition of Die Apochryphen des A. T. (1804).
In addition to these, his most important writings are the Denkwürdigkeiten aus der Christlichen Archäologie, 12 vols. (1817–1831), a partially digested class of materials, and the Handbuch der Christ. Archäologie, (1836–1837), which gives the substance of the larger work in a more compact and systematic form.