Karl Holl
Encyclopedia
Karl Holl was a Professor
of theology and church history at Tübingen and Berlin and is considered one of the most influential church historians of his era.
. He became a member of the Studentenverbindung
(student association) Normannia. While serving as a minister in Württemberg
, he completed his doctorate and became the lead tutor (Repetent) at the Tübinger Stift in 1891. From 1894 he was active as a research assistant at the Prussian Academy of Sciences
at the instigation of Adolf von Harnack
. He completed his Habilitation
in 1896 at the theological faculty of Berlin
. In 1901 he became associate professor (Extraordinarius) of church history at the University of Tübingen, from 1906 he was Professor (Ordinarius) at the University of Berlin
. On December 17, 1914 he was admitted as a full member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences
. He also served from 1912 to 1926 as “Ephorus” of the Evangelical Theological Seminary, the Stiftung Johanneum, in Berlin. His grave is located at the church cemetery in Stahnsdorf
.
. He published numerous studies on Martin Luther
, which made a fundamental contribution to scholarship and remain important today. Holl’s works interpret the Lutheran religious and God concept as “Gewissensreligion” (a religion of conscience) and helped spark the “Luther Renaissance.” He returned the doctrine of justification
to its place in the center of theology
.
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 theology and church history at Tübingen and Berlin and is considered one of the most influential church historians of his era.
Life
Karl Holl studied philosophy and theology at the Tübinger StiftTübinger Stift
The Tübinger Stift is a hall of residence and teaching; it is owned and supported by the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Württemberg, and located in the university city of Tübingen, in South West Germany. The Stift was originally founded as an Augustinian monastery in the Middle Ages...
. He became a member of the Studentenverbindung
Studentenverbindung
A Studentenverbindung is a student corporation in a German-speaking country somewhat comparable to fraternities in the US or Canada, but mostly older and going back to other kinds of...
(student association) Normannia. While serving as a minister in 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 completed his doctorate and became the lead tutor (Repetent) at the Tübinger Stift in 1891. From 1894 he was active as a research assistant at the Prussian Academy of Sciences
Prussian Academy of Sciences
The Prussian Academy of Sciences was an academy established in Berlin on 11 July 1700, four years after the Akademie der Künste or "Arts Academy", to which "Berlin Academy" may also refer.-Origins:...
at the instigation of Adolf von Harnack
Adolf von Harnack
Adolf von Harnack , was a German theologian and prominent church historian.He produced many religious publications from 1873-1912....
. He completed his Habilitation
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...
in 1896 at the theological faculty of Berlin
Humboldt University of Berlin
The Humboldt University of Berlin is Berlin's oldest university, founded in 1810 as the University of Berlin by the liberal Prussian educational reformer and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt, whose university model has strongly influenced other European and Western universities...
. In 1901 he became associate professor (Extraordinarius) of church history at the University of Tübingen, from 1906 he was Professor (Ordinarius) at the University of Berlin
Humboldt University of Berlin
The Humboldt University of Berlin is Berlin's oldest university, founded in 1810 as the University of Berlin by the liberal Prussian educational reformer and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt, whose university model has strongly influenced other European and Western universities...
. On December 17, 1914 he was admitted as a full member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences
Prussian Academy of Sciences
The Prussian Academy of Sciences was an academy established in Berlin on 11 July 1700, four years after the Akademie der Künste or "Arts Academy", to which "Berlin Academy" may also refer.-Origins:...
. He also served from 1912 to 1926 as “Ephorus” of the Evangelical Theological Seminary, the Stiftung Johanneum, in Berlin. His grave is located at the church cemetery in Stahnsdorf
Stahnsdorf
Stahnsdorf is a municipality in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district, in Brandenburg, Germany.-Geography:It is situated 20 km southwest of Berlin , and 12 km east of Potsdam.-History:...
.
Work
Karl Holl's theological development is characterized by the outlook of the “Tubingen school” of Ferdinand Christian BaurFerdinand Christian Baur
Ferdinand Christian Baur was a German theologian and leader of the Tübingen school of theology...
. He published numerous studies on Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
, which made a fundamental contribution to scholarship and remain important today. Holl’s works interpret the Lutheran religious and God concept as “Gewissensreligion” (a religion of conscience) and helped spark the “Luther Renaissance.” He returned the doctrine of justification
Justification
Justification may refer to:*Theory of justification, a part of epistemology that attempts to understand the justification of propositions and beliefs*Justification , defence in a prosecution for a criminal offense...
to its place in the center 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...
.
Original works
- Die Sacra Parallela des Johannes Damascenus, 1897
- Enthusiasmus und Bußgewalt beim griechischen Mönchtum, und Studium zu Symeon der Neuen Theologen, 1898
- Fragmente vornicänischer Kirchenväter aus den Sacra Parallela, 1899
- Amphilochius von Ikonium in seinem Verhältnis zu den großen Kappadoziern, 1904
- Die geist. Übungen des Ignatius von Loyola. Eine psychologische Studie, 1905
- Die Rechtfertigungslehre im Licht der Geschichte des Protestantismus, 1906
- Was hat die Rechtfertigungslehre dem modernen Menschen zu sagen?, 1907
- Der Modernismus, 1908
- Johannes Calvin, Rede zur Feier der 400. Wiederkehr des Geburtstages Calvins, 1909
- Die handschriftliche Überlieferung des Epiphanius, 1910
- Thomas Chalmers und die Anfänge der kirchlich-sozialen Bewegung, 1913
- Der Kirchenbegriff des Paulus in seinem Verhältnis zu dem der Urgemeinde, 1921
- Geschichtliche Aufsätze zur Kirchengeschichte I.: Luther (1. Was verstand Luther unter Religion? 2. Rechtfertigungslehre in Luthers Vorlesung über den Römerbrief mit besonderer Rücksicht auf die Frage der Heilsgewißheit. 3. Der Neubau der Sittlichkeit. 4. Die Entstehung von Luthers Kirchenbegriff. 5. Luther und das landesherrliche Kirchenregiment. 6. Luthers Urteile über sich selbst. 7. Luther und die Schwärmer. 8. Die Kulturbedeutung der Reformation 9. Luthers Bedeutung für den Fortschritt der Auslegungskunst), 1921
- Augustins innere Entwicklung, 1923
- Urchristentum und Religionsgeschichte, 1924
- Die Entstehung der vier Fastenzeiten in der griechischen Kirche, 1924
- Christliche Reden, 1926
- Geschichtliche Aufsätze zur Kirchengeschichte II.: Der Osten, 1927/28
- Geschichtliche Aufsätze zur Kirchengeschichte III.: Der Westen, 1928
English translations
- The cultural significance of the Reformation. New York: Meridian Books, 1959
- The Distinctive Elements in Christianity. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1937.
- What Did Luther Understand by Religion? Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1977.