Wilhelm Stählin
Encyclopedia
Wilhelm Stählin was a German Lutheran theologian, bishop, preacher and one of the major initiators of the Liturgical Movement
in German Protestantism in the 20th Century.
After completing his school education in Augsburg
Stählin began studying theology in 1901 in Erlangen
, Rostock
and Berlin
. In 1905 he completed this theological examinations and served afterwards as a vicar in Bavaria. After a trip to England in 1908 Stählin became a parish pastor in Egloffstein and married. In 1913 he received his doctorate at the University of Marburg
. His dissertation dealt with the problem of biblical metaphors. In 1914 he founded the "Gesellschaft für Religionspsychologie" (The Society for Religious Psychology) and published the "Archive for Religious Psychology". At the same time he established contact with the German Youth Movement
of that time. He was a voluntary military chaplain in the German army from 1914 until 1916. In 1917 he became a parish pastor in Nürnberg. After World War I he intensified his contact to the German youth movement. In 1923 he was one of the initiators of the Berneuchen Movement
and in 1931 of the affiliated St. Michael's Brotherhood
. This movement saw its goal in a liturgical renewal of Protestantism. In 1926 Stählin became a professor for practical theology at the Westphalian Wilhelms-Universität in Münster
.
After 1933 he became an active member of the Confessing Church
. He withdrew his membership from this movement however in 1941. Having become a widower in 1945 he remarried in 1946.
From 1945 until 1952 he served as the bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oldenburg
. Since 1946 he was active in the Lutheran Liturgical Conference. Stählin retired in 1952; however, he continued to hold lectures for many years at the University of Münster.
After World War II Stählin founded and led together with Lorenz Cardinal Jaeger
an ecumenical study group of Catholic and Lutheran theologians called the "Jaeger-Stählin-Circle". He was the Lutheran head of this group from 1946 until 1970. Until this very day this group furthers the ecumenical discussion between Catholics and Lutherans.
As an exponent of liturgical renewal and as the author of sermon aids Stählin continues to influence a large number of German theologians to the present day.
Liturgical Movement
The Liturgical Movement began as a movement of scholarship for the reform of worship within the Roman Catholic Church. It has grown over the last century and a half and has affected many other Christian Churches, including the Church of England and other Churches of the Anglican Communion, and some...
in German Protestantism in the 20th Century.
After completing his school education in Augsburg
Augsburg
Augsburg is a city in the south-west of Bavaria, Germany. It is a university town and home of the Regierungsbezirk Schwaben and the Bezirk Schwaben. Augsburg is an urban district and home to the institutions of the Landkreis Augsburg. It is, as of 2008, the third-largest city in Bavaria with a...
Stählin began studying theology in 1901 in Erlangen
Erlangen
Erlangen is a Middle Franconian city in Bavaria, Germany. It is located at the confluence of the river Regnitz and its large tributary, the Untere Schwabach.Erlangen has more than 100,000 inhabitants....
, Rostock
Rostock
Rostock -Early history:In the 11th century Polabian Slavs founded a settlement at the Warnow river called Roztoc ; the name Rostock is derived from that designation. The Danish king Valdemar I set the town aflame in 1161.Afterwards the place was settled by German traders...
and Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. In 1905 he completed this theological examinations and served afterwards as a vicar in Bavaria. After a trip to England in 1908 Stählin became a parish pastor in Egloffstein and married. In 1913 he received his doctorate at the University of Marburg
Marburg
Marburg is a city in the state of Hesse, Germany, on the River Lahn. It is the main town of the Marburg-Biedenkopf district and its population, as of March 2010, was 79,911.- Founding and early history :...
. His dissertation dealt with the problem of biblical metaphors. In 1914 he founded the "Gesellschaft für Religionspsychologie" (The Society for Religious Psychology) and published the "Archive for Religious Psychology". At the same time he established contact with the German Youth Movement
German Youth Movement
The German Youth Movement is a collective term for a cultural and educational movement that started in 1896. It consists of numerous associations of young people that focus on outdoor activities. The movement included German Scouting and the Wandervogel...
of that time. He was a voluntary military chaplain in the German army from 1914 until 1916. In 1917 he became a parish pastor in Nürnberg. After World War I he intensified his contact to the German youth movement. In 1923 he was one of the initiators of the Berneuchen Movement
Berneuchen Movement
Berneuchen Movement is part of the Lutheran Liturgical movement in Germany. It originates from German Youth Movement.The movement was born in 1920s, after the radical changes caused by World War I...
and in 1931 of the affiliated St. Michael's Brotherhood
Evangelische Michaelsbruderschaft
The Evangelische Michaelsbruderschaft is a German religious Brotherhood belonging to Berneuchen Movement as a part of Lutheran Liturgical Movement....
. This movement saw its goal in a liturgical renewal of Protestantism. In 1926 Stählin became a professor for practical theology at the Westphalian Wilhelms-Universität in Münster
Münster
Münster is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland...
.
After 1933 he became an active member of the Confessing Church
Confessing Church
The Confessing Church was a Protestant schismatic church in Nazi Germany that arose in opposition to government-sponsored efforts to nazify the German Protestant church.-Demographics:...
. He withdrew his membership from this movement however in 1941. Having become a widower in 1945 he remarried in 1946.
From 1945 until 1952 he served as the bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oldenburg
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oldenburg
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oldenburg is a Protestant church in the German state of Lower Saxony. The seat of the church leaders is in Oldenburg , also the church of the bishop St. Lamberti....
. Since 1946 he was active in the Lutheran Liturgical Conference. Stählin retired in 1952; however, he continued to hold lectures for many years at the University of Münster.
After World War II Stählin founded and led together with Lorenz Cardinal Jaeger
Lorenz Jaeger
Lorenz Jaeger was a German Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Archbishop of Paderborn from 1941 to 1973, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1965.-Biography:...
an ecumenical study group of Catholic and Lutheran theologians called the "Jaeger-Stählin-Circle". He was the Lutheran head of this group from 1946 until 1970. Until this very day this group furthers the ecumenical discussion between Catholics and Lutherans.
As an exponent of liturgical renewal and as the author of sermon aids Stählin continues to influence a large number of German theologians to the present day.