Eberhard Jüngel (5 December 1934 – 28 September 2021) was a German
Lutheran
Lutheranism is one of the largest branches of Protestantism, identifying primarily with the theology of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German monk and reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practice of the Catholic Church launched th ...
theologian. He was Emeritus Professor of
Systematic Theology
Systematic theology, or systematics, is a discipline of Christian theology that formulates an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the doctrines of the Christian faith. It addresses issues such as what the Bible teaches about certain topi ...
and the Philosophy of Religion at the Faculty of Protestant Theology of the
University of Tübingen
The University of Tübingen, officially the Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen (german: Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen; la, Universitas Eberhardina Carolina), is a public research university located in the city of Tübingen, Baden-Wü ...
.
Life and work
Jüngel was born in
Magdeburg
Magdeburg (; nds, label=Low Saxon, Meideborg ) is the capital and second-largest city of the German state Saxony-Anhalt. The city is situated at the Elbe river.
Otto I, the first Holy Roman Emperor and founder of the Archdiocese of Magdebur ...
on 5 December 1934 as the son of the electrician Kurt Jüngel and his wife Margarete née Rothemann,
into a non-religious home.
After World War II, Magdeburg was located in the
German Democratic Republic
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
(GDR).
He remembered that his decision to pursue a career in theology was met with "the concerned astonishment" of his mother and "the resolute refusal" of his father.'
However, it was precisely the
communist
Communism (from Latin la, communis, lit=common, universal, label=none) is a far-left sociopolitical, philosophical, and economic ideology and current within the socialist movement whose goal is the establishment of a communist society, a s ...
milieu of his youth which led him to
Christian theology
Christian theology is the theology of Christianity, Christian belief and practice. Such study concentrates primarily upon the texts of the Old Testament and of the New Testament, as well as on Christian tradition. Christian theology, theologian ...
: "That was the discovery of the church as the one place within a
Stalinist
Stalinism is the means of governing and Marxist-Leninist policies implemented in the Soviet Union from 1927 to 1953 by Joseph Stalin. It included the creation of a one-party totalitarian police state, rapid industrialization, the theory o ...
society where one could speak the truth without being penalized."
Jüngel studied undergraduate theology at the (Theological Seminary of East Berlin).
During this time he was particularly interested in the works of
Ernst Fuchs and
Heinrich Vogel Heinrich Vogel (April 9, 1902 – December 26, 1989) was an evangelical theologian, poet of sacred texts and songs and composer of numerous motets and chamber music.
He studied theology at the University of Berlin and the University of Jena. In 1927 ...
, who influenced his work throughout his life.
He concluded his undergraduate theological studies in Switzerland in 1957 and 1958, working with
Gerhard Ebeling at the
University of Zürich
The University of Zürich (UZH, german: Universität Zürich) is a public research university located in the city of Zürich, Switzerland. It is the largest university in Switzerland, with its 28,000 enrolled students. It was founded in 1833 f ...
, and with
Karl Barth
Karl Barth (; ; – ) was a Swiss Calvinist theologian. Barth is best known for his commentary '' The Epistle to the Romans'', his involvement in the Confessing Church, including his authorship (except for a single phrase) of the Barmen Declara ...
at the
University of Basel
The University of Basel (Latin: ''Universitas Basiliensis'', German: ''Universität Basel'') is a university in Basel, Switzerland. Founded on 4 April 1460, it is Switzerland's oldest university and among the world's oldest surviving universit ...
.
In 1961, he completed his doctorate supervised by Fuchs on (Paulus and Jesus. An investigation to clarify the question of the origin of Christology).
He completed his
habilitation
Habilitation is the highest university degree, or the procedure by which it is achieved, in many European countries. The candidate fulfills a university's set criteria of excellence in research, teaching and further education, usually including a ...
in systematic theology in 1962 at the Kirchliche Hochschule Berlin-Ost.
In 1962, as a direct result of the erection of the
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall (german: Berliner Mauer, ) was a guarded concrete barrier that encircled West Berlin from 1961 to 1989, separating it from East Berlin and East Germany (GDR). Construction of the Berlin Wall was commenced by the government ...
,
Jüngel was appointed to the position of Dozent für Neues Testament (Lecturer in
New Testament
The New Testament grc, Ἡ Καινὴ Διαθήκη, transl. ; la, Novum Testamentum. (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Christ ...
) in the Hochschule, a position he retained until 1966.
At the end of his tenure at the Hochschule, Jüngel was appointed Ordinarius für Systematische Theologie und Dogmengeschichte (Professor of
systematic theology
Systematic theology, or systematics, is a discipline of Christian theology that formulates an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the doctrines of the Christian faith. It addresses issues such as what the Bible teaches about certain topi ...
and history of dogmatics) at the University of Zürich, where he taught until 1969.
Moving to
West Germany
West Germany is the colloquial term used to indicate the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG; german: Bundesrepublik Deutschland , BRD) between its formation on 23 May 1949 and the German reunification through the accession of East Germany on 3 O ...
in 1969, Jüngel accepted a position of Ordinarius für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie (Professor of Systematic Theology and
Philosophy of Religion
Philosophy of religion is "the philosophical examination of the central themes and concepts involved in religious traditions". Philosophical discussions on such topics date from ancient times, and appear in the earliest known texts concerning ph ...
) at the
University of Tübingen
The University of Tübingen, officially the Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen (german: Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen; la, Universitas Eberhardina Carolina), is a public research university located in the city of Tübingen, Baden-Wü ...
, where he also assumed the role of director of the Institute for
Hermeneutics
Hermeneutics () is the theory and methodology of interpretation, especially the interpretation of biblical texts, wisdom literature, and philosophical texts. Hermeneutics is more than interpretative principles or methods used when immediate c ...
.
Despite a plethora of offers for positions at other universities, Jüngel remained at Tübingen until his retirement in 2003.
His successor was the systematic theologian
Christoph Schwöbel.
Jüngel held a number of additional positions throughout his academic career:
* Between 1987 and 2005, he was Ephorus (Director) of , a Protestant house of studies and teaching founded in 1536 in a former
Augustinian Augustinian may refer to:
*Augustinians, members of religious orders following the Rule of St Augustine
*Augustinianism, the teachings of Augustine of Hippo and his intellectual heirs
*Someone who follows Augustine of Hippo
* Canons Regular of Sain ...
monastery
A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer which ...
.
He was succeeded in 2005 by the Theologian and Church Historian .
* From 2003 to 2006, he was the director of the ''Forschungsstätte der Evangelischen Studiengemeinschaft'' (Research Centre for Protestant Studies) in
Heidelberg
Heidelberg (; Palatine German language, Palatine German: ''Heidlberg'') is a city in the States of Germany, German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the river Neckar in south-west Germany. As of the 2016 census, its population was 159,914 ...
.
* In 2007, he was appointed the ''Gadamer-Stiftungsprofessor'' (
Hans-Georg Gadamer
Hans-Georg Gadamer (; ; February 11, 1900 – March 13, 2002) was a German philosopher of the continental tradition, best known for his 1960 ''magnum opus'', '' Truth and Method'' (''Wahrheit und Methode''), on hermeneutics.
Life
Family an ...
Chair in Theology) at the
University of Heidelberg
}
Heidelberg University, officially the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, (german: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg; la, Universitas Ruperto Carola Heidelbergensis) is a public research university in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, ...
.
He was a member of the
Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters ( no, Det Norske Videnskaps-Akademi, DNVA) is a learned society based in Oslo, Norway. Its purpose is to support the advancement of science and scholarship in Norway.
History
The Royal Frederick Univer ...
,
also Chancellor of the Order
Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts
Pour may refer to these people:
* Kour Pour (born 1987), British artist of part-Iranian descent
* Mehdi Niyayesh Pour (born 1992), Iranian footballer
* Mojtaba Mobini Pour (born 1991), Iranian footballer
* Pouya Jalili Pour (born 1976), Iranian si ...
,
and a member of the Synod of the
Protestant Church in Germany
The Evangelical Church in Germany (german: Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland, abbreviated EKD) is a federation of twenty Lutheran, Reformed (Calvinist) and United (e.g. Prussian Union) Protestant regional churches and denominations in Germany, ...
.
In 1994, he received the Knight Commander's Cross of the
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (german: Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, or , BVO) is the only federal decoration of Germany. It is awarded for special achievements in political, economic, cultural, intellect ...
and in 2000 the
Medal of Merit of the State of Baden-Württemberg.
Jüngel received honorary doctorates from the
University of Greifswald
The University of Greifswald (; german: Universität Greifswald), formerly also known as “Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University of Greifswald“, is a public research university located in Greifswald, Germany, in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pom ...
and from the
University of Basel
The University of Basel (Latin: ''Universitas Basiliensis'', German: ''Universität Basel'') is a university in Basel, Switzerland. Founded on 4 April 1460, it is Switzerland's oldest university and among the world's oldest surviving universit ...
.
Jüngel died in Tübingen on 28 September 2021.
Theology
Main features of Jüngel's theology (Evolution and inner consistency):
# Paul and Jesus – Jüngel's thesis deals with the issues arising from the interpretation of the
New Testament
The New Testament grc, Ἡ Καινὴ Διαθήκη, transl. ; la, Novum Testamentum. (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Christ ...
# God's being is in becoming – His first book in the area of
dogmatic theology
Dogmatic theology, also called dogmatics, is the part of theology dealing with the theoretical truths of faith concerning God and God's works, especially the official theology recognized by an organized Church body, such as the Roman Catholic Ch ...
# Christology: exegesis and dogmatics – Understanding of the relationship between the historical and the dogmatic in Christology
# God the mystery of the world: speaking about God, thinking about God, the human god
# Atheism and the theology of death – His response to atheism, and his theology of death
# Anthropology and justification – Relation between God and man
# Anthropology and analogy – The man who expresses God
# Towards a theology of the natural – Confrontation of the Christian faith with the contemporary experience of reality
Bibliography
German works
*''Gott als Geheimnis der Welt: Zur Begründung der Theologie des Gekreuzigten im Streit zwischen Theismus und Atheismus'', Mohr Siebeck, 1982.
Translation into English
* ''Christ, Justice and Peace: Toward a Theology of the State in Dialogue with the Barmen Declaration'' (ET 1992, translated by
Alan Torrance Alan Torrance (born 1956) is professor of systematic theology at St Mary's College of the University of St Andrews. Previously he lectured at King's College London from 1993–1998, where he was also Director of the Research Institute in Systematic ...
and D. Bruce Hamill).
* ''Death: The Riddle and the Mystery'' (ET 1975).
* ''The Freedom of a Christian: Luther's Significance for Contemporary Theology'' (ET 1988).
* ''God as the Mystery of the World: On the Foundation of the Theology of the Crucified One in the Dispute between Theism and Atheism'' (ET 1983).
* ''God's Being Is in Becoming: The Trinitarian Being of God in the Theology of
Karl Barth
Karl Barth (; ; – ) was a Swiss Calvinist theologian. Barth is best known for his commentary '' The Epistle to the Romans'', his involvement in the Confessing Church, including his authorship (except for a single phrase) of the Barmen Declara ...
– A Paraphrase'' (ET 2001); previously translated as The Doctrine of the Trinity (ET 1976).
* "The Gospel and the Protestant Churches of Europe: Christian Responsibility for Europe from a Protestant Perspective," in ''Religion, State and Society'' 21:2 (1993), pp. 137–149.
* ''Justification: The Heart of the Christian Faith'' (ET 2001).
* ''
Karl Barth
Karl Barth (; ; – ) was a Swiss Calvinist theologian. Barth is best known for his commentary '' The Epistle to the Romans'', his involvement in the Confessing Church, including his authorship (except for a single phrase) of the Barmen Declara ...
: A Theological Legacy'' (ET 1986).
* "On the Doctrine of Justification" in the ''International Journal of Systematic Theology'' 1:1 (1999), pp. 24–52.
* "Sermon on Matthew 25:1–12" in ''
Toronto Journal of Theology'' 18:1 (Spring 2002), pp. 13–19.
* ''Theological Essays'' I (ET 1989).
* ''Theological Essays'' II (ET 1994).
* "Theses on the Relation of the Existence, Essence and Attributes of God" in ''
Toronto Journal of Theology'' 17 (2001), pp. 55–74.
* "To tell the world about God: The task for the mission of the church on the threshold of the third millennium" in ''International Review of Mission'' (30 April 2000).
References
External links
Eberhard Jüngel Reading Room(links to on-line primary and secondary sources) Tyndale Seminary
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jungel, Eberhard
1934 births
2021 deaths
German Lutheran theologians
University of Zurich alumni
University of Basel alumni
Academic staff of the University of Tübingen
Knights Commander of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Recipients of the Pour le Mérite (civil class)
Recipients of the Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg
20th-century German Protestant theologians
German male non-fiction writers
Members of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
Systematic theologians
People from Magdeburg