Johann Georg Walch
Encyclopedia
Johann Georg Walch was a German
Lutheran theologian
.
He was born at Meiningen
, where his father, Georg Walch, was general superintendent. He studied at Leipzig
and Jena, amongst his teachers being JF Buddeus
, whose only daughter he married. He published in 1716 a work, Historia critica Latin
ae linguae, which soon came into wide use. Two years later he became professor extraordinarius of philosophy
at Jena. In 1719 ha was appointed professor ordinarius of rhetoric
, in 1721 of poetry
, and in 1724 professor extraordinarius of theology
. In 1728 he became professor ordinarius of theology, and in 1750 professor primarius.
His theological position was that of moderate orthodoxy
, greatly influenced by the philosophy and controversies of the Deistic
period. His university lectures and published works ranged over the wide fields of church history in its various branches, particularly the literature and the controversies of the church, dogmatics, ethics and pastoral theology.
Of his works the most valuable were Bibliotheca theologica (1757–1765); Bibliotheca patristica (1770); his edition of Luther
's works in 24 vols. (1740–1752); Historische und theologische Einleitung in die religiösen Streitigkeiten, welche sonderlich ausser der ev.-lutherischen Kirche entstanden (5 vols., 1733 ff.); the companion work to this, Einleitung in die Religionsstreitigkeiten der evangel.-luth. Kirche (1730–1739), and Philosophisches Lexikon (1726, 4th ed. 1775).
Also important is the Historia logicae, published at Leipzig in 1721.
His life, with a complete list of his writings, which amounted to 287, Leben und Charakter des Kirchenraths J. G. Walch, was published anonymously by his son CWF Walch (Jena, 1777). Cf. Wilhelm Gass
, Protestantische Dogmatik, iii. p. 205 sq.
His sons, Johann Ernst Immanuel
and Christian Wilhelm Franz Walch
were also a noted theologian.
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...
Lutheran 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...
.
He was born at Meiningen
Meiningen
Meiningen is a town in Germany - located in the southern part of the state of Thuringia and is the district seat of Schmalkalden-Meiningen. It is situated on the river Werra....
, where his father, Georg Walch, was general superintendent. He studied at Leipzig
University of Leipzig
The University of Leipzig , located in Leipzig in the Free State of Saxony, Germany, is one of the oldest universities in the world and the second-oldest university in Germany...
and Jena, amongst his teachers being JF Buddeus
Johann Franz Buddeus
Johann Franz Buddeus or Budde , German Lutheran theologian and philosopher; born at Anklam, Swedish Pomerania, where his father was pastor, 25 June 1667; died at Gotha 19 November 1729.-Life:...
, whose only daughter he married. He published in 1716 a work, Historia critica Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
ae linguae, which soon came into wide use. Two years later he became professor extraordinarius of philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at Jena. In 1719 ha was appointed professor ordinarius of rhetoric
Rhetoric
Rhetoric is the art of discourse, an art that aims to improve the facility of speakers or writers who attempt to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations. As a subject of formal study and a productive civic practice, rhetoric has played a central role in the Western...
, in 1721 of poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
, and in 1724 professor extraordinarius 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...
. In 1728 he became professor ordinarius of theology, and in 1750 professor primarius.
His theological position was that of moderate orthodoxy
Lutheran Orthodoxy
Lutheran orthodoxy was an era in the history of Lutheranism, which began in 1580 from the writing of the Book of Concord and ended at the Age of Enlightenment. Lutheran orthodoxy was paralleled by similar eras in Calvinism and tridentine Roman Catholicism after the...
, greatly influenced by the philosophy and controversies of the Deistic
Deism
Deism in religious philosophy is the belief that reason and observation of the natural world, without the need for organized religion, can determine that the universe is the product of an all-powerful creator. According to deists, the creator does not intervene in human affairs or suspend the...
period. His university lectures and published works ranged over the wide fields of church history in its various branches, particularly the literature and the controversies of the church, dogmatics, ethics and pastoral theology.
Of his works the most valuable were Bibliotheca theologica (1757–1765); Bibliotheca patristica (1770); his edition of 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...
's works in 24 vols. (1740–1752); Historische und theologische Einleitung in die religiösen Streitigkeiten, welche sonderlich ausser der ev.-lutherischen Kirche entstanden (5 vols., 1733 ff.); the companion work to this, Einleitung in die Religionsstreitigkeiten der evangel.-luth. Kirche (1730–1739), and Philosophisches Lexikon (1726, 4th ed. 1775).
Also important is the Historia logicae, published at Leipzig in 1721.
His life, with a complete list of his writings, which amounted to 287, Leben und Charakter des Kirchenraths J. G. Walch, was published anonymously by his son CWF Walch (Jena, 1777). Cf. Wilhelm Gass
Wilhelm Gass
Wilhelm Gass was a German theologian born in Breslau. He was the son of theologian Joachim Christian Gass ....
, Protestantische Dogmatik, iii. p. 205 sq.
His sons, Johann Ernst Immanuel
Johann Ernst Immanuel Walch
Johann Ernst Immanuel Walch was a German theologian, linguist, and naturalist from Jena.The son of the theologian Johann Georg Walch, he studied Semitic languages at the University of Jena, and also natural science and mathematics. In 1749 he published Einleitung in die Harmonie der Evangelien,...
and Christian Wilhelm Franz Walch
Christian Wilhelm Franz Walch
Christian Wilhelm Franz Walch was a protestant German theologian and professor of theology from Göttingen. He authored numerous books.- Life :...
were also a noted theologian.