Johann Joachim Spalding
Encyclopedia
Johann Joachim Spalding (November 1, 1714 – May 25, 1804) was a German Protestant theologian and philosopher of Scottish ancestry who was born in Tribsees
, Swedish Pomerania
. He was the father of Georg Ludwig Spalding
(1762–1811), who was a professor at Grauen Kloster
in Berlin
.
He studied philosophy and theology at the Universities of Rostock
and Greifswald, and afterwards worked as an auxiliary preacher in his hometown. In 1755 he became a pastor in Lassan
, and two years later served as a minister in the town of Barth.
In 1764 he gained the titles of provost
and Oberkonsistorialrat, and became known for his sermons at St. Nicholas Church and at the Church of St. Mary in Berlin
. He was a highly influential minister who had as friends, renowned personalities that included Ewald Christian von Kleist
and Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim
. As a protest against the Wöllnersche Religionsedikt (Wöllner Edict of July 9, 1788), he resigned from his official duties.
Spalding was an important figure of the German Enlightenment. In 1748 he published Betrachtungen über die Bestimmung des Menschen (Reflections on the Destination of Man), which is considered to be a manifesto
of German Enlightenment theology. In this work he rejected dogmatic authoritarianism and confessional orthodoxy, and promoted a common sense philosophy that explained an individual's path from sensuality to spirituality that ultimately led to immortality. In his writings he was strongly opposed to Julien Offroy de La Mettrie's philosophy of French materialism
.
His autobiography (Lebensbeschreibung, von ihm selbst aufgesetzt) was published by his son in 1804. Other noted works by Spalding include:
Tribsees
Tribsees is a municipality in the Vorpommern-Rügen district, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It is situated 33 km southwest of Stralsund, and 40 km east of Rostock....
, Swedish Pomerania
Swedish Pomerania
Swedish Pomerania was a Dominion under the Swedish Crown from 1630 to 1815, situated on what is now the Baltic coast of Germany and Poland. Following the Polish War and the Thirty Years' War, Sweden held extensive control over the lands on the southern Baltic coast, including Pomerania and parts...
. He was the father of Georg Ludwig Spalding
Georg Ludwig Spalding
Georg Ludwig Spalding was a German philologist born in Barth, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. He was the son of theologian Johann Joachim Spalding ....
(1762–1811), who was a professor at Grauen Kloster
Berlinisches Gymnasium zum Grauen Kloster
The Berlinisches Gymnasium zum Grauen Kloster is the oldest Gymnasium in Berlin and continues to this day as the Evangelisches Gymnasium zum Grauen Kloster. It is a private school with a humanistic profile and known as one of the most prestigious schools in Germany...
in 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...
.
He studied philosophy and theology at the Universities of Rostock
University of Rostock
The University of Rostock is the university of the city Rostock, in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.Founded in 1419, it is the oldest and largest university in continental northern Europe and the Baltic Sea area...
and Greifswald, and afterwards worked as an auxiliary preacher in his hometown. In 1755 he became a pastor in Lassan
Lassan
Lassan is a town in the Vorpommern-Greifswald district, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany. It is situated on the Peene river, a branch of the Oder, 15 km northeast of Anklam.-References:...
, and two years later served as a minister in the town of Barth.
In 1764 he gained the titles of provost
Provost (religion)
A provost is a senior official in a number of Christian churches.-Historical Development:The word praepositus was originally applied to any ecclesiastical ruler or dignitary...
and Oberkonsistorialrat, and became known for his sermons at St. Nicholas Church and at the Church of St. Mary in 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...
. He was a highly influential minister who had as friends, renowned personalities that included Ewald Christian von Kleist
Ewald Christian von Kleist
Ewald Christian von Kleist was a German poet and officer.-Life:Kleist was born at Zeblin, near Köslin in Farther Pomerania, to the von Kleist family of cavalry leaders...
and Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim
Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim
Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim was a German poet.- Life :Gleim was born at Ermsleben near Halberstadt. Having studied law at the University of Halle he became secretary to Prince William of Brandenburg-Schwedt at Berlin, where he made the acquaintance of Ewald von Kleist, whose devoted friend he...
. As a protest against the Wöllnersche Religionsedikt (Wöllner Edict of July 9, 1788), he resigned from his official duties.
Spalding was an important figure of the German Enlightenment. In 1748 he published Betrachtungen über die Bestimmung des Menschen (Reflections on the Destination of Man), which is considered to be a manifesto
Manifesto
A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature. Manifestos relating to religious belief are generally referred to as creeds. Manifestos may also be life stance-related.-Etymology:...
of German Enlightenment theology. In this work he rejected dogmatic authoritarianism and confessional orthodoxy, and promoted a common sense philosophy that explained an individual's path from sensuality to spirituality that ultimately led to immortality. In his writings he was strongly opposed to Julien Offroy de La Mettrie's philosophy of French materialism
French materialism
French materialism is the name given to a handful of French 18th century philosophers during the Age of Enlightenment, many of them clustered around the salon of Baron d'Holbach...
.
His autobiography (Lebensbeschreibung, von ihm selbst aufgesetzt) was published by his son in 1804. Other noted works by Spalding include:
- Gedanken über den Werth der Gefühle in dem Christenthum
- Über die Nutzbarkeit des Predigtamtes und deren Beförderung
- Vertraute Briefe, die Religion betreffend
- Religion, eine Angelegenheit des Menschen