Joseph Wittig
Encyclopedia
Joseph Wittig was a German theologian and writer who was born in Neusorge, a village in the district of Neurode
, Silesia
.
In 1903 he received his doctorate of theology
from the University of Breslau, and was ordained a priest by Cardinal Georg von Kopp
(1837-1914). Subsequently he worked as a chaplain in Lauban, and beginning in 1904 studied Christian art
and architecture in Rome
as a member of the German Archaeological Institute. During this time he also took part on a study trip to North Africa with theologian Franz Joseph Dölger
(1879-1940). After returning to Germany he was a chaplain in Patschkau
, and later in Breslau.
In 1911 Wittig became an associate professor of church history and Christian archaeology
, and in 1915 was a full professor of patrology, church history and art at the Theological Faculty of the University of Breslau. In 1917-18 he attained the office of Dean at the University.
Wittig is remembered for his work as a religious reformer at Breslau. His theological and literary ideas often placed him at odds with Catholic Church hierarchy. In 1922 he wrote an article titled Die Erlösten (The Redeemed) that was openly critical of church dogma, and in 1925 published a book that was an historical reconstruction of the life of Jesus Christ. This latter work, Leben Jesu in Palästina, Schlesien und anderswo was placed on the Church's index of banned books. In 1926 Wittig was excommunicated
from the Church, and was forced to resign his teaching position at Breslau. It wouldn't be until 1946 that he was able to receive official reconciliation with Church hierarchy.
Following his excommunication, he returned to Neusorge as a private scholar and writer. Here he was the author of numerous popular stories as well as religious-themed works, and with philosopher Martin Buber
(1878-1965) and physiologist Viktor von Weizsäcker
(1886-1957), he was co-publisher of the magazine Die Kreatur. During this time period he was also a chronicler in the district of Neurode.
Nowa Ruda
Nowa Ruda is a town in south-western Poland near the Czech border, lying on the Włodzica river in the central Sudetes mountains. As of 2007 it has 25,240 inhabitants. The town is located in Kłodzko County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship...
, Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
.
In 1903 he received his doctorate 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...
from the University of Breslau, and was ordained a priest by Cardinal Georg von Kopp
Georg von Kopp
Georg von Kopp was a German Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Bishop of Furda and Prince-Bishop of Breslau .-Biography:...
(1837-1914). Subsequently he worked as a chaplain in Lauban, and beginning in 1904 studied Christian art
Christian art
Christian art is sacred art produced in an attempt to illustrate, supplement and portray in tangible form the principles of Christianity, though other definitions are possible. Most Christian groups use or have used art to some extent, although some have had strong objections to some forms of...
and architecture in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
as a member of the German Archaeological Institute. During this time he also took part on a study trip to North Africa with theologian Franz Joseph Dölger
Franz Joseph Dölger
Franz Joseph Dölger was a German Catholic theologian and church historian who was a native of Sulzbach am Main....
(1879-1940). After returning to Germany he was a chaplain in Patschkau
Paczków
Paczków is a town in Nysa County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 8,226 inhabitants . It is one of the few towns in Europe in which medieval fortifications have been almost completely preserved...
, and later in Breslau.
In 1911 Wittig became an associate professor of church history and Christian archaeology
Christian archaeology
Christian Archeology is the study of archaeological sites in connection to the texts of the Bible. The abundance of forgeries, fakes, and misinterpretations is rife, and as such the verification of context and the maintenance of an unbiased standpoint is essential...
, and in 1915 was a full professor of patrology, church history and art at the Theological Faculty of the University of Breslau. In 1917-18 he attained the office of Dean at the University.
Wittig is remembered for his work as a religious reformer at Breslau. His theological and literary ideas often placed him at odds with Catholic Church hierarchy. In 1922 he wrote an article titled Die Erlösten (The Redeemed) that was openly critical of church dogma, and in 1925 published a book that was an historical reconstruction of the life of Jesus Christ. This latter work, Leben Jesu in Palästina, Schlesien und anderswo was placed on the Church's index of banned books. In 1926 Wittig was excommunicated
Excommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
from the Church, and was forced to resign his teaching position at Breslau. It wouldn't be until 1946 that he was able to receive official reconciliation with Church hierarchy.
Following his excommunication, he returned to Neusorge as a private scholar and writer. Here he was the author of numerous popular stories as well as religious-themed works, and with philosopher Martin Buber
Martin Buber
Martin Buber was an Austrian-born Jewish philosopher best known for his philosophy of dialogue, a form of religious existentialism centered on the distinction between the I-Thou relationship and the I-It relationship....
(1878-1965) and physiologist Viktor von Weizsäcker
Viktor von Weizsäcker
Viktor Freiherr von Weizsäcker was a German physician and physiologist. He was the brother of Ernst von Weizsäcker, and uncle to Richard von Weizsäcker and Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker. .He studied at Tübingen, Freiburg, Berlin, and Heidelberg, where he earned his medical degree in 1910...
(1886-1957), he was co-publisher of the magazine Die Kreatur. During this time period he was also a chronicler in the district of Neurode.