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Julius Wellhausen
23quotes
Julius Wellhausen
A Pioneer in Biblical Criticism and Theology
Full Name and Common Aliases
Julius Wellhausen was a German biblical scholar, theologian, and academic known for his groundbreaking work on the history of Israelite religion. He is commonly referred to as Julius Wellhausen or Julius von Wellhausen.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on June 17, 1844, in Hameln, Kingdom of Hanover (now part of Germany), Wellhausen passed away on January 9, 1918, in Göttingen, German Empire.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Wellhausen was a German citizen by birth and a scholar by profession. He held various academic positions throughout his career, including professorships at the University of Greifswald, the University of Halle-Wittenberg, and the University of Göttingen.
Early Life and Background
Wellhausen came from a family of modest means but showed exceptional intellectual abilities from an early age. His parents encouraged his love for learning, which led him to pursue higher education at the University of Göttingen. He studied theology under prominent scholars of his time, including Albrecht Ritschl and Emil Brunner.
Major Accomplishments
Wellhausen's most notable contribution to biblical scholarship is the development of the Documentary Hypothesis (DH), a theory that posits the existence of multiple sources behind the composition of the Hebrew Bible. This idea revolutionized the field of biblical criticism by providing a framework for understanding the complex history and evolution of Israelite literature.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Wellhausen's notable works include:
_Prolegomena to the History of Israel_ (1878): A comprehensive introduction to the study of the Hebrew Bible, which laid the foundation for his later work on the Documentary Hypothesis.
_History of Israel_ (1882-1894): A three-volume magnum opus that presented Wellhausen's vision of a new approach to understanding the history and theology of ancient Israel.
* _Einleitung in die Geschichtsbücher des Alten Testaments_ (1878): A study on the historical books of the Hebrew Bible, which further solidified his reputation as a leading biblical scholar.
Impact and Legacy
Wellhausen's contributions to biblical scholarship have had a profound impact on the field. His work on the Documentary Hypothesis has been widely accepted and built upon by subsequent generations of scholars. The theory continues to shape our understanding of the Hebrew Bible, its composition, and its relationship to the history of ancient Israel.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Wellhausen is remembered as a pioneer in biblical criticism and theology due to his groundbreaking work on the Documentary Hypothesis. His theories have had far-reaching implications for the study of the Hebrew Bible, influencing fields such as biblical studies, theological education, and religious scholarship.
His legacy extends beyond academia, with his ideas shaping the way people think about the Bible and its significance in modern society. As a leading figure in biblical scholarship, Wellhausen's work continues to inspire new generations of scholars and theologians.
Quotes by Julius Wellhausen
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One other fact is significant: the domestic feasts and sacrifices of single families, which in David’s time must still have been general, gradually declined and lost their importance as social circles widened and life became more public.
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And finally, it was Deuteronomy that brought about the historical result of Josiah’s reformation.
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To my thinking, this: – that the Priestly Code rests upon the result which is only the aim of Deuteronomy.
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From the building of the temple of Solomon, which is also treated as a leading epoch in chronology, a new period in the history of worship is accordingly dated, – and to a certain extent with justice.
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All writers of the Chaldaean period associate monotheism in the closest way with unity of worship.
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It is only in the case of the Priestly Code that opinions differ widely; for it tries hard to imitate the costume of the Mosaic period, and, with whatever success, to disguise its own.
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The stone which Jacob consecrated at Bethel the generation of the living continues to anoint, paying the tithes which of old he vowed to the house of God there.
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The revision of the books of Judges, Samuel, and Kings, undertaken towards the end of the Babylonian exile, a revision much more thorough than is commonly assumed, condemns as heretical the whole age of the Kings.
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And finally, it was Deuteronomy that brought about the historical result of Josiah's reformation.
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The Priestly Code preponderates over the rest of the legislation in force, as well as in bulk; in all matters of primary importance it is the normal and final authority.
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