Arnold Bittlinger

Arnold Bittlinger (2006)

Arnold Georg Bittlinger (born June 13, 1928 in Edenkoben ) is a German-Swiss Protestant theologian, psychologist, psychotherapist , author and speaker.

Life

Bittlinger is a son of the Alsatian youth pastor Georg Bittlinger and his wife Wilhelmine Jung. In 1937 his ten-year-old brother Karl had a fatal accident, which had a lasting impact on him. He attended elementary and high school in Edenkoben in the Palatinate and the humanistic high school in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse . In 1945 he completed a winemaking internship in his grandparents' winery in Ebernburg an der Nahe, where he led the church choir he founded because the schools were closed in the post-war chaos. From autumn 1945 he rebuilt Protestant youth work in his hometown of Edenkoben, which had come to a standstill during the Third Reich . After graduating from high school, he studied Protestant theology and psychology in Germany, France, England, Switzerland and the USA; he also dealt with art history and viticulture .

In 1952, Bittlinger was ordained in his home town of Edenkoben and appointed as vicar in Kaiserslautern and then as parish administrator in Speyer . He describes himself as a student and friend of the theologian and cultural scientist Carl Schneider, who was then active in Speyer . In addition, he became head of the student mission in Germany, which he built on the model of the English Interschool Christian Fellowship . After his second theological exam, he became a pastor in Ludwigshafen am Rhein in 1956, with an independent parish of around 7,000 parishioners. There he founded a lively youth work and numerous house groups. In 1959 Bittlinger was appointed head of the People's Missionary Office of the Palatinate Regional Church. In this capacity he traveled through the United States in 1962 to study missionary church building. He came across the beginnings of charismatic renewal in Lutheran, Episcopal and Reformed congregations. He reported about it in his book " How it began ". He was also interested in American viticulture and earned the wine diploma from the San Francisco Wine Institute . After his return from the USA, he dealt with charismatic church building and published numerous papers on this topic. In 1963 he led a large conference in Enkenbach near Kaiserslautern on the topic: " The work of the Holy Spirit today ". From 1965 to 1969, Wilhard Becker , Reiner Edel , Klaus Hess, Walter Hümmer , Arthur Richter , the Catholic priest Peter Paul Urbanczik and he organized further conferences in Königstein im Taunus . In 1966 he started an ecumenical academy in Craheim Castle in Lower Franconia . In 1968, together with a Franciscan priest and a free church pastor, he founded the “ Life Center for Christian Unity ” in Craheim Castle. From 1967 to 1973 he was an employee of the theological Marburg Circle , at the end of which he was voted out of office due to differences due to his new charismatic orientation and left.

At the Ecumenical Institute of the University of Geneva , Bittlinger was assistant to the Greek Orthodox Professor Nikos Nissiotis from 1969 to 1970 . 1971–1972 he was a " Fellow " of the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research in Collegeville , Minnesota and a member of the faculty (" Faculty member ") of St. John's University . He was also engaged in Native American culture and was inducted into the tribe of the Ojibwe Indians of the Algonquin nation. In 1978 his ecumenical academy was affiliated with the Swiss Diaconal Association and in 1980 recognized by the World Council of Churches (OeRK) as a study center of the OeRK. In 1976 he founded a " healing home " in Munich with a doctor and a nurse . In 1977 he was appointed by the World Council of Churches to work in the “ Renewal and Congregational Life” department in Geneva. In this function he undertook numerous research trips to all continents and in 1980 organized a worldwide consultation on the subject of " Towards a Church Renewed and United in the Holy Spirit ". At the same time he was pastor of the Oberhallau wine-growing community in the canton of Schaffhausen . In 1991 he received Swiss citizenship. From 1984 to 1993 he worked as a pastor and psychotherapist at the Schaffhausen Psychiatry Center and as a lecturer at the School for Psychiatric Nursing. From 1994 he worked as a psychotherapist with his own practice and as a lecturer at the CG Jung Institute in Zurich . He has also given lectures, seminars, courses and lectures at the International Society for Depth Psychology , at various universities and colleges, in academies and educational centers, on radio and television. He worked in advanced training for doctors and teachers and as head of the Swiss editorial team for the journal “ Analytical Psychology ”. This resulted in numerous publications that were translated into several languages ​​and distributed.

Private

Bittlinger was married to the theologian and graduate analytical psychologist Ilse Bittlinger-Baumann († 2008), one son is the Protestant pastor and songwriter Clemens Bittlinger . Arnold Bittlinger has been married to Bettina Elisabeth Egli since 2013.

Works

• The importance of graces for the church of Jesus Christ. Ecumenical Publishing House Dr. RF Edel, Marburg 1964.
• Early Christian worship and its revival within the contemporary Reformation churches. Edel, Marburg 1964. 2nd edition 1966.
• A reflection on 1st Corinthians 13th self-published by Rufer-Zentrale in 1965.
• Evangelical confession - a way to freedom. God's call, issue 12/13. Edel, Marburg 1965 and 1972.
• The Order of Services in the New Testament. Bible studies by Arnold Bittlinger. Edel, Marburg 1966.
• Church is different. Calwer Verlag, Calw 1966.
• The focolarini. Publishing house Die Rufer 1967.
• Charisma and office. Calwer Verlag, Calw 1967.
• Service today. Calwer Verlag, Calw 1968.
• In the power field of the Holy Spirit. Edel, Marburg 3rd edition 1968.
• Carl Schneider: Practical Bible Studies. Reissued and reviewed by Arnold Bittlinger. Verlag Die Rufer Kühne, 1968.
• Glossolalia. Kühne, 3rd edition 1969.
• The Lord's Supper in the New Testament and in the Early Church. Kühne 1969.
• Advice to a church. Paul's letter to the Philippians. Rolf Kühne, Craheim Castle 1970.
• Community life. Presence publishing house of the Jesus Brotherhood, Gnadenthal 1971 and 1981. ISBN 978-3-876-30440-3 .
• Biblical pastoral care. Tape transcriptions of Bible studies, Arthur Richter on his 65th birthday. Ecumenical Writing Service, Wetzhausen 1973, Hofheim 1985 and Ecumenical Writing Service Schloss Craheim 1988.
• ... and they pray in other languages. Charismatic renewal and glossolalia. Charisma and Church, No. 2. Hochheim 1979.
• With Heribert Mühlen , Erhard Griese and Manfred Kiessig: Practice in basic Christian experience II. Prayer and expectation. M. Grünewald, Mainz 1990. ISBN 978-3-786-70560-4 .
• Homesickness for eternity. Depth psychological meditations on the Christian faith. Kösel, 1993. ISBN 978-3-466-36381-0 .
• With Margrit Beck-Indermaur: Practice in the whole: A depth psychological interpretation of Christian festivals. Metanoia, Dietikon 1992. ISBN 978-3-907-03800-0 .
• When stones speak: The church year in the mirror of the Oberhallau gravestone symbols. Metanoia, Dietikon 1993. ISBN 978-3-907-03823-9 .
• On the way to wholeness. An interpretation of the Grimm fairy tale "The girl without hands". Metanoia, Dietikon 1994. ISBN 978-3-907-03828-4 .
• Once upon a time ... Grimm fairy tales in the light of depth psychology and the Bible. Droemer Knaur, 1994. ISBN 978-3-426-86040-3 (other edition: Metanoia, Dietikon 1999)
• Getting ripe: an interpretation of Grimm's fairy tale "The Meerkat". Metanoia, Dietikon 1994. ISBN 978-3-907-03829-1 .
• The way of Jesus, archetype of our way. Depth Psychology and Chakra Meditation. Droemer Knaur, 1995. ISBN 978-3-426-86090-8 .
• Religion and Cult Acts: In the Light of Analytical Psychology. Metanoia, Dietikon 1995. ISBN 978-3-907-03837-6 .
• Christian Faith and Astrology: An Interview. Metanoia, Dietikon 1996. ISBN 978-3-907-03845-1 .
• Frau Holle: A depth psychological interpretation. Metanoia, Dietikon 1996. ISBN 978-3907038444 .
• The mystery of the Christian festivals. Kösel Verlag, Munich 1996. ISBN 978-3-466-36425-1 .
• The world ages. Metanoia, Dietikon 1997. ISBN 978-3-907-03852-9 .
• The Rumpelstiltskin: a fairy tale interpretation. Metanoia, Dietikon 1997. ISBN 978-3-907-03853-6 .
• The Lord's Prayer. Kösel, Munich 1997. ISBN 978-3-466-36074-1 .
• Chakra meditation. Kösel, Munich 1999. ISBN 978-3-466-36512-8 .
• Self-awareness and God experience: depth psychological interpretation of the parable of the father and the two sons. Metanoia, Dietikon 2000. ISBN 978-390-7038772 .
• How shamans heal: Shamanistic healings in the light of the Bible and psychotherapy. Metanoia, Dietikon 3rd edition 2000. ISBN 978-3-907-03878-9 .
• Wine and viticulture in the Bible and in their environment. Metanoia, Dietikon 2000. ISBN 978-3-907-03873-4 .
• Job's experience of God. Metanoia, Dietikon 8th edition 2002. ISBN 978-3-907-03883-3 .
• The work of the Holy Spirit in the Bible and today. Metanoia, Dietikon 2003. ISBN 978-3-907-03888-8 .
• Is the Bible True? Metanoia, Dietikon 5th edition 2003. ISBN 978-3-907-03886-4 .
• Jesus of Nazareth: His way and his message in the light of depth psychology. Metanoia, Dietikon 2nd edition 2003. ISBN 978-3907038857 .
• Longing for the angels. Kösel, Munich 2003. ISBN 978-3-466-36628-6 .
• How it started Metanoia, Dietikon 2003. ISBN 978-3-907-03887-1 .
• The vine year: symbol of human life. Metanoia, Dietikon 2nd edition 2005. ISBN 978-3-907-03896-3 .
• Spirituality on the move: symbolic interpretation of an ecumenical chapel. Metanoia, Dietikon 2006. ISBN 978-3907038932 .
• Dying, death and mourning in fairy tales. Metanoia, Dietikon 2006. ISBN 978-3-907-03813-0 .
• We experience Christmas within us: Depth psychological interpretation of the Christmas tablets on the Isenheim Altarpiece. Metanoia, Dietikon 2008. ISBN 978-3-907-03858-1 .
• The gems of the heavenly Jerusalem: in the light of the zodiac and depth psychology. Metanoia, Dietikon 2009. ISBN 978-3-905-82704-0 .
• Often against the current: memories, part 1: childhood and adolescence. Metanoia, Dietikon 2009. ISBN 978-3-905-82706-4 .
• Often against the current: memories, part 2: studies and first years of work. Metanoia, Dietikon 2010. ISBN 978-3-905-82707-1 .
• The way of Jonah: in the light of depth psychology. Metanoia, Dietikon 2010. ISBN 978-3-905-82712-5 .
• Meet Lukas: Lukas as a historian and painter, as a doctor and psychotherapist. Metanoia, Dietikon 2011. ISBN 978-3-905-82713-2 .
• Often against the current: memories, part 3: my way into the distance. Metanoia, Dietikon 2011. ISBN 978-3-905-82708-8 .
• Often against the current: memories, part 4: my inner journey. Metanoia, Dietikon 2013. ISBN 978-3-905-82709-5 .
• Living from joy: the apostle Paul writes to the Christians in Philippi. Metanoia, Dietikon 2014. ISBN 978-3-905-82716-3 .
• It is finished. - Depth psychological approaches to the seven words of Jesus on the cross. Metanoia, Dietikon 2015. ISBN 978-3-905827-18-7 .
• Holy Week in the light of the planets: depth psychological approaches. Metanoia, Dietikon 2015. ISBN 978-3-905827-00-2 .
• The four faces of Advent in the light of depth psychology and the Bible. Metanoia, Dietikon 2015. ISBN 978-3-905827-19-4 .
• The Lord's Prayer is experienced in the light of depth psychology and chakra meditation. Metanoia, Dietikon 2017 (new edition). ISBN 978-3-905827-20-0 .

Audio

• Holy Week in the light of the planets. Metanoia, Dietikon 2008. ISBN 978-3-905-82701-9 .
• Mary of Magdala. A woman finds her way. Metanoia, Dietikon 2009. ISBN 978-3-905-82703-3 .
• God who are you Metanoia, Dietikon 2013. ISBN 978-3-905-82714-9 .

Movie

• When deep silence enveloped the universe. An Advent and Christmas meditation. Production SWR 1995, Metanoia, Dietikon 2008. ISBN 978-3-907038-27-7 .

criticism

Bittlinger can be seen as an unconventional pioneer, trailblazer and initiator who had a keen sense for spiritual developments and innovations. However, not all persons and groups are ready and open to change for theological, psychological and social reasons. That is why it has generated quite a bit of criticism. His greatest theological critics are rather conservative Christians who reject his enthusiasm for charismatics or his syncretic tendencies and often refer to Alexander Seibel and the criticism he has expressed.

Web links

• Arnold Bittlinger's website

Individual evidence

1. ↑ See the foreword to Bittlinger's new edition by Carl Schneider : Practical Biblical Studies . Verlag Die Rufer Kühne, 1968.
2. ↑ Erich Hess: Forming the charismatic movement in our church . Prehistory Working Group Spiritual Community Renewal agg
3. ↑ Richard Ziegert: Between Church and Charismatism ( Memento of the original from November 9, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Pfälzisches Pfarrerblatt, accessed on June 22, 2017. 
4. ↑ Gerhard Bially, Carola Kieker, Klaus-Dieter Passon (ed.): I want to bless you ... Insights into the charismatic awakening of the last decades
5. ^ Bittlinger's curriculum vitae on his website
6. ^ Doris Brodbeck: Ecumenist Arnold Bittlinger celebrates his 80th birthday . www.oeme.ch. July 11, 2008.
7. ^ Doris Brodbeck: Charisma and Oekumene - memories of Arnold Bittlinger . www.ref-sh.ch, January 2012.
8. ^ Beginning of the charismatic movement website by Alexander Seibel, accessed on June 22, 2017.