Eugen Biser Foundation

The Eugen Biser Foundation is a non-profit foundation under civil law that is committed to dialogue based on Christian origins . It was founded in 2002 and is named after its spiritus rector , the theologian , religious philosopher and contemporary diagnostician Eugen Biser .

goals and tasks

In the statutes of the Eugen Biser Foundation it is stated in paragraph 2 (Foundation purpose):

“The foundation directs its gaze from the Christian understanding of the world and values ​​to all areas of human existence with the aim of dialogue and understanding with other religions , world views and cultures in an effort to achieve freedom , tolerance and peace . This foundation purpose is served by scientific, interdisciplinary analysis and reflection, events and publications. The Christian understanding of the world and values ​​on which the dialogue is based is shaped by the theological and philosophical work of Eugen Biser. His work is dedicated to a future-oriented reinterpretation of Christianity and the resulting consequences for a Christian understanding of God, people and the world. It should be made fruitful as a whole as well as in its constitutive elements and its objectives for theology and for the practical implementation of Christianity in church , state and society . "

With this in mind, the Eugen Biser Foundation is working on intensifying interreligious and intercultural dialogue of Christian origin with the other monotheistic religions ( Christian-Jewish dialogue , Christian-Islamic dialogue ) as well as with world views and cultures. It would like to promote the creation of a common basis for a tolerant, peaceful coexistence of religions and nationalities at national and supranational level. The focus is on conveying the basic values ​​of Christianity and Christian impulses for the social, political, legal and cultural shaping of coexistence and for the future of Europe, as well as promoting inner-Christian balance and ecumenism . The pursuit of these goals requires the analysis of intellectual and religious developments in all contexts of human realities in different forms of government - from the individual to the family to society.

Activities to implement the foundation's purpose

Lecture events

The Eugen Biser Foundation is the organizer of public lectures and discussions etc. a. in the Literaturhaus Munich. In terms of content, these evenings are supported by Eugen Biser and his colleagues from the Board of Trustees , the Board of Trustees and invited guests. They are thematically of a theological or philosophical nature. At the events, the foundation is guided by the intention of allowing an interested ecumenical and interreligious public to participate in its intellectual work through the institution of the lecture evenings.

Intercultural and interreligious symposia

On the path of scientific exchange, one of the tasks of the Eugen Biser Foundation is to contribute, for example, to improving understanding between Christians and Muslims. It is therefore important to develop relevant basic religious positions philosophically and theologically, which can become a stable foundation for peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims. The selection of the problem areas for the symposia corresponds to this goal. First and foremost, there is an understanding of the concept of mankind , which is fundamental to the question of human rights , religious freedom and democracy and which inevitably leads to a discourse on the understanding of God. In this context, the " Intercultural and Interreligious Symposia " series of events was established together with the Islamic Theological Faculty of Ankara University .

Expert meetings

Based on the experiences of the State of Lower Saxony and the Republic of Austria , the Eugen Biser Foundation understands the essential aspects of future Islamic religious education in Germany as being directly linked to the field of integration . To this end, it promotes the exchange of views on issues relating to Islamic religious instruction in contact with government and church bodies. At the same time, it supports the training of imams, preferably at expert meetings.

Christian-Islamic glossary of terms

The Eugen Biser Foundation has been working for seven years on a Christian-Islamic glossary of terms that will be published in 2012 under the title "Lexicon of Dialogue. Basic Christian-Islamic Concepts". A special feature of the lexicon is the collaboration between Turkish Islamic scholars from Ankara University and Christian theologians and philosophers. The main focus of the lexicon is on the explanation of terms for the German-Turkish interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

Eugen Biser Bibliography

In order to preserve, index, continue and disseminate the theological and philosophical work of Eugen Biser, the Eugen Biser Foundation has set up an Eugen Biser library, an Eugen Biser archive and a comprehensive Eugen Biser bibliography Task done. Monika Schmid from the Eugen Biser Foundation started the project in 2004/05 under the direction of Richard Heinzmann and Gunther Wenz and put it online for Eugen Biser's 95th birthday.

Eugen Biser Prize

The Eugen Biser Foundation awards the Eugen Biser Prize endowed with 5,000 euros in accordance with the statutes for:

• outstanding scientific theological or philosophical publications
• public commitment to Christian values
• dialogue and encounter with other religions, world views and cultures in the effort to achieve freedom, tolerance and peace.

The Eugen Biser Prize was previously awarded to:

• 2003: Ferdinand Hahn for his two-volume work “Theology of the New Testament”.
• 2005: Karl Cardinal Lehmann for his scientific, philosophical and theological work as well as for his efforts to give the Christian church a profile that does justice to the origin of Christianity.
• 2008: On November 22, 2008, the award was presented in Munich to the following personalities: HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad bin Talal from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Sheikh Habib Ali Zain al-Abideen al-Jifri from the United Arab Emirates and Mustafa Cerić , Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina . The award of the prize to the three Islamic clergy took place in view of the significant contribution of the prize winners to the memorable Open Letter A Common Word between Us and You of October 13, 2007 to the Christian churches and in recognition of their extraordinary contribution to the Muslim-Christian dialogue and their consistent and beneficial endeavors for peace.
• 2012: President of the Bundestag Norbert Lammert for his efforts to reach an understanding between the state and religions as well as his political and social work on the basis of Christian values ​​and human image.
• 2016: Charlotte Knobloch for her work for Judeo-Christian understanding

Habilitation projects

Only in scientific discourse can the original understanding of Christianity, as Eugen Biser expressed it, have an impact on the future. Since Eugen Biser at the philosophical Romano Guardini chair was unable to work in the field of theology by supervising doctorates or habilitation theses , the primary impetus for the Eugen Biser Foundation was the promotion of scientific work on the theological new approach of Eugen Biser.

Organs of the foundation

The foundation bodies are the board of directors, the foundation council and the board of trustees .

All members of the foundation bodies carry out their work on a voluntary basis.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees is Günther Beckstein ( former Prime Minister of Bavaria), and Deputy Chairman Thomas von Mitschke-Collande .

financing

The work of the foundation is mainly financed from donations. Since it is a non-profit organization, the foundation can accept donations in tax-privileged form.

Friends of the Eugen Biser Foundation V.

The circle of friends of the Eugen Biser Foundation eV currently has around 250 members. He supports the Eugen Biser Foundation both ideally and financially in the implementation of its projects and goals. Florian Obermayer is the chairman of the Freundeskreis .

Publications (selection)

Literature on Eugen Biser and the future of Christianity

• Existential fear and courage to be. Eugen Biser Lectures Volume 1. Edited by Gunter Wenz. 1st edition, Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2014, 191 pages paperback, ISBN 978-3-525-56017-4 .
• Eugen Biser , Reinhold Baumstark : Look and Believe. Discussions about masterpieces from the Alte Pinakothek. Freiburg im Breisgau: Herder, 2012, ISBN 978-3-451-30662-4 .
• Richard Heinzmann , Martin Thurner (ed.): The middle of Christianity. Introduction to Eugen Biser's theology. Scientific Book Society, Darmstadt 2011, ISBN 978-3-53-423525-4 .
• Dialogue of Christian origin. Five years of the Eugen Biser Foundation. Glaukos, Limburg 2008, ISBN 978-3-930428-31-1 . (Introduction to the thinking and work of Eugen Biser and an overview of the work of his foundation)
• Human and spirituality. Eugen Biser and Richard Heinzmann in conversation. WBG, Darmstadt 2008, ISBN 978-3-534-20862-3 .
• Theology of the future. Eugen Biser in conversation with Richard Heinzmann . WBG, Darmstadt, 2005. 2nd edition 2008, ISBN 978-3-534-18387-6 .

Literature on the dialogue between Christianity and Islam

• Lexicon of Dialogue. Basic concepts from Christianity and Islam. Edited by Richard Heinzmann et al. Verlag Herder, Freiburg im Breisgau 2013, ISBN 978-3-451-30684-6 .
• Religious education in dialogue between Christians and Muslims. Edited by Peter Graf and Bülent Ucar . Series Interreligious Dialogue in Social Responsibility, Volume 1, ed. v. Heiner Koester . W. Kohlhammer Verlag, Stuttgart 2011, ISBN 978-3-17-022033-1 .
• Authority and individual. Basics in Christianity and Islam. Intercultural and interreligious symposia of the Eugen Biser Foundation, Volume 4. Edited by Richard Heinzmann and Mualla Selçuk . W Kohlhammer Verlag, Stuttgart 2013. ISBN 978-3-17-021313-5 . (German Turkish)
• Revelation Christianity and Islam. Intercultural and interreligious symposia of the Eugen Biser Foundation, Volume 5. Edited by Richard Heinzmann and Mualla Selçuk . W. Kohlhammer Verlag. Stuttgart 2011. ISBN 978-3-17-021720-1 . (German Turkish)
• Monotheism in Christianity and Islam. Intercultural and interreligious symposia of the Eugen Biser Foundation, Volume 4. Edited by Richard Heinzmann and Mualla Selçuk . W. Kohlhammer Verlag, Stuttgart 2011. ISBN 978-3-17-021314-2 . (German Turkish)
• The relationship between religion and state. Basics in Christianity and Islam. Intercultural and interreligious symposia of the Eugen Biser Foundation, Volume 2. Edited by Richard Heinzmann and Mualla Selçuk . W. Kohlhammer Verlag, Stuttgart 2009. ISBN 978-3-17-020964-0 . (German Turkish)
• Human dignity. Basics in Christianity and Islam. Intercultural and interreligious symposia of the Eugen Biser Foundation, Volume 1. Edited by Richard Heinzmann , Mualla Selçuk , Felix Körner . W. Kohlhammer Verlag, Stuttgart 2007. ISBN 978-3-17-020169-9 . (German Turkish)

Sound and image documents

• Video edition of the Christian image of man. In 13 episodes, Eugen Biser explains questions about the Christian image of man in a conversation with Richard Heinzmann. The edition includes a VHS video cassette (approx. 195 min.)
• Video edition New Spirituality. In 13 episodes, Eugen Biser explains questions about the New Spirituality in an interview with Richard Heinzmann. The edition includes a VHS video cassette (approx. 190 min.)
• Video edition theology of the future. Eugen Biser explains his theology in 29 episodes in a conversation with Richard Heinzmann. 3 VHS cassettes with all 29 episodes (total approx. 450 min.) As well as a booklet with additional texts by Eugen Biser and Richard Heinzmann, among others.
• DVD Look and Believe . Video edition for the series “ Look and Believe” - Eugen Biser in conversation with Reinhold Baumstark in front of selected paintings from the Alte Pinakothek in Munich . The edition includes two DVDs and a booklet with texts by Eugen Biser and on the work of the Eugen Biser Foundation.
• CD edition Chances of being a Christian. Eugen Biser, Chances of Being a Christian - Perspectives of a New Theology. 4 lectures on 5 CDs (3 single and one double CD) and a 14-page booklet with an afterword by Richard Niedermeier in a slipcase. Glaukos, Limburg 2005, ISBN 3-930428-26-1 (Eugen Biser refers in his five-CD edition of lectures “Only peace saves the world” (playing time: 90:37 min), “Is man what he be shall? "(playing time: 64:28 min)," On the Mystery of Christianity "(playing time: 59:36 min)," Christianity and Europe "(playing time: 55:43 min) insist on the chances of being a Christian.)

Television recordings

• Live broadcast of the awarding of the Eugen Biser Prize 2008 to Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad bin Talal , Shaykh Habib Ali Zain al-Abideen al-Jifri and to Reisu-l-Ulema Mustafa Cerić, Bayerisches Fernsehen on November 22, 2008
• Jews and Christians - unequal siblings. Martin Balle in conversation with Michael Wolffsohn , Rabbi Tovia Ben-Chorin , Richard Heinzmann and Gunther Wenz , 2 parts, BR-alpha on July 8th and July 10th, 2008
• Live broadcast of the celebratory event on the occasion of Eugen Biser's 90th birthday. Bavarian television January 12, 2008
• Unity as Commandment - Ecumenical Education Pathways. Martin Balle in conversation with Eugen Biser and Gunther Wenz, 2 parts, BR-alpha February 14 and 15, 2007
• Homo Academicus. The opportunities of the knowledge society. Martin Balle in conversation with Eugen Biser and Alois Glück , BR-alpha on January 10, 2007
• Faith and Politics - Visions for a Humane Future. Martin Balle in conversation with Eugen Biser and Theodor Waigel , 2 parts, BR-alpha on October 18 and November 15, 2006
• Europe in the mirror of history. Opportunities and Perspectives. Martin Balle in conversation with Eugen Biser and former Federal Chancellor. D. Helmut Kohl , 2 parts, BR-alpha May and June 2006
• God and the Universe. On the relationship between science and religion. Hubert Schöne in conversation with Eugen Biser, Gerhard Börner , Wolfhart Pannenberg and Antje Tesche-Mentzen read, BR-alpha on March 15, 2006
• Between identity and integration. The global community in transition. Andreas Bönte in conversation with Eugen Biser and Werner Weidenfeld , BR-alpha 2006
• Live broadcast of the award of the Eugen Biser Prize to Karl Cardinal Lehmann . Bavarian television December 12, 2005
• Look and believe . Reinhold Baumstark and Eugen Biser in conversation in front of selected paintings from the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. 15 parts, BR-alpha 2005
• The Christian image of man. Eugen Biser in conversation with Richard Heinzmann. 13-part series of talks in the education channel of the Bavarian broadcasting company BR-alpha 2005
• New spirituality. Eugen Biser in conversation with Richard Heinzmann. 13-part conversation series in the education channel of the Bavarian broadcasting company BR-alpha 2004
• Lecture series Peace as a topic in religions. Part III: Christianity in the Literaturhaus Munich. Lectures by Eugen Biser and Gunther Wenz: Peace as a topic in Christianity. Panel discussion with Eugen Biser and Gunther Wenz, moderation: Richard Heinzmann. First broadcast on BR-alpha on November 8, 2003
• Lecture series Peace as a topic in religions. Part II: Islam in the Literaturhaus Munich. Lecture by Jamal Malik : "Peace as a topic in Islam". Panel discussion with Eugen Biser, Jamal Malik and the writer Zafer Şenocak , moderation: Richard Heinzmann, first broadcast on BR-alpha on October 25, 2003
• Lecture series Peace as a topic in religions. Part I: Judaism in the Munich House of Literature, with Rabbi Walter Homolka : Peace as a key concept in Jewish theology. Panel discussion with Eugen Biser, Walter Homolka and Michael Wolffsohn, moderation: Richard Heinzmann, first broadcast on BR-alpha on October 18, 2003
• Eugen Biser. Walter Flemmer in conversation with Eugen Biser, BR-alpha on April 28, 2003
• Theology of the future. Eugen Biser in conversation with Richard Heinzmann. 29-part series of talks on the education channel of Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation BR-alpha 2003

Web links

• Website of the Eugen Biser Foundation

Individual evidence

1. ^ Eugen Biser Foundation: Eugen Biser Bibliography
2. ^ The Official Website of A Common Word
3. ↑ Eugen Biser Prize - Eugen Biser Foundation. In: www.eugen-biser-stiftung.de. Retrieved September 13, 2016 . 
4. ↑ Eugen Biser Prize for Charlotte Knobloch. domradio.de, September 13, 2016, accessed on September 13, 2016 . 
5. ↑ Homepage ( Memento of the original from March 13, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
6. ↑ Eugen Biser Foundation e. V. / CIRCLE OF FRIENDS. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on September 23, 2015 ; accessed on September 22, 2015 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.