Fritz Grünzweig

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fritz Grünzweig in 1977

Fritz Grünzweig (born November 5, 1914 in Bissingen an der Teck , † November 24, 1989 in Korntal ) was a German Protestant pastor of the Württemberg regional church , from 1952 to 1979 spiritual director of the Korntal Evangelical Brethren, pastor and author of many books and Bible commentaries.

Live and act

Friedrich Grünzweig grew up with his older brother in Bissingen. The parents Karl and Anna Grünzweig ran a small farm there. With them he attended the events of the old Pietist community , later those of the local YMCA group and was involved in youth work. He was spiritually shaped by the district youth pastor Otto Mörike , pastor Julius von Jan and the salvation-historical thinking of Johann Albrecht Bengel and his students. After attending primary school in Bissing, he moved to the grammar school in Kirchheim unter Teck in 1927 , which he left in 1932 when he graduated from secondary school.

Training as a notary

From 1932 to 1938 he completed an apprenticeship for the high-class notary service in Württemberg , and between 1935 and 1937 he worked as an assistant at the local court and district notary in Stuttgart. In 1934 he turned to the Basel Mission because he wanted to become a missionary, but this failed due to financial reasons because of the difficult foreign currency procurement during the Third Reich . The exam took place in 1938 and after 3 months of military service he accepted a position as a notary's assistant.

As a soldier in World War II

At the end of August 1939 he was drafted into the Second World War as a soldier because the war broke out and fought as a sergeant in the artillery first on the western and then eastern front, where he was seriously wounded in fighting on the Volkhov Front near Leningrad in July 1943 in a hospital in Apolda , Thuringia and a year later to Plochingen am Neckar. From autumn 1944 he returned to the convalescent company in East Prussia and in February 1945 was transferred to the department of the Ulm military district command, where he met his future wife. During a war mission near Leningrad he learned about mass murders of Jews via English radio stations, in 1943 also directly from a released prisoner. He successfully campaigned for the release of the notarial trainee Alfred Leikam , who was imprisoned in Buchenwald concentration camp for over five years for religious reasons after a period of protective custody from 1938 . He consulted with Otto Mörike , Adolf Scheffbuch, Heinrich Albertz , Kurt Scharf and others from the Confessing Church who already had experience of the release of Pastor Martin Niemöller . During this time Grünzweig made more than ten petitions to the Secret State Police in Berlin, which was responsible for the concentration camps , made four presentations there, kept letter contact with Leikam and supported him financially and with the food he had sent. He managed to visit him once in Buchenwald, which was a big exception.

Training and activity as a pastor

Grünzweig was able to return home after the end of the war in June 1945. Since there was a shortage of pastors, the Württemberg regional church offered employees with professional experience a two-year short training course to become pastors. Grünzweig was also contacted, took advantage of this second educational pathway and began training in Protestant theology at the parish seminary in Stuttgart in 1946 , which he completed in 1948 with the first theological examination. After the ordination , he started his vicariate in the Evangelical Brethren Congregation Korntal , a pietistic , legally independent congregation in cooperation with the Württemberg regional church. In a part-time position he was also a youth pastor in the Leonberg church district . After the second theological examination in 1951, he worked as a second pastor alongside church councilor Walther Geißer until he became head of the pastoral college of the Württemberg regional church in 1952. Grünzweig promoted the expansion of the diaconal institutions of the Brethren and was known for his intensive pastoral visits. This congregation became his life's work, because at their request he stayed there until his retirement in 1979, when he was replaced by Martin Holland in the office of clergyman.

For his struggle for the community's understanding of the Bible and the legacy of the fathers of Swabian Pietism , but also because of his role as spiritual leader of the various forces of this movement, the Theological Faculty of Tübingen awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1982.

Grünzweig took on preaching services throughout Germany and also maintained contacts in the former GDR . He worked as a speaker at the Missionsbund Licht im Osten , at the Free University for Mission as a lecturer for exegesis, ethics, pastoral care and from 1979 as a guest lecturer for exegesis, homiletics, New Testament at the Liebenzeller missionary seminar . During his time in Korntal he could be heard on Süddeutscher Rundfunk and Südwestfunk with early prayer as well as on Evangeliums-Rundfunk .

As an author, he wrote biblical commentaries, lexicon articles, over a hundred contributions for the gospel radio and, from 1980, sermon interpretations (all Sunday texts of the six-year church pericope order in written sermons interpreted as sermon meditations of the series “Consolation and Power from God's Word”) in the footsteps of Hans Brandenburg . With him he also brought out the “Korntaler Hefte”. He was the author of the sermon meditations of the series “Consolation and Power”, which was designed as a sermon template for lecturers , and was co-editor of the magazine “Confidence and Strength: Magazine for Worship and Annunciation - Preaching Aids”, which was initially published for “Congregation Day under the Word” then appeared bimonthly from 1982. He was co-editor of the study bible “Lutherbibelexplained”, published in 1974 , in which 64 employees interpreted the Bible in a language that laymen could understand. Many of his books have also appeared in Romanian and Russian.

Honorary positions

Grünzweig was appointed to the Ludwig Hofacker Association (Evangelical Working Group for the Bible and Confession in Württemberg) in 1963 and was its chairman from 1965 to 1980. Under his impulses, it became a common platform for all Württemberg pietistic communities and their missionary activities. Between 1980 and 1986 he was chairman of the Conference of Confessing Communities in the Evangelical Churches in Germany , worked from 1971 to 1977 as a member of the regional synod of the Evangelical Church in Württemberg in the synodal group Living Congregation and was a long-time member of the board of various missions and diaconal organizations. He was a co-founder and committee member of the Albrecht-Bengel-Haus eV association, which was founded in Tübingen on December 27, 1969, and ensured that the house was built near the theological faculty.

Private

Fritz Grünzweig married his wife Liselotte Denzinger in Ulm in 1949, who died in April 2016. The couple had three children - Elisabeth, Gerhard and the writer Dorothea Grünzweig - and lived in Korntal. Shortly after his 75th birthday, Grünzweig died of complications from a brain tumor and was buried in the Korntal cemetery.

Awards

Publications

  • The Evangelical Brethren Congregation Korntal: Path, Essence and Work , Ernst Franz Verlag, Metzingen 1957.
  • Are we ready for the future? A reflection for responsible Christians , Ernst Franz Verlag, Metzingen 1962.
  • Gottlieb Wilhelm Hoffmann: the founder of the brother communities Korntal and Wilhelmsdorf , Evang. Missionsverlag, Stuttgart 1963.
  • Think big of Jesus: the message of the Colossians letter (Korntaler Hefte, No. 1), Hänssler Verlag , Neuhausen-Stuttgart 1966.
  • What Does the Bible Say About the Holy Spirit? (Korntaler Hefte, No. 4), Hänssler Verlag, Neuhausen-Stuttgart 1966.
  • What Does Revelation Tell Us Today? An interpretation of the last book of the Bible (Korntaler Hefte, No. 9), Hänssler Verlag, Neuhausen-Stuttgart 1968.
  • The Evangelical Brethren Congregation Korntal yesterday and today: on its 150th anniversary , Evangelische Brüdergemeinde Korntal, Stuttgart 1969.
  • Spotlight on the way through the end times: the meaning of the prophetic word of the Bible today , Hänssler Verlag, Neuhausen-Stuttgart 1974, ISBN 978-3-7751-0150-9 .
  • What the Synodal Discussion Group “Living Congregation” is all about , Ludwig Hofacker Association in Württemberg, Korntal 1977.
  • The Lord's Prayer: Praying in the School of Jesus , Verlag der Liebenzeller Mission , Bad Liebenzell 1979, ISBN 978-3-88002-085-6 .
  • Why are my prayers not being answered? , Verlag der Liebenzeller Mission, Bad Liebenzell 1980.
  • Fate or leadership? , Verlag der Liebenzeller Mission, Bad Liebenzell 1980.
  • Comfort and strength from God's word. Distribution sermons for every Sunday (sermons for every Sunday on the Perikopentexte 1981–1989), Schriftenmissionsverlag, Neukirchen-Vluyn.
  • Friedrich Christoph Oetinger in the area of ​​Swabian Pietism: Origin and Effect of His Thought , 1982. LEO-BW
  • Christ in us: the message of the Bible from the Holy Spirit , Verlag der Liebenzeller Mission, Bad Liebenzell 1983, ISBN 978-3-88002-185-3 .
  • Thoughts for every day , Verlag der Liebenzeller Mission, Bad Liebenzell 1985, ISBN 978-3-88002-251-5 .
  • The Sermon on the Mount: Answers to Today's Questions , Hänssler Verlag, Neuhausen-Stuttgart 1985, ISBN 978-3-7751-1009-9 .
  • Christ and illness - the sick person in the community , Hänssler Verlag, Neuhausen-Stuttgart 1985.
  • A little guide to pastoral care: a task for everyone who believes in Jesus , Verlag der Liebenzeller Mission, Bad Liebenzell 1987, ISBN 978-3-88002-251-5 .
  • To praise his fame: experiences and insights from long service (autobiography), R. Brockhaus , Wuppertal 1988, 2nd edition 1989, ISBN 978-3-417-24098-6 .
  • ed. by Stephan Zehnle: Introduction to the biblical books (two volumes ), Hänssler Verlag, Holzgerlingen 1991 (posthumous), ISBN 978-3-7751-1773-9 .
  • ed. by Thomas Schirrmacher : Introduction to the Biblical Books and The Evangelical Faith compact (CD-ROM for BibleWorkshop), Hänssler Verlag, Holzgerlingen 2006.

as author and co-editor

  • Edition C Series : Bible Commentaries. About the New Testament :
    • Revelation of John , Hänssler Verlag, Holzgerlingen 1981 (two volumes)
    • 1st Timothy letter , Hänssler Verlag, Holzgerlingen 1990 (posthumous).
    • 2nd Timothy letter , Hänssler Verlag, Holzgerlingen 1990.
    • Titus and Philemon letters , Hänssler, Holzgerlingen 1990.
  • Wuppertal Study Bible Series :
    • The letter of James , explained by Fritz Grünzweig, Brockhaus, Wuppertal 1973, 7th edition (new edition) 1992.
    • The letter to the Hebrews , explained by Fritz Grünzweig, Brockhaus, Wuppertal 1989.

as a co-author

  • with Hans Brandenburg : Voices from Pietism (Korntaler Hefte, No. 6), Hänssler Verlag, Holzgerlingen 1950.
  • World unity through church unity . In: Walter Künneth, Peter Beyerhaus (Hrsg.): Reich Gottes oder Weltgemeinschaft , Verlag der Liebenzeller Mission, Bad Liebenzell 1975, ISBN 978-3-88002-015-3 .
  • with Rolf Scheffbuch : “Why don't you help us?” On the statement of the Evangelical Methodist Church , Ludwig Hofacker Association, Korntal-Münchingen 1977.
  • Ludwig Hofacker and his call to us today , in: Theo Sorg: Keeping life in motion, Pietism and Church in Württemberg , E. Franz, Metzingen 1980, ISBN 978-3-7722-0176-9 .
  • Biblical stories for children (multi-part work, Ed. Ludwig Hofacker Association ), Hänssler Verlag, Holzgerlingen 1982.
  • God loves this world - he loves you , St. Johannis, Lahr 1986, ISBN 978-3-501-19628-1 .
  • with Traugott Thoma (ed.): ... but five were clever: a practical interpretation of the parables of Jesus , Verlag der Liebenzeller Mission, Bad Liebenzell 1986, ISBN 978-3-88002-281-2 .
  • with Traugott Thoma (Ed.): See, I'm coming soon: a practical interpretation of the seven letters , Verlag der Liebenzeller Mission, Bad Liebenzell 1988, ISBN 978-3-88002-365-9 .
  • with Traugott Thoma (ed.): God's eternal loyalty: well-known personalities report from their lives , Verlag der Liebenzeller Mission, Bad Liebenzell, 1989, ISBN 978-3-88002-392-5 .
  • with Ernst Rudin and Ruedi Schüpbach (eds.): Working aids for pastors: texts and materials on pastoral care , Brendow Verlag , Moers 1992, ISBN 978-3-87067-482-3 .
  • The large Bible lexicon (special edition), Brunnen Verlag (Gießen) 2004, ISBN 978-3-7655-5425-4 .

as co-editor

  • Luther Bible explains: the Holy Scriptures in Martin Luther's translation with explanations for the biblical community (so-called Grünzweig Bible), Württembergische Bibelgesellschaft , Stuttgart 1974.
  • Way and testimony. Confessing Communities in the Current Church Struggle 1965–1980 (published on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Conference Confessing Communities in the Evangelical Churches in Germany), Verlag der Liebenzeller Mission, Bad Liebenzell 1981, ISBN 978-3-88002-122-8
  • Biblical dictionary , R. Brockhaus, Wuppertal 1982, 5th edition 1994, ISBN 978-3-417-24081-8 .
  • The large Bible lexicon (2 volumes), R. Brockhaus, Wuppertal 1987, ISBN 978-3-417-26300-8 .

Essays

  • Church and Pietism
  • Our spiritual ancestors
  • The church evangelizes
  • The main thing is that I'm in!
  • Course correction through the Bible: on the task of the mission
  • The congregation tempted to make a dangerous compromise: the letter to the congregation in Pergamon
  • Jesus Christ - our confidence and strength - even if our life does not seem to mean anything or to align
  • One should think about it once: Suggestions for conversations about faith , Korntal 1966.
  • Gottlieb Wilhelm Hoffmann. Founder of Korntal and Wilhelmsdorf. 1771–1846 , in: Life pictures from Swabia and Franconia. Volume XI. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart 1969, pp. 150-173.
  • Wanting one thing, one thing to know: Michael Hahn in memory , 1979.
  • Korntal: a home for begging children
  • Ludwig Hofacker, revival preacher in Württemberg
  • The Ludwig Hofacker Association: Evangelical Working Group for the Bible and Confession in Württemberg , 1980.
  • Ludwig Hofacker and his call to us today , Metzingen 1980.
  • Course correction through the Bible: on the task of the mission , in: Evangelical Commentaries 13. 1980, 8, pp. 460–463. ISSN  0300-4236 .
  • Together on the same ground (answer from Pastor Fritz Grünzweig during his doctorate on January 23, 1982 in Korntal), Ludwig-Hofacker-Vereinigung, Korntal-Münchingen 1982.
  • An original from God's hand: for the 225th birthday of Johann Michael Hahn , 1983.
  • The Luther year a year of penance: a call for penance in the year of commemoration of the 500th birthday of Martin Luther ( on behalf of the Conference of Confessing Communities in the Protestant Churches in Germany), in: Information letter from the Confessional Movement No Other Gospel No. 99, Lüdenscheid 1983.
  • Church and Pietism , 1985.

literature

  • Rolf Scheffbuch (Ed.): Jesus - preached and believed , authored by a group of friends for Pastor Fritz Grünzweig on the occasion of his 65th birthday on November 5, 1979, Hänssler Verlag, Holzgerlingen 1979, ISBN 978-3-7751-0460 -9 .
  • Kurt Heimbucher and Traugott Thoma (ed.): Diener Jesu Christi. Well-known personalities report from their lives , Verlag der Liebenzeller Mission, Bad Liebenzell 1984, ISBN 978-3-88002-232-4 .
  • Rolf Scheffbuch (Ed.): Read the Roman Letter, Festschrift for Dr. Fritz Grünzweig on his 75th birthday in 1989 , published by the Ludwig Hofacker Association, Korntal-Münchingen 1989.
  • Theo Sorg : Fritz Grünzweig: an episcopal figure (memorial at the memorial service on November 29, 1989 in the Great Hall of the Korntal Brethren), in: ER the head, we his members: Church and Pietism in Württemberg , SCM Hänssler, Holzgerlingen 2000, p 139f., ISBN 978-3-7751-3638-9 .
  • Walter Roth: Grünzweig, Fritz , Baden-Württemberg biographies. 3, 2002, pp. 125f.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Grünzweig, Fritz , in: Fred L. Sepaintner (ed.): Baden-Württembergische Biographien (BWB) Volume 3, 125, Kohlhammer Verlag , Stuttgart 2013, ISBN 978-3-17-024863-2 .
  2. ↑ Descriptions in Grünzweig's autobiography: To praise his fame: Experiences and knowledge from long service , Brockhaus, Witten 1988, p. 48ff.
  3. ↑ "Bishop of the Quiet in the Land". To commemorate the 90th birthday and 15-year anniversary of the death of Pastor Fritz Grünzweig in November 2004 ( memento from March 6, 2016 in the Internet Archive ), die-apis.de, obituary by Rolf Scheffbuch in the magazine Gemeinschaft 12/2004, p. 28f.
  4. ↑ Fritz Grünzweig: Mediator between Church and Pietism , idea.de, message from November 6, 2014.
  5. ↑ Pastor Fritz Grünzweig and his work ( Memento from February 22, 2016 in the Internet Archive ), diakonie-korntal.de, Gemeindebrief 4/2014, p. 19.
  6. ↑ ISSN  0722-3234
  7. ↑ Rolf Scheffbuch: How did it come about? Church developments in Württemberg since 1951 - Part 2 : in Lebendige Gemeinde 12/1998.
  8. ↑ Remembrance evening for the 100th birthday of Fritz Grünzweig: Korntaler Brüdergemeinde commemorates clergymen , lively-gemeinde.de, article from November 5, 2014.
  9. ↑ Martin Holland: Albrecht-Bengel-Haus , in: Helmut Burkhardt and Uwe Swarat (eds.): Evangelical Lexicon for Theology and Congregation. 1, R. Brockhaus Verlag, Wuppertal 1992, ISBN 3-417-24641-5 , p. 34.
  10. ↑ History of the ABH , bengelhaus.de, accessed on September 12, 2015.
  11. ↑ Liselotte Grünzweig's funeral ( Memento from April 16, 2016 in the web archive archive.today )
  12. ↑ Grünzweig: Vita , leo-bw.de, accessed on September 7, 2015.
  13. ↑ New steles in the Korntal cemetery testify to an eventful past ( memento from September 6, 2015 in the Internet Archive ), diakonie-korntal.de, report from November 26, 2013.
  14. ^ Commemorative evening on the occasion of the 100th birthday of Pastor Dr. hc Fritz Grünzweig on November 5, 2014. In: our tower - parish letter of the Evangelical Brethren Church Korntal 4/2014, pp. 12-19 , bruedergemeinde-korntal.de.
personal data
SURNAME Grünzweig, Fritz
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Grünzweig, Friedrich (maiden name); Grjuncvejg, Fric
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German Protestant pastor
DATE OF BIRTH November 5, 1914
PLACE OF BIRTH Bissingen on the Teck
DATE OF DEATH November 24, 1989
Place of death Korntal