Gertrud Wasserzug

Gertrud and Saturnin Wasserzug

Gertrud Margarete Elisabeth Wasserzug (born January 30, 1894 in Kassel , † October 6, 1992 in Bad Teinach-Zavelstein ) was a German evangelical theologian who, thanks to her numerous publications and the Bible school in Beatenberg (today Seminar for Biblical Theology Beatenberg ) contributed significantly to the spread of dispensationalist teachings.

Live and act

Gertrud Wasserzug, née Traeder, had an experience of conversion at the age of five after being shaped by her pious grandmother and a local priest who was faithful to the Bible , which decisively shaped her future life. As a child she learned the Greek language in self-study in order to be able to read the basic text of the New Testament . She was one of the first women to study theology and philosophy at the universities in Halle , Berlin and Bonn . In 1920 she was awarded a doctorate in Bonn with “The socio-political views of Adolf Stöckers according to the Christian-Social Workers Program of 1878” in Bonn. phil. PhD. Wasserzug was involved in student work from 1918 onwards and was the senior secretary of the German Christian Association of Student Women (DCVSF) from 1922 to 1926 .

In 1926 Gertrud Wasserzug met her future husband Saturnin Wasserzug (1862–1950) in Tübingen , who at the time was working as a pastor and Bible teacher at the German Institute for Medical Missions in Tübingen. Born in Switzerland, he was of Jewish descent and had previously been the director of a mission school in Tunis and a missionary in Palestine. Soon after their wedding in the same year, they both taught at the Malche women's mission school near Bad Freienwalde (Oder) , which was co-founded by Saturnin Wasserzug's younger sister Jeanne. Gertrud Wasserzug was the only university graduate at the school and took care of setting up a senior theological course that was supposed to secure access to the regional church for graduates.

In 1931 Gertrud Wasserzug met Ruth Paxson , a former missionary of the China Inland Mission in Switzerland . In the following year she translated her book Life on a Higher Plane into German (German: Das Leben im Geist ). The doctrine of sanctification represented in it in the sense of the English Keswick movement became decisive for Wasserzug theology. In 1933 and 1934 the Wasserzug couple organized three sanctification and revival conferences with Ruth Paxson in Brussels, The Hague and Copenhagen.

After the Wasserzug resettled in Switzerland for health reasons in 1932, they founded a Bible school and a Bible home in Beatenberg above Lake Thun in 1934 . The direction of this Bible school became Gertrud Wasserzug's life's work. Under her leadership, the Beatenberg Bible School developed into one of the leading evangelical training centers in Europe. It was not until the late 1950s that similarly oriented Bible and mission schools emerged in Germany. The focus of the teaching in the two-year missionary seminar and the two-year theological seminar based on it were the subjects of biblical studies , mission and dogmatics , which were mainly taught by Gertrud Wasserzug. The training, to which students without much previous training were also accepted, was practically theological, with many service assignments on the weekends and during the semester break.

In Beatenberg, too, Wasserzug organized larger conferences, such as the “1. International Conference on Bible, Prayer and World Evangelization ”with 250 participants. In 1948 the American mission organization Youth for Christ organized an international conference in Beatenberg on the initiative of the Wasserzug couple with the participation of leading American evangelicals such as Billy Graham , Oswald Smith , Harold John Ockenga , Ralph Freed , Robert Cook and Bob Jones II. The desire of the Wasserzug was spreading the cause of world mission among students. At this conference the plan for a systematic new evangelization of Germany and Europe was developed.

In 1947, with American support, a separate publishing work was created in Beatenberg called Grosse Freude . There writings and tracts in 27 languages ​​were printed, most of which were written by Wasserzug.

House Felsengrund in Zavelstein. The house was expanded in several phases.

In Germany, a subsidiary of the Beatenberg Bible School was founded in 1954, Biblical Home and Biblical School Böblingen , in which nurse training was also integrated. As a result of this work, the Biblical Home Haus Felsengrund was built in Bad Teinach-Zavelstein in 1969 . Here, too, water draft had a formative effect through lectures until her death. In 1968 there were differences between Wasserzug and the work association of the Beatenberg Bible School, which ultimately led to a complete separation of the works in Beatenberg and Böblingen.

Wasserzug was also involved in the establishment of other Christian organizations, such as the establishment of the Institut Biblique in Marseille and the Istituto Biblico in Italy in 1957 and later the House of Beth Shalom on Mount Carmel in Israel . Wasserzug founded and directed the "Beatenberg Association for World Mission". She was also involved in the founding of the Swiss Mission Community (1949), the Gospel Broadcasting Corporation , the United Sudan Mission , the Children's Evangelization Movement (KEB) in Switzerland and the German Mission Community .

A lively activity as a visiting lecturer connected Wasserzug with the American Christian College in Tulsa , Oklahoma , where she taught from 1973 to 1978 and which awarded her an honorary doctorate in 1978, and with the Biblical School Instituto Bíblico Sión in Montevideo , Uruguay , which she also helped found was. After her separation from the Beatenberg Bible School, she worked closely with the Midnight Call Mission , whose founder and director Wim Malgo was a former student of the Beatenberg Bible School.

Wasserzug wrote (often under the name Gertrud Wasserzug-Traeder) over fifty books and hundreds of articles, tracts and radio messages. She also published various magazines: Bible and Prayer , World Evangelization , The Word of Truth , My Friends: a children's sheet for Sunday school and a handout for publishers, missionaries and church leaders .

theology

Gertrud Wasserzug's theology is strongly influenced by Ruth Paxson's doctrine of sanctification. Sanctification can therefore be traced back to the filling with the Holy Spirit , which takes place through complete surrender and faith in the promises of Jesus Christ . Many of Wasserzug's publications refer to this "fullness of mind" teaching.

In addition, a clear influence of the English and American theology, which she had already turned to during her studies, can be seen in the case of water currents. Wasserzug represented the dispensationalism of Cyrus I Scofield and Lewis Sperry Chafer . She translated the notes from the American Scofield Bible into German, which shows her connection with the “theology of the times of salvation” and premillennialism .

During her studies, Wasserzug, disappointed, turned away from the critical interpretation of the Bible . She defended the complete reliability and infallibility of all biblical scriptures throughout her life. Wasserzug valued the Bible as the highest authority on all questions of faith and life. The writings mission in Beatenberg made a significant contribution to the spread of the Bible in Germany and Europe.

In addition to the theological education Wasserzug was also the World Mission is an important concern. For example, in 1951 she was one of the initiators of the foundation of the "German Mission Community", today DMG interpersonal . With the publication of the magazine “Weltevangelisation”, Wasserzug proved to be a knowledgeable missiologist .

Wasserzug was an important representative of evangelicalism in German-speaking countries and has had a far-reaching influence through the theological training of numerous students, through lectures and books, and through the works she founded or helped initiate.

Works

• The message of the Bible for us today. Biblical School Publishing House, Beatenberg 1940
• The holy will . An interpretation of the Ten Commandments . Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1947 and 1955
• The forgiveness of sins . Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 3rd edition 1948
• Lively church. St. Johannis , Lahr 1948
• From the gift of the Holy Spirit . St. Johannis, Lahr 1948 and Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1967
• On the new path. Ludwig Appel, Hamburg 1949
• I am. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1949
• Jesus Christ our Lord. The four gospels. The message of the Bible for us today. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1949
• The proclamation of salvation . Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1950
• Maybe today. Ludwig Appel, Hamburg 1950
• Light for the day. Dedicated to the memory of Saturnin Wasserzug, 1862–1950, the faithful servant of Jesus Christ. Midnight call, Pfäffikon 1951
• The crucified savior. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 8th edition 1952
• Either ... or. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1952
• Burning believers. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 6th edition 1955
• The message of the Bible for us today. The 1st – 5th Book of Moses. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1955
• Bible school in letters. Course 4. What Does the Bible Say About the Future? Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1955 and 1960. (New edition: Concordance of biblical statements about the future. Christliche Verlagsgesellschaft, Dillenburg 2007. ISBN 978-3-89436-537-0 )
• Bible school in letters. Course 3. The first book of Mose Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1957
• Direction from God's Word. Four lectures. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1957
• Jesus is victor. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 5th edition 1958
• Jesus Christ and you! Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 2nd edition 1958
• The Gospel according to Mark . A Bible study. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1958, 1978 and 2011
• Help to the service. About pastoral care . Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1958 and Verlag Mitternachtsruf, Pfäffikon 1980
• What Does the Bible Say About Healing the Sick? Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 2nd edition 1958 and Schriftenmission Bibelheim, Böblingen 1983
• The gospel to the children. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1958
• The second book of Genesis - help service. About Bible study . Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1958
• The new life. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 4th edition 1959
• The victory over sin. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 4th edition 1959
• Freedom through Jesus Christ. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 4th edition 1959
• Joy in the Holy Spirit. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 4th edition 1959
• The sky on earth. Reflections on the Kingdom of Heaven . Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1944 and 1959
• The word of the exalted Christ to his church. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1960
• Jesus Christ is coming again! Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 9th edition 1961
• The returning king. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 6th edition 1961
• The risen Lord. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 5th edition 1961
• Jesus Christ is enough. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 7th edition 1962 and Schriftenmission Bibel- und Erholungsheim Haus Felsengrund, Bad Teinnach 1984. ISBN 978-3-932127-06-9
• Prophecy becomes history. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 7th edition 1962
• Peace with god. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 5th edition 1962
• Redeemed! Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 4th edition 1962
• God's word is God's word. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 3rd edition 1962
• The Letter to the Romans : A Bible Study in Questions and Answers. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 2nd edition 1962
• A serious word on the ecumenical movement . Biblical School Publishing House, Beatenberg 1962
• Why? Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 7th edition 1963
• Jesus Christ in us. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg, 6th edition 1963
• Today's dispensation. Biblical School Publishing House, Beatenberg 1963
• The basics of world mission according to the New Testament . Biblical School Publishing House, Beatenberg 1963
• Proven through suffering. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1964
• Your child in God's hands. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1964
• Our Father in Heaven. Biblical School Publishing House, Beatenberg 1965
• In the last hour. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1967
• The message of the Bible for us today. The proclamation of salvation. Acts of the Apostles, Romans, 1st and 2nd Corinthians. Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1970
• After death. A Bible study in question and answer. Verlag Grosse Freude, Zurich 1971 and Schriftenmission Bibel and Recreation Home Haus Felsengrund, Bad Teinnach 1990
• How do I get to God? Verlag der Bibelschule, Beatenberg 1972
• The documents at the crossroads. Publisher Grosse Freude, Mitternachtsruf, Pfäffikon 1975
• Lord's Prayer - Reflections on the prayer of our Lord. Schriftenmission Bibelheim, Böblingen 1976 and 1994
• Zechariah the prophet of the restoration of Israel . The message of the Bible. Schriftenmission Bibelheim, Böblingen 1979. ISBN 978-3-932127-53-3
• Salvation in Jesus Christ for Jews and nations. Scripture Mission Bibelheim, Böblingen 1982
• Jesus is the Christ. A Bible Study of the Gospel According to John . Schriftenmission Bibelheim, Böblingen 1983. ISBN 978-3-932127-14-4
• The letter to the Hebrews . Biblical and recreation home Haus Felsengrund, Bad Teinnach 1983. ISBN 978-3-932127-12-0
• The rapture of the church is very near. Schriftenmission Bibelheim, Böblingen 1984
• Miracles of God's grace. 50 years of the “Bibelheim Beatenberg”. 30 years of the “Bibelheim Böblingen”. Festschrift. Schriftenmission Bibelheim, Böblingen 1984
• That's the truth. Scripture Mission Bibelheim, Böblingen 1986
• The Prophet Ezekiel . Biblical and recreation home Haus Felsengrund, Bad Teinnach 1986. ISBN 978-3-932127-11-3
• God's word for today. A Bible passage for every day. Schriftenmission Bibel- und Erholungsheim Haus Felsengrund, Bad Teinnach 1988. ISBN 978-3-932127-02-1
• The Bible school for everyone. Scripture Mission Bibelheim, Böblingen 1998
• Who can help me? Editor: Samuel Rindlisbacher, Mitternachtsruf, Pfäffikon 2007

Translations

• Ruth Paxson: Streams of Living Waters. Ludwig Appel Verlag, Hamburg, 5th edition 1949
• Ruth Paxson: Life in the Spirit. Verlag der Bibelschule Beatenberg, 2nd edition 1954; Biblical and recreation home Haus Felsengrund, 5th edition 1996. ISBN 978-3-932127-00-7
• Robert Edward Neighbor : Never Go Back! Publishing house of the Beatenberg Bible School, 1956
• FB Meyer: Moses the servant of God. A Bible study for the individual and for the Bible group. Great joy, 1968

literature

• Stephan Holthaus:  WATER ZUG, Gertrud Margarete Elisabeth. In: Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL). Volume 16, Bautz, Herzberg 1999, ISBN 3-88309-079-4 , Sp. 1515-1522.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ This article is mainly based on the information provided by Stephan Holthaus:  WASSERZUG, Gertrud Margarete Elisabeth. In: Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL). Volume 16, Bautz, Herzberg 1999, ISBN 3-88309-079-4 , Sp. 1515-1522.
2. ↑ Peter Mayer: ... the richer grace. Verlag Bibelschule Beatenberg 1995. ISBN 3-85576-037-3
3. ^ History of the DMG. DMG interpersonal , accessed on May 28, 2014 .