Michael Berns
Michael Berns , also Bern, Berens, Behrens (born September 22, 1657 in Buxtehude ; † January 15, 1728 in Wandsbek ) was a German theologian of Lutheran Orthodoxy and master's degree in philosophy.
Live and act
Michael Berns was a son of Johann Berens. The mother's name is not documented. He attended a school in Stade and the academic high school in Hamburg . He then studied theology at universities in Giessen , Jena and Wittenberg . From 1684 he worked as a deacon, from 1689 as archdeacon in Wesselburen . In his third marriage, he married Anna Cathrina Michalis (1658–1728), whose father Caspar Michaelis worked as a pastor in Wandsbek . After the death of his father-in-law, Berns took over his pastoral care department until his death.
Berns, who was considered to be scientifically interested and linguistically gifted, became known through several publications. He spoke out against emerging tendencies in philosophy, such as against Hobbes and Spinoza , but was also critical of chiliasm , enthusiasm and the Quaker movement . He dealt particularly critically with the Biblia Pentapla , published in Wandsbek in 1710 and in Hamburg in 1711 , which, in addition to Martin Luther's translation, also included a Catholic, Reformed, Jewish (Old Testament), Pietist (New Testament) and Dutch version. Berns feared that the differences that could be perceived as a result would only be interpreted subjectively (lumen internum) and that this could give rise to new and free thoughts. In his view, this “abomination” was able to confuse Christianity.
Berns wrote several books on this, which appeared in print. In the foreword to the book "Altar of Atheists, Heyden and Christians" he announced that he would like to express himself in further works on issues of theology, philosophy and natural sciences.
literature
- W. Rustmeier: Berns, Michael . in: Schleswig-Holstein Biographical Lexicon . Volume 1. Karl Wachholtz Verlag, Neumünster 1970, pp. 71-72
Web links
- Literature by and about Michael Berns in the catalog of the German National Library
Individual evidence
- ^ Biblia Pentapla , digitized version of the first edition
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Berns, Michael |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Bern, Michael; Berens, Michael; Behrens, Michael |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | German theologian and university professor |
| DATE OF BIRTH | September 22, 1657 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Buxtehude |
| DATE OF DEATH | January 15, 1728 |
| Place of death | Wandsbek |