OETINGER, FRIEDRICH CHRISTOPH, 1702-82; b. Goppingeo, in WOrtemberg; stud ied at the Niniversity of Tubingen, where he met those who styled themselves the inspired, and devoted himself to the mystical philosophy of Leibnitz and Wolf. After finishing his course at the university he became intimate with Bengel, with whom he corre sponded and whom he frequently visited. His aim was to infuse more of the biblical element into the philosophy of Wolf, and to "ascertain therein the final principles an(' highest unity of all thought." He read carefully the church fathers, especially tine, and studied the Babbins and their cabalistic speculations. He became acquainted with Francke, Spangenberg, and Zinzendorf. After traveling extensively lie returned to TtIbingen, where, having served as tutor and aided Zinzendorf in the translation of the Scriptures, lie. was appointed reader. of the of Halle. This post he resigned, and went to Holland. to confer with its eminent theologians. Return ing to WOrtemberg he was appointed in 1738 pastor at Hirschau. Having adopted the views of the Pietists, " with whom his purity of life, earnestness of manner, extensive theological acquirements, and, perhaps, his mysticism of style, all combined to give him great influence," he became their leader in that part of Germany. About this time he
became an earnest student of the writings of the mystic Battle, and also an ardent dis ciple of Emanuel Swedenborg, some of whose writings he translated into German. He attempted to arrange a system of theology on the mystical interpretation of Scripture. In 1763 he published a treatise entitled Earthly and Heavenly Philosophy, which, with his translation of the works of Swedenborg, brought upon him the reprehension of his ecclesiastical superiors. Yet he was protected by the duke of Wurtemberg, and was nominated to the superintendence of the churches in the district of Weinsberg, after ward in that of Herrenberg, and subsequently appointed prelate at Murhard, where he continued till his death. Be was held in high regard as a philosopher and theologian by those who adopted his views. He wrote, several philosophical and cabalistic works, and spent much time in studying the art of transmuting metals. His autobiography was published at Stuttgart in 1845, and a complete edition of his works was collected and edited in 1852 by Ehmann, who published his life and letters. The works of Oetinger amount to about seventy, the best of which is Theologia ex Idea Vita Deducts.