BAUR, FERDINAND CHRISTIAN VON ( 1792 IMO), A German theologian. Be was born at Schmiden, near Stuttgart, June 21, 1792; studied theology in the Blaubeuren theological seminary from 1805 to 1809, and in the Uni versity of Tiibingen from 1809 to 1817. In 1817 he became professor in the Seminary of Blaubeuren, where he gave the first indications of his abilities by publishing his Symbofik and ilytholoyie oder die Natorrrligimi des Altertoms (Stuttgart. 3 vols., 1824-25). a work which indicates the influence of Sehleiermaeher over the author. In 1826 he was called to TO hingen, where he held the chair of Protestant theology. His whole life was consecrated to religious studies—the history of doctrines, the symbolism of the Church, and biblical exegesis. On account of the universality of his culture, the wonderful activity and fertility of his mind. his rare combination of speculative thought with solid knowledge, and that faculty of historic divination or insight which enabled him to draw decisive results from separate, obscure, and neglected data, he has been regarded by many in Germany as the most massive theological intel lect since Schleiermaeher. Unlike Bruno Bauer (q.v.). he made comparatively little use of the Hegelian philosophy in his writings; and when he did, it was professedly only that he might, more clearly understand historical phenomena in their internal spiritual connection, and be enabled to represent the logical process of their devel opment. His method of investigating the pro gressive history of religious opinion, however, incurred the reproach of formalism from its ad versaries, who said that he applied it too rigorously, and made dogmas develop themselves with a kind of abstract inevitable regularity from previous historical conditions, without al lowing for immediate and extraordinary provi denees. His most important works in the history of doctrine are Die christliche Gnosis oder die eh ristliehe igionsphilosoph ie 1835 ) . a work which makes the Christian Gnosis of the Second and Third centuries the starting-point of a long series of religio-philosophical produc tions traceable uninterruptedly down through :Middle-Age mysticism and theosophy toSehelling, Hegel, and Sehleiermnacner; Die ehristliehe Lehre con der l'ersohnung (Tiibingen. 1838) ; and Die christliehe Lehre con. der Drcieinigheit mind Nenschwerdong Gottes (Tiibingen, 1841-43). In reply to Millder, the celebrated Roman Catholic theologian, who had attacked the Protestant Church, he wrote Der Gegrus#tz dcs !Catholicism us owl Protcstantismus (Tiibingen, 18313). Besides these works, based on a historical treatment of religion, to which class also belongs his Lehrboek der ehristlichen Dogmengcsehirltle (Stuttgart, 1847), he published various critical treatises on parts of the New Testament; such as Dir Chris tospartci in der korinthischen Gcnirindr; der Gegensatz: des Paulini-schen nod Petrinischen Christenthoms; and Der Apostel Prtrus in Rom (1831)—a work in which the author endeavors to demonstrate the existence of deep-rooted dif ferences in that sphere of primitive Christianity in which we are accustomed to see nothing hut unity and harmony. His inquiries concerning
the Gnosis led him to study minutely the pas toral epistles. the result of which study was Die soycnannten Pastoralbricfe des Apostels Paulus (Stuttgart, 1835), in which he combats the idea that Saint Paul was their author, and refers them to the Second Century. Of a similar nature is his Paulus, der .4 poste/ Jesu Christi (Stutt gart, 1S45).
His work on the Gospel of John produced a startling effect, as up to Banes time that Gospel had generally been held prior in date to the three synoptic Gospels, whereas Baur strove hard to show that it was of post apostolic origin. In 1S47 appeared his Kritisehe Untersuchungen fiber die kanonischen Evangelic/1., ihrierhaltniss zu einander. ihren Ursprang and Charakter. I851 he published Das Markus evangelium na•h seinen, rrsprang and Charakter. In this and other similar works Baur maintained that we must extend our notions of the time within which the canonical writings were com posed to a period considerably post-apostolic, which can only be determined approximately by a careful investigation of the motives which apparently actuated their authors. The chief characteristic, therefore, of the Tiibingen School, as exhibited in the works of its founder. is the union of a subjective criticism with a strong con viction of the historic reality of the New Testa ment writings. Ile maintained that there were only four genuine Pauline epistles—Romans I. and 11., Corinthians, and Galatians. Baur died in Tiibingcn, December 2, 1860. Of his writ ings. there have appeared in English translation: Pant, the Apostle of Jesus Christ (1873-75, 2 vols.) : The Church History of the First Three Centuries (London. 1878-79. 2 vols.). For his biography. consult: Wortc der Erinnerang (Tubingen. 1861) ; C. von Weizsli•ker, Ferdi nand Christian Baur. Redc zu• akademischen Feier seines UM. Gebartstages (Stuttgart. 18[12) ; also, in general. R. W. Slackay, The Tubingen School and its Antccodents (London. 1863) ; A B. Bruce. F. C. Boor and His Theory of the Origin of Christianily (New York. 1886).