Adolf von Harnack and the Essence of Christianity
Adolf von Harnack (1851-1930). Theologian and Church Historian. Harnack was appointed full Professor at the University of Berlin in 1888 and remained there until his retirement in 1921. His primary historical field was the Patristic period, especially the writings of the pre-Nicene fathers. He published an important study Marcion and the multi-volume History of Dogma. His "Liberal Protestant" theological position was marked by his hostility to the "intrusions" of Hellenistic metaphysics into the "purity" of the Christian Gospel. Harnack's most widely-read theological statement was published as Das Wesen des Christentums in 1900 (What is Christianity? is the English translation of 1901). This was the text of a series of lectures given in the university of Berlin, 1899-1900.