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[German Version] (Sep 27, 1722, Fahrland near Potsdam – Aug 25, 1796, Vorsfelde near Wolfsburg), studied in Helmstedt where he attended lectures by J.L. v. Mosheim. In 1747, he became a Lutheran pastor in Glentorf near Königslutter, and in 1762 superintendent and pastor primarius in Vorsfelde. Sympathetic in his early years with the theology of Wolffianism (C. Wolff), he ultimately adhered to late orthodoxy (Orthodoxy: II, 2) and opposed G.E. Lessing in the Fragments Controversy. In addition, Lüderwald became known especially for his comprehensive treatise on the Berufung und Seli…

[German Version] (Jan 9, 1836, Mieszkowice [Ger. Bärwalde], Poland – May 3, 1924, Belzig) was a Protestant pastor in Bitterfeld (1861), Frankfurt an der Oder (1863) and Mörz near Belzig (1869–1913); he was a cartographer for Justus Perthes in Gotha (1865–1869). As a close collaborator with G. Warneck, Grundemann was a co-founder of missiology, for which he created the cartographical and statistical foundations, especially through his Allgemeiner Missionsatlas (4 vols., 1867–1871); with Warneck, he published the Allgemeine Missionszeitschrift (1, 1874–1837, 1910) and auth…

[German Version] (Jul 21, 1799, Stuttgart – Nov 12, 1862, Calw) served as Lutheran pastor in Möttlingen (Black Forest) from 1824 to 1838. A journalist and author, he founded (1833) and directed the Calwer Verlag (1838–1862). He was an internationally renowned, pioneering ecumenical figure of the Württemberg revival movement. A man of many talents and great energy, he led a highly productive life: He wrote for the general public and for young people ( Christliche Kirchengeschichte, 1835, 241905, 37 translations; Jugendblätter, 1836–1951; his Biblische Geschichten, 1832, 4831945, 8…

[German Version] (Gnadau Brazil Mission), founded in 1927 as an independent work of the Evangelische Gnadauer Gemeinschaftsverbandes für Evangelisation und Gemeinschaftspflege (Protestant Gnadau Society for Evangelization and Congregational Ministry Gnadauer Verband) among those of German extraction in southern Brazil (since 1989 also in Paraguay). The work includes socio-diaconal assistance and theological education (theological academy, founded 1988). Currently, it includes some 45 workers, most…

[German Version] 1. Christian Gottlieb (Apr 29, 1779, Stuttgart – Dec 19, 1838, Basel). As a pastor in the Württemberg regional church, Blumhardt played a central role in the ¶ intensive exchange between the capital Basel and Pietist basic groups in his native Württemberg that arose in the early 19th century. From 1803 to 1807 he was assistant secretary of the German Society of Christianity (Deutsche Christentumsge…

[German Version] (1676?, Wesenberg near Neustrelitz – Jan 4, 1752, Beidenfleth near Itzehoe), studied theology as a student of Joachim Lange in Halle (from 1702) and was a teacher in the Francke Foundations (from 1703). Sent out by the Danish-Halle Mission as the earliest Lutheran missionary, along with B. Ziegenbalg, he worked from 1706 in Tranquebar on the east coast of southern India. Less talented than Ziegenbalg, he cared mainly for the Portuguese community. In 1711 he returned to Germany and…

[German Version] (Apr 12, 1782, Wimsheim, near Pforzheim – Dec 8, 1867, Basel), vigorous organizer of the revival movement (Revival/Revival movements) in southern Germany. After receiving training in public administration, in 1801 he was appointed secretary of the Deutsche Christentumsgesellschaft in Basel, where he inspired or founded several missionary and philanthropic institutions, including the Basel Bible Society (1804) and the Basel Mission (1815), a training center for teachers in ragged s…

[German Version] Meroe, Greek, ancient name (Hdt. II 29; Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia VI 184; Heliodorus, Aethiopica X 23.4, 24.2 as Meroebos) of the city and kingdom in the middle part of the Nile valley (between the 5th and 6th cataracts), today in the Sudan near Kabushia (city), Begrawia (necropolis), Naqa, and Mussawarat es-Sufra (temple district). Meroe is regarded as a continuation of the kingdom of Kush ( Kš, 2 Chr 21:16; Ezek 29:10; etc.). It came into existence in the 9th/8th century bce with the religious center (until the 1st cent. bce) in Napata (near modern-day Jebel…

[English Version] Plütschau, Heinrich (1676? Wesenberg bei Neustrelitz – 4.1.1752 Beidenfleth bei Itzehoe). Als Schüler Joachim Langes studierte er Theol. in Halle (ab 1702) und war Lehrer in den Franckeschen Stiftungen (ab 1703). Von der Dänisch-Halleschen Mission zus. mit B. Ziegenbalg als erster luth. Missionar entsandt, wirkte er seit 1706 in Tranquebar an der Ostküste Südindiens. Jenem an Begabung nachstehend, betreute er v.a. die port. Gemeinde. 1711 kehrte er nach Deutschland zurück und unte…

[English Version] Schmidt, Georg (30.9.1709 Kunewalde, Mähren – 2.8.1785 Niesky, Oberlausitz), erster prot. Missionar in Südafrika. – Der gelernte Metzger schloß sich 1726 der Herrnhuter Brüdergemeine (Brüder-Unität: II.) an. Für diese als Reiseprediger unterwegs, wurde er in Mähren inhaftiert (1728–1734). 1736 wurde Sch. ins Kapland entsandt, wo er in der Baviaanskloof (seit 1806 Genadendal) unter den Khoikhoi wirkte und, von N.v. Zinzendorf schriftlich ordiniert, 1742 die ersten Einheimischen tau…

[English Version] Spittler, Christian Friedrich (12.4.1782 Wimsheim bei Pforzheim – 8.12.1867 Basel), rühriger Organisator der süddt. Erweckungsbewegung. – Nach der kameralistischen Ausbildung wurde er 1801 Sekretär der Dt. Christentumsgesellschaft in Basel und initiierte oder gründete mehrere missionarisch-karitative Werke: u.a. Basler Bibel- (1804) und Missionsgesellschaft (1815; Basler Mission), Kinderrettungs- und Lehreranstalt Beuggen (1820), Basler Diakonissenhaus (1852). Hauptwerk ist die Pil…

[English Version] Schirnding, August Carl Friedrich Frhr. v. (14.10.1753 Schleusingen/Thüringen – 11.6.1812 Doberlug-Kirchhain/Niederlausitz), Vorläufer der Erweckungsbewegung. – Einem alten fränkischen und vogtländischen Adelsgeschlecht angehörend, wirkte er v.a. als Oberforstmeister in Doberlug und, von herrnhutischem Geist geprägt, als Initiator missionarisch-karitativer Werke (u.a. Erziehungsanstalt, bis nach Osteuropa reichende Schriftenmission). Bes. Bedeutung erlangte das von J. Jänicke geleitet…