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[German Version] I. History – II. Practical Theology – III. Latin America, Asia, Africa I. History 1. Early Church. The verb κατήχειν/ katḗchein originally denoted the oral transmission of a message in the sense of “tell, inform.” In Paul and early Christian literature it usually means “teach, instruct” (Gal 6:6; Lat. catechizare); in contrast to glossolalia, it refers to intelligible speech (1 Cor 14:19; Luke 1:4) such as instruction in the law (Rom 2:18) or in the teaching (“the way”) of the Lord (Acts 18:25). In t…

[German Version] Patriarchalism, related to patriarchy, denotes the claim that men are fundamentally superior and should take the lead in family and society. It justifies the domination of women by men but also implies that the father or husband plays a protective role. The “patriarch” claims to be looking after the interests of his inferiors or women, albeit without considering their own wishes and preferences. Patriarchalism manifests itself as an ideology legitimating male domination of women, …

[German Version] I. Concept – II. New Testament – III. Practical Theology I. Concept The term “apostasy” – like faith a specific of the Judeo-Christian tradition – is rarely used today, although it has greater significance in Catholic sacramental practice and communion (Excommunication). Apostasy indicates the departure from the teaching and life of the faith community; heresy refers to the rejection of binding doctrine without renouncing the faith entirely. Idolatry, historically the veneration of other gods, can also refer to secular forms of de facto adherence. While these t…

[German Version] I. Religious Studies – II. Systematic Theology I. Religious Studies Doctrine is an oral or written system of traditions regarding the content of faith (Dogma, Revelation, Truth) and the implementations of faith (Rite and ritual). A doctrine assumes a community that defines itself through the establishment of orthodox thinki…

[German Version] I. Social History, Sociology, Social Ethics – II. Practical Theology I. Social History, Sociology, Social Ethics The concept of home (or home country, Ger. Heimat) stirs ambivalent emotions: Heimat stands for the longing for security and rest, but, misused as propaganda, also for ideological resistance to the new and the foreign. In contrast to the customary connotation of connections to origins and the imprint of tradition (cf. Education/Formation: II), E. Bloch understands home as an expression of unfulf…

[German Version] (May 30, 1766, Giessen – Apr 3, 1837, Heidelberg). Schwarz, son of Johann Georg Gottlieb Schwarz (1734–1788), professor of theology at Giessen, served as pastor in several churches in Upper Hesse. In 1804 he was appointed professor of Protestant theology and education at the University of Heidelberg. He turned down several offers, including a call to succeed F.D.E. Schleiermacher in 1834. He had a voice in the formulation of the union catechism for Baden (1821–1834). His Grundriß der kirchlich-protestantischen Dogmatik (1817) may be considered the first hand…

[English Version] Patriarchalismus, abgeleitet von Patriarchat (»Vaterherrschaft«), bez. die Behauptung einer grundsätzlichen Überlegenheit und Führung des Mannes in Familie und Gesellschaft, die die Vorherrschaft von Männern über Frauen begründet, die aber auch eine schützende Funktion des Vaters/Mannes einschließt: Der Patriarch beansprucht, das Interesse der Untergebenen/Frauen wahrzunehmen, freilich ohne ihre eigenen Wünsche und Einstellungen zu berücksichtigen. P. zeigt sich als Legitimations…

[English Version] Schwarz, Friedrich Heinrich Christian (30.5.1766 Gießen – 3.4.1837 Heidelberg), Sohn des Gießener Theologieprof. Johann Georg Gottlob Sch. (1734–1788), war Pfarrer in mehreren Gemeinden in Oberhessen, ab 1804 Prof. für ev. Theol. und Päd. an der Universität Heidelberg. Mehrere Rufe (u.a. auf die Nachfolge F. Schleiermachers 1834) lehnte er ab. Er war an der Formulierung des Badischen Unionskatechismus beteiligt (1821–1834). Sein »Grundriß der kirchl.-prot. Dogmatik« (1817) kann als …