Helmut Thielicke facts for kids

Helmut Thielicke

Helmut Thielicke was an important German Protestant theologian. He was also the leader of the University of Hamburg from 1960 to 1978. He was born in Wuppertal in 1908 and passed away in Hamburg in 1986.

A Life of Learning and Leadership

Early Life and Education

Helmut Thielicke grew up in Wuppertal, Germany. He attended a special high school called a Gymnasium. In 1928, he finished school and started studying philosophy and theology in Erlangen. He faced some serious health problems, including a difficult operation. Despite these challenges, he completed his studies. In 1932, he earned his first doctorate degree in philosophy. His work was about the connection between what is right (ethical) and what is beautiful (aesthetic).

Becoming a Professor

After his health improved, Thielicke continued his studies. He earned another doctorate, this time in theology, in 1934. He became a professor of systematic theology in Heidelberg in 1936. There, he met Marie-Luise Herrmann, and they got married in 1937. They had four children together.

Standing Up to the Nazis

Life became very difficult for Thielicke because of the Nazi government. He was part of the "Confessing Church". This group of Christians spoke out against the Nazis. The secret police, known as the Gestapo, questioned him many times. In 1940, he was even fired from his job.

He was forced to join the army. But after nine months, he was able to work for a church in Ravensburg. In 1942, he moved to Stuttgart. From there, he gave many sermons and lectures. The government tried to stop him by banning his travel, publications, and preaching.

Thielicke also had contact with a resistance group called the Freiburger Kreis. He didn't actively join their plans for a revolution. However, he wanted to help rebuild Germany after the war. In 1942, he suggested a plan that led to the creation of the first Evangelical Academy in Bad Boll in 1945. This academy helped promote Christian democracy.

Post-War Efforts and Global Travel

In 1944, Stuttgart was bombed during the war. Thielicke and his family had to move to Korntal. He continued his lectures and sermons there. These talks were secretly translated and read to soldiers on different war fronts.

Right after the war ended, Thielicke helped restart academic work in Germany. He became a professor at the University of Tübingen in 1947. He also became the head of the university. In 1954, he moved to Hamburg. There, he helped start a new theology department. He worked as both a dean and a professor. He also served as a pastor at St. Michaelis, a main church in Hamburg.

Thielicke traveled a lot. He went on lecture tours in the United States. In 1977, he met with American evangelist Billy Graham and President Jimmy Carter. He also visited Asia, South Africa, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand in the 1960s and 1970s.

Helmut Thielicke passed away in Hamburg in 1986 at the age of 77.

Images for kids

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  Helmut Thielicke's grave.