Johann Georg Gichtel facts for kids

Johann Georg Gichtel (born March 14, 1638 – died January 21, 1710) was a German mystic and a religious leader. He disagreed with some ideas of Lutheranism, which is a branch of Protestant Christianity. His followers eventually formed their own separate group.

A Life of Faith and Visions

Johann Georg Gichtel was born in Regensburg, a city in Germany. His father was an important member of the city's government.

Early Studies and Changes

Gichtel was very smart and learned many languages at school, including Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, and even Arabic. He went to Strasbourg to study theology, which is the study of religious faith. However, he didn't like the theology lessons he received.

So, he decided to study law instead. He became a lawyer, first in Speyer and then back in Regensburg.

A New Path

Gichtel's life changed when he met Baron Justinianus von Weltz. This Hungarian nobleman had a big dream: he wanted to bring all Christians together and spread Christianity around the world. Gichtel also started having dreams and visions that made him think about a different kind of world.

Because of these experiences, he lost interest in being a lawyer. He became very active in a group called the Christerbauliche Jesusgesellschaft, which means "Christian Edification Society of Jesus." This group focused on building up Christian faith.

Trouble and Travel

At first, Gichtel's group didn't cause any problems. But then, Gichtel began to criticize the teachings of the Lutheran church and its leaders. He especially disagreed with their idea of "justification by faith," which is about how people become right with God.

Because of his strong opinions, Gichtel faced legal action. In 1665, he was ordered to leave the country and his property was taken away. He spent many months traveling and having adventures.

Finding a Home in the Netherlands

In January 1667, Gichtel finally reached the Netherlands. He settled in a town called Zwolle. There, he worked with Friedrich Breckling, who shared many of his beliefs and hopes.

However, Gichtel got into trouble again because of his friend. He was put in prison for a while and then banished from Zwolle for several years. Finally, in 1668, he found a permanent home in Amsterdam.

In Amsterdam, he met another spiritual person named Antoinette Bourignon. Gichtel lived a simple life, often without much money, but he was never completely poor. He spent his days having visions, praying, and experiencing spiritual insights. He gathered a small group of followers who called themselves the "Brethren of the Angelic Life."

Following Jakob Böhme

Gichtel became a strong follower of Jakob Böhme, another famous mystic. Gichtel even published Böhme's works in 1682. By the time Gichtel died, he had attracted his own group of followers, known as "Gichtelians" or "Brethren of the Angels."

These followers believed they could hear God's voice inside them. They tried to live a life free from worldly desires, like "the angels in heaven, who neither marry nor are given in marriage." They believed they had a special role, like priests, to help others by suffering for them, just as Christ did.

While Jakob Böhme wanted to stay a loyal member of the church, Gichtel's followers became separatists, meaning they broke away from the main church.

His Writings

Gichtel's letters were published by Gottfried Arnold, one of his followers, in 1701 and again in 1708. These letters have been reprinted many times under the title Theosophia practica, which means "Practical Wisdom of God." The seventh volume of a Berlin edition from 1768 includes information about Gichtel's life.

See also

• Behmenism
• Esoteric Christianity
• German mysticism
• Rosicrucianism