Abstract:
The article is a lexicographic contribution to Reformation 500. Two relatively unknown
Lutheran theologians to the South African public, namely August Francke and Paul Tillich,
are presented here. Both were students and lecturers at the Martin Luther University of Halle-
Wittenberg. Both of them wanted to be known as Lutheran theologians. The two are totally
opposites. Francke was a practical theologian who initiated many diaconal projects that are
still active after 300 years. Tillich was a philosopher of religion and a systematic theologian.
He made a huge contribution in promoting Lutheran ideas to secular society in the United
States of America.
Description:
Prof. Natie van Wyk is
participating in the research
project, ‘History of the
Netherdutch Reformed
Church/Geskiedenis van die
Nederduitsch Hervormde
Kerk’, directed by Dr Wim
Dreyer, Department of
Church History and Church
Polity, Faculty of Theology,
University of Pretoria.