Geibel Johannes

Geibel Johannes, a clergyman of the Reformed Church of Germany, was born April 1,1776, at Hanau. After finishing his theological studies at the University of Marburg, be was for a short time tutor in a family at Copenhagen. In 1797 he was appointed vicar of the aged pastor of the Reformed church at Lubeck, and, when the latter died in 1798, Geibel became his successor. In his theological views Geibel had been influenced at first by Daub, Jacobi and Schleiermacher, subsequently by the mysticism of Keraer and the peculiar tenets of the Darleylites; but gradually he conformed himself more fully to the Reformed Church, in which he found the best expression of apostolical simsplicity and truth. His theology remained, however, always more Biblical than denominational. He gained a great reputation as a pulpit orator, and was regarded as one of the most successful championts of Biblical orthodoxy against Ratioanalism, which at that time prevailed in a large number of the Reformed churches of Germany. He severely criticised the Lutheran theses of Harms (q.v.), which le designated as obscure, one- sided, and dictatorial, and inspired with an injurious spirit of sectarianism. He published an "Introduction into the Christian Doctrine" (Einletung in die christliche Lehre, 1821), and two "Guides to the Instruction in the Christian Doctrine" (Leitfaden bei dem Unterrichte in der christl. Glaubenslehre, 1822; and Kurzer Leitfaden, etc., 1825). He also wrote several pamphlets in defense of his son, pastor Karl Geibel, of Brunswick, who by his orthodox zeal had offended the rationalistic majority of his own consgregation, and was censured by the Reformed Synod of Lower Saxony. Geibel declined several calls to other more lucrative positions, and remained in Lubeck until April 11, 1847, when he resigned. He died on the 25th of July, 1853. He is the father of the celebrated German poet Geibel. — Herzog, Real-Encyklopadie, 19:543.