LütKemann, jOachim

Lütkemann, Joachim a German theologian, was born at Demmin, in Pomerania, December 15, 1608; studied at Stettin, and afterwards at the universities of Greifswalde and Strasburg; then traveled through France and Italy; and was magister legente of the philosophical faculty of Rostock in 1638, and appointed professor of metaphysics in 1643. He published at this time several philosophical works, such as his Lineamenta cosporis physici (Rostock, 1647). He also preached at the same time, and soon acquired great reputation by his eloquence and Christian earnestness. He became involved, however, in a quarrel with the strict orthodox party of Mecklenburg, upheld by the duke, on the question of the humanity of Christ in his death. Littkemann defended his views in his Dissertatio physico-theologicac de vero honmine, maintaining that the human nature of Christ ended in his death. He was expelled for these views, but immediately called to Brunswick as general superintendent and court preacher. Here he prepared in 1651 a School Discipline, and in 1652 a Church Discipline, which were adopted in Brunswick. He died in 1655. His most important works were devotional, and in this line he may be ranked next to Arndt and Muller. The principal are: Vorschmack d. gottlichen Gute (Wolfenb. 1643): — Vom irdischen Paradies: — Harfe auf zehn saiten. See P. Rethmeyer, Schicksalen, Schriften u. Gaben Lutkemann's (Brunswick); Tholuck, Akad. Leben, part 2, page 109; Herzog, Real- Encyklop. 8:536; Hagenbach, Hist. of Doctrines, volume 2, § 217.