Spanheim, Friedrich (2)

Spanheim, Friedrich (2), the younger brother of Ezekiel, was born at Geneva in 1632, and graduated doctor of philosophy, in 1652 at Leyden. His dying father, however, induced him to devote himself to theology. He became the pupil of Fridland, Heidan, and Cocceius, and preached as a candidate in different churches of Zealand and Utrecht. In 1655 he was called to a theological professorship at Heidelberg by the elector palatine, Charles Louis, and entered on the duties of that position after having received the doctorate of divinity at Leyden; but in 1670 he returned to the latter town and became professor of theology and sacred history in its university. He was a thorough Calvinist in his views, and defended the teachings of Calvinism in several writings against Des Cartes and Cocceius. He was four times rector and held the office of chief librarian, and, in addition, was a most prolific writer, achieving such success in the latter character that he was dismissed from teaching in order that he might devote himself exclusively to authorship. He died in 1701, after having arranged for the publication of the first volume of his Complete Works. Two volumes remained, which were given to the public by his pupil and colleague John Marck, under the title Opera quatenus Complectuntur Geogr. Chronol. et. Hist. Sacr. atque Ecclesiasticam (Lugd. Bat. 1701-3, 3 vols. fol.). The works of Spanheim cover a wide range and embrace writings introductory to theology, an introduction to the Scriptures, exegesis, Biblical archaeology and Church history, dogmatics, polemics, and practical theology, and also sermons. See Niceron, Minoirespour servir a I'Hist. des Hommes Illusters (Paris, 1734), 29, 11-26; Chauffepie, Nouveau Dictionnaire Histor. et Critique (Amst. et La Haye, 1750-56); comp. also the discourse preached at Spanheim's funeral (Jan. 6, 1701) and contained in the Complete Works of Jakob Trigland.