Paul Gerhard German Lutheran theologian. Date of Birth: 12.03.1607 Country: Germany

Biography of Paul Gerhardt

Paul Gerhardt was a German Lutheran theologian. Born in 1607, he grew up in a family that was greatly affected by the hardships brought upon by the Thirty Years' War. Despite losing both of his parents at a young age, Gerhardt was able to receive a solid education at the St. Augustine School in Grimma from 1622 to 1627.

In 1628, Gerhardt went on to study theology at the University of Wittenberg. It was during this time that he began writing poems, aiming to inspire courage and hope in those suffering from the effects of the war. In Berlin, he developed a close friendship with Johann Crüger, the cantor of St. Nicholas Church. Crüger was the publisher of the hymn collection "Praxis Pietatis Melica," which included Gerhardt's texts.

In 1651, Gerhardt became the provost of Mittweida, and from 1657 to 1667, he served as a deacon at St. Nicholas Church in Berlin. However, he lost this position due to his refusal to sign the Edict of Toleration issued by the Great Elector, an ideological Calvinist perspective that was unacceptable to Lutherans. In the same year, Johann Georg Ebeling, Crüger's successor as cantor of St. Nicholas Church, published a complete edition of Gerhardt's hymns.

From 1669 until his death, Gerhardt held the position of archdeacon at St. Nicholas Church in Lübben. The hardships of the Thirty Years' War had a significant impact on Gerhardt's work, as he sought to affirm patience, trust, and hope in his poems. His texts showed a transition from the objective to the subjective, from collective prayer to personal communion with God. Many of Gerhardt's songs became popular among the people, and some of his texts were even used by Johann Sebastian Bach in his compositions.

During the Enlightenment era, Gerhardt's work was less appreciated, but a renewed interest in his poetry emerged during the Romantic period. Today, the works of this Lutheran poet have been translated into many languages and are used in Catholic and Reformed churches. Germany widely celebrated the 400th anniversary of Gerhardt's birth, honoring his contributions to religious music and poetry.