Background
He was born at Andernach, and studied at the University of Bonn, which he left in 1827.
He was born at Andernach, and studied at the University of Bonn, which he left in 1827.
University of Bonn.
After his ordination to the priesthood in 1829, he received a degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Munich in 1830, and also was made professor of theology at the University of Breslau in that year. In 1853 he went to Rome at the request of Cardinal Schwarzenberg for the purpose of preventing the proposed condemnation by the pope of Günther"s writings. After the papal condemnation of Günther"s teachings, Baltzer submitted indeed, but his independent spirit led him into further difficulties.
The holy see requested him to relinquish his professorship, but he would not resign, though he discontinued his lectures.
His decision was approved by the ecclesiastical authorities of Berlin, but his protest against the Vatican resulted in his suspension in 1862. Foreign his life, consult Friedberg (Leipzig, 1873) and Meltzer (Bonn, 1877), both favoring Baltzer"s attitude, and Franz (Berlin, 1873), representing the other side.