Johann Gichtel

Background

Gichtel was born at Regensburg, where his father was a member of senate.

Career

His followers ultimately separated from this faith. Having acquired at school an acquaintance with Greek, Hebrew, Syriac and even Arabic, he proceeded to Strasbourg to study theology. But finding the theological prelections of J. South. Schmidt and P. J. Spener distasteful, he entered the faculty of law.

The movement in its beginnings provoked at least no active hostility.

But when Gichtel began to attack the teaching of the Lutheran clergy and church, especially upon the fundamental doctrine of justification by faith, he exposed himself to a prosecution which resulted in sentence of banishment and confiscation (1665). After many months of wandering and occasionally romantic adventure, he reached the Netherlands in January 1667, and settled at Zwolle, where he co-operated with Friedrich Breckling (1629–1711), who shared his views and aspirations.

While, however, Böhme "desired to remain a faithful son of the Church," the Gichtelians became separatists.

Achievements

• Seeking ever to hear the authoritative voice of God within them, and endeavouring to attain to a life altogether free from carnal desires, like that of "the angels in heaven, who neither marry nor are given in marriage," they claimed to exercise a priesthood "after the order of Melchizedek," appeasing the wrath of God, and ransoming the souls of the lost by sufferings endured vicariously after the example of Christ.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Theosophia Practica (Spanish Edition)

    (INTROD. JULIO PERADEJORDI ?)

Connections

Acquaintance:

Antoinette Bourignon