Career
In 1780 he became an associate professor of theology and philosophy at the University of Wittenberg, where he served as rector in 1790-1791. In 1792 he was appointed Oberhofprediger (first preacher) to the Saxon court in Dresden. He was not opposed to contemporary rationalist thought, yet at the same time stressed the importance of divine supremacy and Biblical authority.
Reinhard was a prominent figure in the Leben-Jesu-Forschung (Quest for the Historical Jesus) movement, a concept initiated by Hermann Samuel Reimarus (1694-1768).
He also exerted considerable influence upon the German educational system.