14 Facts About Franz Overbeck

Franz Camille Overbeck was a German Protestant theologian.

Franz Overbeck was born in Saint Petersburg as a German citizen to Franz Heinrich Herrmann Overbeck, a German-British merchant, and his wife, Jeanne Camille Cerclet, who was born in Saint Petersburg to a French family.

From 1856 until 1864, Franz Overbeck studied theology in Leipzig, Gottingen, Berlin, and Jena.

In 1870, Franz Overbeck became professor of New Testament Exegesis and Old Church History at the University of Basel.

Franz Overbeck observed that early Christianity had opposed itself to every type of history, culture, and science, which made a "Christian theology" impossible.

Franz Overbeck regarded this project as impossible and fundamentally in error.

Franz Overbeck remained in Basel, and for more than ten years, he held the same introductory lecture without addressing his provocative theses.

The goal of this collection fulfilled the only purpose Franz Overbeck saw for a scholarly theologian: a profane history of the church.

Exactly what Christianity itself would not explain or could not understand, moreover what it would deny, Franz Overbeck documented, thereby demonstrating his primary dilemma: that a "Christian theology" is impossible.

In 1876, Franz Overbeck married Ida Rothpletz, and for one year was Rector of the University of Basel.

Franz Overbeck continued to visit Nietzsche until the latter's death in 1900.

Franz Overbeck refused to cooperate with Elisabeth Forster-Nietzsche and her Nietzsche-Archiv and, mostly in private notes and letters, accused her of misinterpreting Nietzsche.

Franz Overbeck refused to give her his correspondence with Nietzsche - which turned out to be right, as she would forge other correspondents' letters.

Since c 1980, interest in Overbeck has grown, at least in German academic circles, as is shown by the increasing number of publications in that country.