Philipp Jakob Spener

SPENER, Philipp Jakob. b. Rappoltsweiler, near Colmar, 13 January 1635; d. Berlin, 5 February 1705. He was educated at the University of Strasbourg (MA 1653), becoming a private tutor and companion for some years. He was General Preacher at Strasbourg (1663-66), pastor at St Paul’s Church, Frankfurt am Main (the ‘Barfüßerkirche’, or barefoot church) (1666-86), senior court preacher at Dresden (1681-90), and provost of St Nicholas’ Church, Berlin (1691-1704). Spener was famous in his time as a reformer of morals, and an outstanding preacher, whose attempts to reform the Lutheran church were part of his general commitment to the devotional life. During his time at Frankfurt he instituted...