Balthasar Bekker
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| - | | 1691-1693||[[Balthasar Bekker]]||[[De betoverde wereld]] | + | '''Balthasar Bekker''' (20 March 1634 – 11 June 1698) was a Dutch minister and author of philosophical and theological works. Opposing [[superstition]], he was a key figure in the end of the [[witchcraft]] persecutions in [[early modern Europe]]. |
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| + | ==Life== | ||
| + | Bekker was born in [[Metslawier]] ([[Dongeradeel]]) as the son of a German pastor from [[Bielefeld]]. He was educated at [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]], under [[Jacob Alting]], and at [[Franeker]]. Becoming the rector of the local [[Latin school]], he was appointed to his satisfaction in 1657 as a pastor in Oosterlittens ([[Littenseradiel]]), and started as one of the first to preach on Sunday afternoon. | ||
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| + | From 1679 he worked in [[Amsterdam]], after being driven from [[Friesland]]. In 1683 he traveled to England and France. In two months time Bekker visited London, Cambridge, Oxford, Paris and [[Leuven]], with a great interest in the art of [[fortification]]. | ||
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| + | ==Controversy over ''Die Betooverde Wereld''== | ||
| + | The publication of ''Die Betooverde Wereld'' in 1691 led to Bekker's deposition from the ministry. The orthodox among Dutch theologians saw his views as placing him among notorious atheists: [[Thomas Hobbes]], [[Adriaan Koerbagh]], [[Lodewijk Meyer]] and [[Baruch Spinoza]]. [[Eric Walten]] came to his defence, attacking his opponents in extreme terms. | ||
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| + | Bekker was tried for blasphemy, maligning the public Church, and spreading atheistic ideas about Scripture. Some towns banned the book, but Amsterdam and the States of Holland never did, continuing his salary, without formally stripping him of his post. He died in Amsterdam. | ||
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| + | ==Later life== | ||
| + | In July 1698 he was elected a [[Fellow of the Royal Society]] of London. | ||
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| + | == Works == | ||
| + | An enthusiastic disciple of [[René Descartes|Descartes]], he wrote several works in philosophy and theology, which by their freedom of thought aroused considerable hostility. In his book ''De Philosophia Cartesiana'' Bekker argued that theology and philosophy each had their separate terrain and that Nature can no more be explained through Scripture than can theological truth be deduced from Nature. | ||
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| + | His best known work was ''Die Betooverde Wereld'' (1691), or ''The World Bewitched'' (1695), in which he examined critically the phenomena generally ascribed to spiritual agency. He attacked the belief in sorcery and [[demonic possession|"possession" by the devil]]. Indeed he questioned the devil's very existence. He applied the doctrine of [[accommodation (religion)|accommodation]] to account for the biblical passages traditionally cited on the issue. | ||
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| + | The book had a sensational effect and was one of the key works of the Early [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] in Europe. It was almost certainly the most controversial. Bekker became a heroic figure defying an army of obscurantists. ''The World Bewitched'' is now considered interesting as an early study in comparative religion. | ||
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| + | Publications: | ||
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| + | * De philosophia Cartesiana admonitio candida & sincera. Bekker, Balth. / Vesaliae / 1668 | ||
| + | * The world bewitch'd; or, An examination of the common opinions concerning spirits: their nature, power, administration, and operations. As also, the effects men are able to produce by their communication. Divided into IV parts; Bekker, Balthasar / Translated from a French copy, approved of and subscribed by the author's own hand / printed for R. Baldwin in Warwick-lane / 1695 | ||
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Revision as of 10:54, 1 November 2011
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Balthasar Bekker (20 March 1634 – 11 June 1698) was a Dutch minister and author of philosophical and theological works. Opposing superstition, he was a key figure in the end of the witchcraft persecutions in early modern Europe.
Contents |
Life
Bekker was born in Metslawier (Dongeradeel) as the son of a German pastor from Bielefeld. He was educated at Groningen, under Jacob Alting, and at Franeker. Becoming the rector of the local Latin school, he was appointed to his satisfaction in 1657 as a pastor in Oosterlittens (Littenseradiel), and started as one of the first to preach on Sunday afternoon.
From 1679 he worked in Amsterdam, after being driven from Friesland. In 1683 he traveled to England and France. In two months time Bekker visited London, Cambridge, Oxford, Paris and Leuven, with a great interest in the art of fortification.
Controversy over Die Betooverde Wereld
The publication of Die Betooverde Wereld in 1691 led to Bekker's deposition from the ministry. The orthodox among Dutch theologians saw his views as placing him among notorious atheists: Thomas Hobbes, Adriaan Koerbagh, Lodewijk Meyer and Baruch Spinoza. Eric Walten came to his defence, attacking his opponents in extreme terms.
Bekker was tried for blasphemy, maligning the public Church, and spreading atheistic ideas about Scripture. Some towns banned the book, but Amsterdam and the States of Holland never did, continuing his salary, without formally stripping him of his post. He died in Amsterdam.
Later life
In July 1698 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London.
Works
An enthusiastic disciple of Descartes, he wrote several works in philosophy and theology, which by their freedom of thought aroused considerable hostility. In his book De Philosophia Cartesiana Bekker argued that theology and philosophy each had their separate terrain and that Nature can no more be explained through Scripture than can theological truth be deduced from Nature.
His best known work was Die Betooverde Wereld (1691), or The World Bewitched (1695), in which he examined critically the phenomena generally ascribed to spiritual agency. He attacked the belief in sorcery and "possession" by the devil. Indeed he questioned the devil's very existence. He applied the doctrine of accommodation to account for the biblical passages traditionally cited on the issue.
The book had a sensational effect and was one of the key works of the Early Enlightenment in Europe. It was almost certainly the most controversial. Bekker became a heroic figure defying an army of obscurantists. The World Bewitched is now considered interesting as an early study in comparative religion.
Publications:
- De philosophia Cartesiana admonitio candida & sincera. Bekker, Balth. / Vesaliae / 1668
- The world bewitch'd; or, An examination of the common opinions concerning spirits: their nature, power, administration, and operations. As also, the effects men are able to produce by their communication. Divided into IV parts; Bekker, Balthasar / Translated from a French copy, approved of and subscribed by the author's own hand / printed for R. Baldwin in Warwick-lane / 1695
