RELIGIOUS ENCYCLOPEDIA
Moehler Moerikofer
genreformation, ed., G. Kawerau, 1894, 3d ed., 1907. These new editions of vols. i. and ii. render partly obsolete the Eng. transl., London, 1892- 1893, but not so much as that of vol. iii., 1900) which unites a lucid representation with a continual reference to sources. He also revised De Wette's commentaries on Galatians and Thessalonians (1864) and on the Pastoral Epistles and the Epistle to the Hebrews (1867). (G. Kawerau).
Bibliography: ZKG, xiii (1892), 484 sqq.
MOELLER, JOHANN FRIEDRICH: German Lutheran theologian; b. at Erfurt Nov. 13, 1789; d. at Magdeburg Apr. 20, 1861. He was educated at the gymnasium in Erfurt and the University of Gottingen. In 1814 he became teacher of catechetics and methods at the teachers' seminary of Erfurt, in the following year also deacon of the Barfiisser-Kirche, in 1829 regular pastor, in 1831 senior of the Evangelical ministry, and in 1832 councilor of the consistory. By the publication of religious poems, Christengliick und Christenwandel in religiosen Gesangen (Erfurt, 1817), he attracted the attention of Claus Harms (q.v.) with whom he came into personal relation. His activity at Erfurt, though successful, was hampered by the hostile attitude of the so-called Old Lutherans, who resisted all attempts at conformity with the Prussian Union. In 1843 he was appointed general superintendent of Magdeburg, and here, too, had to face struggles with rationalistic elements such as the Friends of Light (q.v.), and with the ecclesiastical administration of the province. His failing health compelled him in 1857 to lay down his office as general superintendent, but he still remained for some time first preacher of the cathedral church in Magdeburg. During his activity at Erfurt, in the interest of religious instruction in the public schools, he published Ueber die erste Behandlung des Religionsunterrichts in den unteren Klassen der Volksschule, i., Die eigentliche Gotteslehre (Erfurt, 1824); and Unterlagen der Gotteserkenntnis in der christlichen Volksschule (2 ed., 1836). Other publications, prompted by the same tendency, are : Leitfaden und Spruchbuch zum Konfirmandenunterricht nach dem Katechismus Luthers (Magdeburg, 1850); Handreichung der Kirche an die Schule zum Eingang in die heiligen zehn Gebote Gottes (1850); Katechetisch-evangelische Unterweisung in den heiligen zehn Geboten Gottes nach dem Katechismus Lutheri (1854). His first collection of spiritual poems was followed by Der christliche Glaube und das christliche Leben; geistliche Lieder und Gesdnge fur Kirche, Schule, und Haus (Erfurt, 1822) from which Harms made a number of selections for his hymn-book; toward the close of his life Moller published another collection, Geistliche Dichtungen und Gesange auf Unterlage der heiligen Schrift (Magdeburg, 1852). (W. MoLLERf.)
MOELLER, LARS OTTO: Danish pastor and author; b. in Taarup parish, Denmark, Feb. 20, 1831. He received his education at Horsens' Skole (B.A., 1852), and at the University of Copenhagen (candidate in theology, 1858); became chaplain at Gylling in 1860, and provost in 1870. He is justly
renowned for his original contributions to Danish theology, grounded in the school of Nicolai Grundtvig (q.v.), but original and independent and opposed to the " new Grundtvig school." His chief work is Genlosningen eller Jesu Christi Liv, Dod og Opstandelse til Verdens Frelse (1884). In defense of Grundtvig's ideas he has written Smaabidrag til at oplyse den kirkelige Anskuelses Berettigelse (1866); Det faldne Menneskes Genfodelse og Fornyelse ved Daab og Nadver (2d ed., 1872); Det gjenoprejste Menneskes Tjeneste i Ordets Forkyndelse og Bekendelse (1877). Other works are: Til Forstaaelse og Bedommelse af Nutidens Frit&nkeri (1881; a vigorous attack on infidelity); Den kristelige Vished eller Troens fulde Forvisning (1892); Noget om Determinisme og Frihed (1893). His attitude to the New Testament is shown in: Den Evangeliske Historie eller Herrens Liv paa Jorden (2d ed., 1892); Forsog til en kort Forklaring over St. J oh. Aabenbaring (1888); and to the Old Testament in: En Opdrager til Christus for dem "somikke have Loven"; En Betragtning af de 10 Buds Forhold til Hedningernes Sandhedslov . . (1899); Nogle Stottepunkter under Bedommelsen af det gl. Test. (1893). His ability as a preacher was made known to wide circles by Fra Gylling Kirke. En Aargang Pr&dikener (1899).
John O. Evjen.
MOERIKOFER, mrjr"i-kef'er, JOHANN KAS- PAR: Swiss Protestant; b. at Frauenfeld (22 m. n.e. of Zurich) Oct. 11, 1799; d. at Riesbach (a village near Zurich) Oct. 17, 1877. After the completion of his theological education in Zurich in 1822 he was a teacher and gymnasial director in his native city for many years, but in 1851 was called to the pastorate of the church at Gottlieben, in the vicinity of Constance. In 1869 he retired from active life, living first at Winterthur and later at Zurich, receiving honorary citizenship from the latter. He actively promoted an institution founded in 1845 at Bernrain for the education of the poor, acted as a member of the cantonal synod, dean of the Steckborn chapter, president of the cantonal Gesellschaft zur Beforderung des Guten und Gemeinnutzigen, and was one of the founders of the historical society of his canton of Torgau and contributed much to its journal. With equal versatility he sought to preserve the scientific and artistic treasures of the Torgau monasteries suppressed in 1848, and wrote: Die schweizerische Mundart im Verhaltniss zur hochdeutschen Schriftsprache (1838). The significance of these interests, however, was overshadowed by his Die schweizerische Litteratur des achtzehnten Jahrhunderts (Leipsic, 1861) and by the theme which had attracted him even as a student in 1819— the history of the Reformation in Switzerland. After a preliminary Bilder aus dem kirchlichen Leben der Schweiz (Leipsic, 1861), he published the first comprehensive biography of the Swiss Reformer in his Ulrich Zwingli nach den urkundlichen Quellen (2 vols., 1867-69); and also wrote J. J. Breitinger und Zurich (1873); and Geschichte der evangelischen Fluchtlinge in der Schweiz (1876). (G. Meyer von Knonau.)
Bibliography: Autobiographio material, ed. H. G. Sulzberger, appeared in Thurgauischen Beitrage zur vaterlandischen Geschichte, heft xxv., pp. 2-155; ADB, xxii. 260.
Moerlin