Biography

Johann Adam Möehler was born in Germany in 1796. He studied philosophy and theology. He entered the priesthood in 1819. His interest was in comparative studies of Catholicism and Protestantism. He learned many of the church fathers, leaders of the Protestant Reformation, and their teachings. Möehler wrote several works, including Symbolism, or Exposition of Doctrinal Differences between Catholics and Protestants, as Evidenced by their Symbolical Writings (1843), and Unity in the Church, or, The Principles of Catholicism: Presented in the Spirit of the Church Fathers of the First Three Centuries. Some controversies arose from his writings, as some viewed Möhler's works as an attack on Protestantism. Priest, professor, author, theologian, and dean were all titles held by Möehler before his death at a rather young age in 1838.

Wailand Groenendyk
CCEL Staff Writer