Callenberg, Johann Heinrich

CALLENBERG, cɑ̄l´len-berH, JOHANN HEINRICH: German theologian; b. at Molschleben (a village of Gotha) Jan. 12, 1694; d. at Halle July 16, 1760. He was educated at Halle, where in 1727 he was appointed associate professor of philology, becoming full professor in 1735 and being transferred to the faculty of theology four years later. His deep interest in Protestant missions among the Jews and Mohammedans of the East led him, in 1728, to found the Institutum Judaicum for the education of missionaries. To this institution, which lasted until 1791 and was instrumental in the conversion of a large number of Jews, he later attached, at his own expense, a press for the promotion of the cause. Europe, as well as parts of Asia and Africa, was traversed by his pupils, for whom he printed Arabic translations of portions of the Old Testament, the whole of the New Testament, "The Imitation of Christ," and other works. His propaganda among the Mohammedans, however, met with little success. His independent works, which are of minor importance, include: Kurze Anleitung zur jüdisch-teutschen Sprache (Halle, 1733); Berichte von einem Versuch das jüdische Volk 350zur Erkenntniss des Christlichen anzuleiten (3 vols., 1728–36); and De conversione Muhammedanorum ad Christum expetita tentaque (1733).

Bibliography: J. M. H. Doering, Die gelehrten Theologen Deutschlands, i. 221 sqq., Neustadt, 1831; J. C. F. Hoefer, Nouvelle Biographie générale, vii 202. 46 vols., Paris, 1851–66.