HARNACK, THEODOSIUS: German theologian; b. at St. Petersburg Jan. 3, 1817; d. at Dorpat Sept. 23, 1889. In 1834 he entered the University of Dorpat and pursued the study of theology under the prevailing conservative influences. In 1837 he left Dorpat and, after living for some time as tutor in the family of a Livonian nobleman, finished his studies at Berlin, Bonn, and Erlangen. Returning to Dorpat, he became extraordinary professor of practical theology in 1847 and ordinary professor in the following year. His adherence to the confessional standpoint appeared in his Grundbekenntniase der evaragelisch-lutherischen Kirche (Dorpat, 1845), a work which reveals depth of insight, skill in the elaboration of a thesis, and a style of exposition which was always attractive and often fascinating. Besides the professorship in systematic theology for which he exchanged his earlier chair, he held, after 1847, the post of university preacher. He presided over a committee of the synod of Livonia entrusted with the task of gathering material for the elaboration and improvement of the liturgy of the province, and his Lriturgische Formulare für die evangelische Kirche in Rusaland (2 vols., Dorpat, 18774) was made the basis of subsequent revisions in 1885 and in 1898. He took an active part in the conflict between the orthodox clergy and the Moravians, publishing against them Die lutherische Kirche Livlandsand die herrnhutische Brudergemeinde (Erlangen, 1860). In 1853 Harnack was called to Erlangen, where he published in 1862 the first volume of his Luthers Theologiemit besonderer Beziehung auf seine Veraohnungs- and Erloaurcgslehre. In 1866 he returned to Dorpat, but retired from active duty in 1875. In the quiet of his last years he produced the greatest of his works, Praktische Theologie (Erlangen, 1877), supplemented by the Katechetik- and Katechismus-Erkldrung (Erlangen, 1882). He contributed articles on liturgical subjects and pastoral theology to Zöckler's Handbuch der theologischen Wissenschoften, and entered into the discussion of modern problems with Ueber den Kanon und die Inspiration der heiligen Schrift (Dorpat, 1885). He published a second volume on Luther's doctrine (Leipsic, 1886), which was his last production; in this he took occasion to express his dissent from the latest theological developments. In addition to the books mentioned he published Der christliche Gemeindegottesdienst im apostolischenand altkatholischen Zeitalxer (Dorpat, 1854); Die Union und ihre neuester Vertreter (Erlangen, 1855); Der kleineKatechismusM. Luthers (Stuttgart, 1856);and Die Kirche, ihr Amt and Regiment (Nilremberg, 1862). He was the father of Adolf Harnack (q.v.).

(F. Hoexacarltaarrnt.)