Ammon, Christoph Friedrich Von

Ammon, Christoph Friedrich Von a German theologian, born at Bayreuth, January 16, 1766. He became, in 1789, professor of philosophy in Erlangen; in 1792, professor of theology at the same university; in 1794, professor of theology at Gottingen. In 1804 he was called back to Erlangen, and was at the same time appointed superintendent and consistorial councillor at Ansbach. In 1813 he was called as chief court-preacher (Oberhofprediger) and chief consistorial councillor to Dresden. In 1831 he became a member of the state council of Saxony, and of the ministry of worship and public instruction, and, subsequently, vice-president of the supreme consistory. He resigned in 1849, and died at Dresden on May 21, 1850. He is chiefly known by his work on the Development of Christianity as a Universal Religion (Fortbildung d. Christenthums ur Weltreligion, 4 vols. Leip. 1833-1840), in which he argues in favor of such a development of doctrine as may keep theology in harmony with the progress of science. Ammon was a leader of the Rationalist school. He was a man of extensive learning, and a copious author. Among his writings are Geschchte d. fomi'etik (Gott. 1804); Kanzelberedtsamikeit (1799 and 1812, 8vo); Opuscula Theologica (2 vols. 1793, 1803); Bibl. Theologi , (2d ed. 1801-2, 8vo Isaiah 8vo); Summa Theologica (3d ed. 1816); Christologie (Erl. 1794, 8vo); besides many minor works. He was regarded as one of the first pulpit orators of Germany, and is the author of many volumes of sermons. He also edited the Magazinffir christliche Prediger (Magazine for Christian preachers, Hanover, 1816-21, 6 vols.). A biographical sketch of Ammon is given in the pamphlet "Christoph Friedrich von Ammon nach Leben, Ansichten und Wirken" (Leipsic, 1850). See also Bibliotheca Sacra, 10, 244. — Winer, Theol. Literatur.