Krafft, Johann Christian Uottlob Ludwig

Krafft, Johann Christian Uottlob Ludwig the modern reformer of the Protestant Church in Bavaria, was born at Duisburg Dec. 12,1784. He studied first at Duisburg, where he fell temporarily under the influence of infidelity. He then spent five years as private tutor at Frankfort-on-the-Main, and this period was of great spiritual regeneration to him, though he did not succeed in allaying all his doubts. In October, 1808, he became pastor of the Reformed congregation at Weeze, near Cleve. He still felt dissatisfied, however, and continued to search the Scriptures. In 1817 he became pastor of the German Reformed congregation at Erlangen, and professor in the university in 1818. By this time his convictions had become settled, and he a firm Biblical supernaturalist. The last period of his spiritual development, his conversion, took place, according to his own account, in the spring of 1821. He died May 15, 1845. Without being gifted with very brilliant talents or especial eloquence, Krafft, by his earnest practical faith, and his uncommon energy, can be said to have awakened the Protestant Church of Bavaria from the lethargic sleep into which it had fallen under the influence of ultra rationalism. He took great part in the progress of home missions, and was the fiunder of an institution for the daughters of the poor. He wrote De servo et libero arbitrio (Nuremb. 1818):Seven Sermons on Isaiah liii, and four on 1 Corinthians i, 30; Jahrgang: Predigten ii.fireie Texte (Erlang. 1828, 1832, 1845). After his death Dr. Burger published his Chronologie u. Iarmonie d. vier E:vacngelien (Erlangen, 1848). — Herzog, Real-Encyklopdaie, vol. 8:s.v. (J. N. P.)