Famous Swiss Theologians

Swiss theologian Karl Barth is best remembered for his iconic work The Epistle to the Romans. His opposition to the German National Socialism got him suspended as a professor at the University of Bonn. Along with Eduard Thurneysen, he revolutionized Protestant ideals. He also delivered sermons to prisoners in Basel.

Catholic theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar was one of the chief figures behind the formation of the Community of St. John. He also co-launched the Catholic journal Communio and penned numerous books on themes such as classical literature. Declared a cardinal, he died shortly before his investiture.

One of the best Latin poets of his time, Theodore Beza soared to fame with his poetry collection Juvenilia. He later adopted Calvinism and succeeded John Calvin as the main spiritual leader of the Republic of Geneva. He is remembered as a major force behind the spread of Calvinism in Europe.

Swiss reformer Heinrich Bullinger is remembered for his role in the spread of Zwinglianism, or the teachings of reformer Huldrych Zwingli. He later succeeded Zwingli in Zurich. He also played a major role in the First and Second Helvetic Confession and in bringing about the Reformed tradition.

Best known for his research on physiognomy, Johann Kaspar Lavater was also a theologian and an author. He had penned books such as Aussichten in die Ewigkeit and several epic and lyric poems. He died of a grenade wound during the French occupation of Switzerland.

Swiss-American theologian Philip Schaff is remembered for his works such as The Creeds of Christendom. He believed that the positive aspects of both Roman Catholicism and Protestantism could be blended into an ecumenical form of spirituality. He later founded and headed the American Society of Church History.

While he initially studied theology, the 1544 plague drove him to study medicine, too. He is said to have been a pioneer of Erastianism, a union between the church and the state. In his writings, he also often opposed philosopher Paracelsus and his views.

Papal theologian and Catholic cardinal Georges Cottier had initially taught at the Universities of Geneva and Fribourg. He was also part of the Second Vatican Council and had led the International Theological Commission as its secretary. He retired at age 83 and passed away a decade later.

Catholic cardinal Gilberto Agustoni initially studied theology in Rome but later moved to Fribourg due to World War II. He had served as part of the Roman Curia, had been the Secretary of the Congregation for the Clergy, and was named as part of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

French-Swiss theologian Alexandre Vinet was a major figure of the Protestant Reformation in the French-speaking regions of Switzerland. While he initially taught French and theology at the universities of Basel and Lausanne, he later spoke against religious dogma and supported the separation of church and the state.

Swiss Reformed theologian Emil Brunner was an important figure of the theological movement known as neo-orthodoxy. While he taught theology at the University of Zürich, he also lectured on tours all over the world and, in his later years, worked in Tokyo. He often disagreed with neo-orthodox figure Karl Barth.

One of the greatest literary critics of the 18th century, Swiss-German author Johann Jakob Breitinger was best known for his collaborations with author and academic Johann Jakob Bodmer. A well-known professor and philologist, he is remembered chiefly for his work Critische Dichtkunst. He also founded the journal Discourse der Mahlern.

Swiss philosopher and theologian Jean-Pierre de Crousaz had been a professor of math and philosophy at the University of Lausanne and had also served as its rector 4 times. He is best remembered for his works such as Treatise on Beauty and his critique of Pope’s Essay on Man.

One of the most famous French-speaking reformers of the 16th century, Swiss-born Pierre Viret earned the nickname The Smile of the Reformation for his gripping preaching during the Protestant Reformation. He also set up a Reformed Academy in Lausanne, which was later relocated to Geneva.

Swiss-German theologian Johann Jakob Herzog didn’t just teach church history and New Testament exegesis, but also rose as a major figure of Protestantism. He is chiefly remembered for his iconic work The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge. His writings covered the Reformation and its history.