Baur, Ferdinand Christian (1792–1860)

German Protestant theologian who founded the Tübingen School of biblical criticism in 1835–47. As professor of theology at Tübingen University, he was influenced by the writings of Georg Hegel, applying Hegel's philosophy of history (the Hegelian dialectic) to theology. His writings, such as Paulus, der Apostel Jesu Christi/Paul, the Apostle of Jesus Christ , 1845, and Symbolik und Mythologie oder die Naturreligion des Altertums/Symbolism and Mythology, or the Nature religion of Antiquity, 1825, are on theological and mythological subjects.

Baur was born near Stuttgart, and became professor at the theological seminary at Blaubeuren in 1825. His other works include Das manichäische Religionssystem, 1831, and Apollonius von Tyana, 1832.