Herbert Haag

Herbert Haag: A Theologian Who Dared to Question

Herbert Haag, a Swiss Roman Catholic theologian and biblical scholar of German descent, was born on February 11, 1915, in Singen am Hohentwiel. His life, which concluded on August 23, 2001, was marked by a relentless pursuit of truth and a willingness to challenge established doctrines. He wasn't merely a scholar; he was a force, a mind that refused to be shackled by tradition when faced with what he perceived as inconsistencies or, frankly, absurdities.

His early intellectual journey began with theological studies in Paris, undertaken for the diocese of Basel. By 1940, he had been ordained a priest, a path that led him to several years of pastoral work in Lucerne. However, the confines of parish life eventually gave way to deeper academic pursuits. In 1942, Haag earned his PhD from the University of Fribourg, a testament to his burgeoning scholarly prowess.

The subsequent decades saw Haag ascend through academic ranks, shaping the minds of future theologians. From 1948 to 1960, he lent his expertise to Old Testament studies at the Theological Faculty of Lucerne. This was followed by a significant move to the University of Tübingen in 1960, where he held the prestigious chair of Old Testament at its Catholic Theological Faculty until his retirement in 1980. His tenure there was not just about teaching; it was about fostering critical thinking, a skill that, in his hands, could be both illuminating and, to some, rather inconvenient.

Haag’s reputation was firmly established through his meticulous biblical scholarship and insightful exegesis. He was instrumental in editing a widely respected Bible dictionary, a work that, like much of his output, sought to bring clarity and scholarly rigor to complex texts. However, it was his 1969 book, Farewell to the Devil, that truly ignited controversy. In it, Haag presented what was arguably the first significant Catholic denial in the modern era of the devil as an essential tenet of the Christian faith. He posited that the concept of the devil was more of a relic, an inheritance from Judaism and paganism, embedded within a specific cultural frame, rather than a fundamental theological reality.

This assertion, predictably, did not sit well with everyone. Then Cardinal Ratzinger was among those who voiced criticism. The Vatican, through a rescript from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1972, under Pope Paul VI, officially declared Haag's theological position on the devil to be erroneous. It was a stark reminder that questioning certain established dogmas within the Church carried significant weight.

But Haag’s intellectual curiosity and critical spirit didn't stop at the infernal. He continued to scrutinize other dogmas, including original sin, apostolic succession, the Church's stance on homosexuality, the celibacy of the clergy, and the prohibition of the ordination of women. He viewed these not as immutable truths but as subjects open to re-examination, often finding them to be more products of historical and cultural conditioning than divine revelation. In his later years, he became an increasingly vocal critic of the institutional Church, lamenting its rigidity and perceived disconnect from the realities of modern life.

His commitment to intellectual freedom extended beyond his own scholarship. In 1981, Haag was a signatory to an open letter published in Swiss newspapers, arguing that Hans Küng had been unfairly treated in 1979. The Vatican's decree stripping Küng of his recognition as a Catholic theologian, due to his questioning of papal infallibility, was seen by Haag and others as a grave injustice. This advocacy for intellectual dissent and freedom within the Church ultimately led to the establishment of the Herbert Haag Foundation for Freedom in the Church in 1985. This foundation, a lasting legacy, continues to award the Herbert Haag Prize, recognizing those who champion similar ideals.

Herbert Haag passed away in Lucerne at the venerable age of 86. His life was a testament to the power of critical inquiry, a reminder that faith and reason are not mutually exclusive, and that sometimes, the most profound service one can offer is to ask the difficult questions, even when the answers are uncomfortable.

Works

Haag’s prolific output reflects the breadth and depth of his intellectual engagement. His contributions span dictionaries, theological treatises, and critical analyses of doctrine.

As editor, he helmed the second edition of the Bibel-Lexikon (Bible Dictionary), published by Benziger in Einsiedeln and Zurich in 1968. This work, intended to provide scholarly insight into biblical texts, aimed to equip readers with a more nuanced understanding.
His Biblische Schöpfungslehre und kirchliche Erbsündenlehre (Biblical Doctrine of Creation and the Church's Doctrine of Original Sin), part of the Stuttgarter Bibelstudien series, was published by Katholisches Bibelwerk in Stuttgart in 1966. It saw a fourth edition in 1968, indicating its sustained relevance. This work laid the groundwork for his later exploration of original sin.
He is also credited with Is Original Sin in Scripture?, published by Sheed and Ward in 1969, bearing the ISBN 978-0-8362-0250-2. This book directly challenged the traditional understanding of original sin, a cornerstone of Catholic theology, questioning its scriptural basis and suggesting it was more of a theological construct than a literal event.
Der Gottesknecht bei Deuterojesaja (The Suffering Servant in Deutero-Isaiah), a significant work in German, was published by Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft in Darmstadt in 1985. Its ISBN is 3-534-09045-4, and it carries the OCLC number 14351323. This delves into a pivotal figure in Isaiah, exploring interpretations of this prophetic servant.
Co-authored with Katharina Elliger, Stört nicht die Liebe: die Diskriminierung der Sexualität: ein Verrat an der Bibel (Do Not Disturb Love: The Discrimination of Sexuality: A Betrayal of the Bible) was published by Walter-Verlag in Olten in 1986. With ISBN 3-530-30101-9 and OCLC 16357476, this work directly confronted the Church's restrictive views on sexuality, arguing they contradicted the core message of love found in the Bible.
His book Abschied vom Teufel. Vom christlichen Umgang mit dem Bösen (Farewell to the Devil. On the Christian Approach to Evil), published in Düsseldorf in 2000, reiterated his controversial stance on the devil. It bears the ISBN 978-3-545-70016-1 and OCLC 845369664. The note {{[cite book](/Template:Cite_book)}} : CS1 maint: location missing publisher ([link](/Category:CS1_maint:_location_missing_publisher)) suggests a minor detail regarding its publication location.
Also in 2000, Nur wer sich ändert, bleibt sich treu: für eine neue Verfassung der katholischen Kirche (Only Those Who Change Remain True to Themselves: For a New Constitution of the Catholic Church) was released by Herder in Freiburg. With ISBN 3-451-26891-4 and OCLC 46380504, this book clearly outlines his vision for a reformed Catholic Church, advocating for structural changes to make it more responsive and adaptable. It also includes Perlentaucher-Links, likely pointing to further online discussions or reviews in German.

Awards

Haag’s contributions, though often controversial, were recognized. He received the Prix Courage in 2000 and the Pin of Lucerne in 2001, accolades that acknowledged his courage and commitment to his principles.

Herbert Haag

Works

Awards

See also