Thomas Schirrmacher

Curriculum vitae

Thomas Schirrmacher

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Academic Education and Degrees

  • 1966 to 1969: Georg-Büchner-Schule Giessen (elementary school)
  • 1969 to 1978: Humanistisches Landgraf-Ludwig-Gymnasium Giessen (humanistic highschool with Greek and Latin)
  • 1978: Abitur (final highschool examination) at Landgraf-Ludwig-Schule Giessen
  • 1978 to 1982: Study of Theology at Freie Evangelisch-Theologische Akademie Basel (Switzerland) (FETA, Free Protestant University)
  • 1982: lic. theol. (Pfarrer; equivalent to M. Th.) at Freie Evangelisch-Theologische Akademie Basel (Switzerland) with a thesis Das Mißverständnis des Emil Brunner: Emil Brunners Bibliologie als Grund für das Scheitern seiner  Ekklesiologie (on the ecclesiology of Emil Brunner) (published)
  • 1982 to 1985: Study of Theology at the Theologische Hogeschool van de Gereformeerde Kerken in Kampen (Netherlands) (stateapproved theological faculty)
  • 1984: Drs. theol. (Major: Science of Mission; Minor: Ecumenical Theology; Systematic Theology) at the Theologische Hogeschool van de Gereformeerde Kerken in Kampen (Netherlands)
  • 1985 Dr. theol. (Theology, especially Ecumenical Theology and Science of Mission) at Johannes Calvijn-Stichting of the Theologische Universität van de Gereformeerde Kerken in Kampen (Netherlands) with a dissertation Theodor Christlieb und seine Missionstheologie (published)
  • 1982 to 1986: Study of Comparative Religions, Cultural Anthropology, American Studies, German Studies and Science of Folklore at the Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn (state university of Bonn).
  • 1987 to 1990: Postgraduate Studies of Cultural Anthropology at Pacific Western University, Los Angeles (CA, USA)
  • 1990: Ph. D. in Cultural Anthropology at Pacific Western University, Los Angeles (CA, USA) with a dissertation Hans Naumann als Volkskundler unter dem Nationalsozialismus (the study of folklore and the culture of the lower class 1919-1945) (published in 2 volumes)
  • 1996: Th. D. in Ethics at Whitefield Theological Seminary, Lakeland (FL, USA) with a dissertation Ethik: The Major 50 Topics of a Protestant Ethics in Discussion (published in 2 volumes).
  • 1997: D.D. (honorary doctorate), Cranmer Theological House, Shreveport (LA, USA)
  • 2006: D.D. (honorary doctorate), ACTS University, Bangalore (India), for 20 years of helping to combine university education with social programmes in India
  • 2007: Dr. phil. (summa cum laude) in Comparative Religions at State University of Bonn with a dissertation on the Third Reich Hitlers Kriegsreligion (published in 2 volumes)

Academic teaching and research

  • 1983 to 1990: Lecturer in the Science of Mission and the Science of Comparative Religions at the Freie Theologische Akademie Giessen (German Theological Seminary)
  • 1984 to 1989: Lecturer in the Science of Mission and the Science of Comparative Religions, Old Testament Exegesis and Ethics at Bibelseminar Wuppertal der Evangelischen Gesellschaft für Deutschland (Biblical Seminary Wuppertal of the Evangelical Society of Germany)
  • 1984 bis 2008: Director of the Institut für Weltmission und Gemeindebau (German Center for World Mission)
  • 1986-2002: Director of Theologischer Fernunterrichts (Theological Education by Extension Germany), 1991 renamed to Academic Director of Theologischer Fernunterrichts (Theological Education by Extension Germany) of Neues Leben-Seminars, Altenkirchen (New-Life-Seminary)
  • 1990 to 1994: Member of doctoral committee of William Carey International University, Pasadena (USA)
  • 1991 to 1996: Lecturer of the Science of Missions, Comparative Religions and Ethics at Staatsunabhängige Theologische Hochschule Basel (Switzerland) (STH, Independent Theological University)
  • 1991 to 1996: Responsible for the Th.D. committee and promotor in the subjects of the Science of Missions, Comparative Religions, Cultural Anthropology and related subjects at Staatsunabhängige Theologische Hochschule Basel (Switzerland) (STH, Independent Theological University) and its postgraduate studies programme in Geneva (Switzerland)
  • 1994-1998: Professor of Missions, Philadelphia Theological Seminary, Philadelphia (PA, USA) (Anglican)
  • since 1996: Professor of Systematic Theology (Ethics and Apologetics) and of Missiology, Whitefield Theological Seminary, Lakeland (FL, USA)
  • 1996-2000: Professor of Ethics and Missions and Director of European extension, Cranmer Theological House, Shreveport (LA, USA)
  • since 1996: President and Professor of Systematic Theology (Ethics and Apologetics) and of Comparative Religions, Martin Bucer European Theological Seminary and Research Institutes (Bonn, Berlin, Bielefeld, Chemnitz, Hamburg, Pforzheim, Zürich, Innsbruck, Linz, Prag, Zlin, Ankara, Istanbul)
  • 1999-2005: Lecturer in Business Ethics, Akademie für christliche Führungskräfte, Gummersbach (Germany)
  • since 2000: Lecturer in Systematic Theology (Dogmatics and Ethics), German Theological Seminary [Freie Theologische Akademie], Giessen (Germany)
  • 2000-2003: Acting Head of Department of Systematic Theology, German Theological Seminary [Freie Theologische Akademie], Giessen (Germany)
  • 2000-2008: Professor of International Development, William Carey University (Bangalore, India)
  • 2001-2004: Vicepresident of Academic Affairs, Continental Net University (Bangalore/New York/Zürich)
  • since 2004: Academic Director of the Institut for Life- and Family Science, Bonn
  • since 2005: Director of the International Institute for Religious Freedom (Bonn, Cape Town, Colombo)
  • since 2006: Professor of the Sociology of Religion, State University of Oardea (Romania)
  • since 2009: Distinguished Professor of Global Ethics and International Development, William Carey University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India

Pastor and church offices

  • 1982 to 1984: Pastor of Evangelische Gesellschaft für Deutschland (Evangelical Society of Germany) in Bonn
  • 1984 to 1986: Pastor of Evangelische Gesellschaft für Deutschland in Erftstadt/Eifel in a church planting ministry
  • 1992-1997: Halftime in Freie Evangelische Gemeinde Bonn (Evangelical Free Church Bonn) and director of Evangelism of the Evangelical Alliance of Bonn
  • 1994-2001: Speaker/Manager of the Evangelical Alliance Bonn
  • 1997-2000: Pfarrer (pastor) of the Freie Reformierte Kirche

Honours

  • 1997 Honorary doctorate: D. D., Cranmer Theological House, Shreveport (LA), USA, for his achievement in alternative curriculum development and for the unity of Christians
  • 2002 named ‚Man of Achievment’ by the International Biographical Center Oxford for his achievements in the area of the ethcis of international development
  • 2006 Honorary doctorate: D. D., ACTS University, Bangalore (Indien), for 20 years of helping to combine university education with social programmes in India
  • 2007 Franz-Delitzsch-Award, Germany, for his dissertation on Hitler
  • 2008 International ProFide Award (Finland) for advocating human rights and religious freedom worldwide, especially for refugees from Iraq
  • 2009 Distinguished Professor of Global Ethics and International Development, William Carey University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India

Business

  • since 1985: Chief editor of Verlag für Kultur und Wissenschaft (Culture and Science Publ.)
  • since 1987: Owner of Verlag für Kultur und Wissenschaft (Culture and Science Publishing) Bonn (publishing academic books on languages, culture, comparative religions, social ethics and missiology – three titels per month)
  • since 2000: Coowner and CEO of Consulting Schirrmacher GbR (business consulting, curriculum development for universities, cultural anthropology, human rights, research on Islam and international politics)
  • since 1995: President of the board, Gebende Hände gGmbH (Giving Hands), International Charity

Author and editor

  • Author and editor of 46 academic and 38 popular books translated into 17 languages. Major work ‘Hope for Europe’ (2002), translated into 16 European languages, in German: ‘Ethics’ (3 vol., 1994, 1st ed., 8 vol. 2009, 4th ed.), ‘Racism’ (2008)
  • Appr. 240 articles
  • 1988 to 1997: Chief Editor of the theological magazine “Bibel und Gemeinde” (bible and church) of the Bibelbund e. V. (bible league)
  • 1983-2003: Chief  Editor of the bioethical-theological magazine “Querschnitte” of Promundis
  • 1993-1999: Co-editor of ‘Contra Mundum: A Reformed Cultural Review’ (USA)
  • 1993-2000: Co-editor: Reflection: An International Reformed Review of Missiology (Netherlands)
  • 1997-2001: Editor: Evangelikale Missiologie, the journal of the ‘Association of German Evangelical Missiologists’ (afem) (co-redakteur since 1992)
  • since 2001 Editor: Jahrbuch des Martin Bucer Seminars (Yearbook of Martin Bucer Seminary)
  • since 2001 Co-Editor: Märtyrer: Jahrbuch für Christenverfolgung heute (Martyrs: Yearbook on the Persecution of Christians today)
  • since 2008 Co-Editor: International Journal for Religious Freedom (Cape Town)
  • sole editor of 3 academic book series
  • chief editor of 3 academic book series
  • co-editor of 6 academic book series

Memberships in scientific associations, honorary positions

  • Fellow of AfeM since 1984, co-editor since 1992, editor 1996-2001
  • Elected fellow of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Missionswissenschaft, since 1990
  • Executive, Board of directors, Kurdish Institute, 1985-1987
  • Board member, Bibelbund, Reiskirchen, Germany, 1985-1998
  • President Institute for Islam and Christianity, Bruchsal, Germany, 1994-1997
  • Speaker ISM Germany, 1987-2000
  • Speaker Evangelical Alliance Bonn, Germany, 1992-2001
  • President ProMundis, Bonn, Germany, since 1996
  • Convenor of the Theological Commission of Hope for Europe (European Evangelical Alliance & Lausanne Europe), since 2000
  • Elected Member, International Commission for Religious Freedom, World Evangelical Alliance, since 2001
  • since 2000: Member of the Commission for Religious Freedom of the World Evangelical Alliance
  • since 2000: Director of the Commission for Religious Freedom of the German and Austrian Evangelical Alliance

Academic expeditions

  • USA (1979; churches of the south)
  • Indonesia (1981; Indonesian Islam; animism)
  • Israel (1984; Jewish Faith; Islam in Jerusalem)
  • Turkey (1986; Turkish Islam)
  • India (1986; Hinduism; Indian Islam, Christian higher education)
  • USA (with Mexico) (1989; USCenter for World Mission; Gospel Recordings)
  • Great Britain (1990; archives and libraries on colonial India and British colonial history; Reformed churches in Scotland)
  • China (1991; Islamic quarter in Peking; Taoism)
  • Tunesia (1992; Islam in French speaking North Africa)
  • Italy and Greece (1993/1994; Catholicism; Biblical Archaeology)
  • Czech Republic (1997; University history; Hussites)
  • Baltic Countries (1997; political and medical situation, postmarxist ethics)
  • Egypt (1999; Islam, Nubians)
  • Turkey (2000/2006; Islam, Human Rights, Orthodox Churches)
  • Malaysia (2001, Islam, Human Rights)
  • Italy (Rome) (2002) (Vaticanarchaeology)
  • Thailand (2003/2006, Buddhism, Human Rights)
  • Uganda (2006; Education for the poor)

Listed in

  • Who’s Who in the World (since, 17/1996, newest 25/2008)
  • International Who is Who of Professionals (1999)
  • EU-Who is Who (2002)
  • Who is Who in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (1998, 2003)
  • 2000 Outstanding People of the 21st Century (2002)
  • 2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century (2002)
  • International Who’s Who in Distance Learning (1998)
  • Kürschners Deutscher Sachbuch-Kalender (2001, newest 2003/2004)
  • Dictionary of International Biography (since 30/2003)
  • Who is Who in Science and Engineering (since 7/2003/2004)
  • Who’s Who in Finance and Industry (since 33/2002/2003)
  • The Contemporary Who’s Who of Professionals (2004/2005)
  • Who is Who in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (since 1998)
  • Kürschners Deutscher Sachbuch-Kalender (1/2001; newest 2/2003/2004)

Thomas Schirrmacher