Adolf Köberle

Who is Adolf Köberle?

Adolf Köberle was a German theologian. From 1922 to 1926, he was head of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Seminary in Leipzig. From 1930 to 1939, he was Professor of Systematic Theology in Basel. He is best known for his work, The Quest for Holiness: A Biblical, Historical, and Systematic Investigation.

Köberle studied philosophy and theology at Tübingen University. In 1928, he received his doctorate with the writing of Das Verhältnis von Rechtfertigung und Heiligung. The book was published later under the title, Rechtfertigung und Heiligung, and translated to English in 1936 by John C. Mattes. The "brilliant theological study... attracted so much attention in Germany that within a few years it passed through three editions..."

Köberle primarily wrote about Christian holiness as being motivated by the love of Christ and gratitude to God. He was considered a representative and interpreter of the heritage of Lutheran Pietism.