Draft:Helmut Zander

Helmut Zander (* 13. Juli 1957 in Oberaußem) ist ein deutscher Religionshistoriker und römisch-katholischer Theologe.

Helmut Zander (born July 13, 1957, in Oberaußem) is a German historian of religion and Roman Catholic theologian.

Life and works
Zander grew up in Oberaußem and was active in the Catholic youth of the local parish St. Vinzentius. After completing his high school diploma in 1976 at the Erftgymnasium in Bergheim, he studied history, political science, comparative religion, and theology. In 1987, he received his doctorate from Hans-Adolf Jacobsen at the University of Bonn with a thesis on the role of Christians in the peace movements of the two German states. In 2002, he qualified as a professor at the Humboldt University of Berlin with a thesis on the history of Theosophy and Anthroposophy.

As the successor to Anand Nayak, who passed away in 2009, Zander has been teaching as a professor of comparative history of religions and interreligious dialogue at the Theological Faculty of the University of Freiburg (Switzerland) since 2011. His research focuses on European history of religion and current developments in Anthroposophy. Since 2014, he has been a member of the board of the Swiss Society for the Science of Religion.

Zander became particularly well-known for a monograph on the history of Anthroposophy in Germany (2007) and a biography of its founder Rudolf Steiner (2011). This led to extensive discussions in academic circles, which were also reflected in publications. Reviewers acknowledged his critical stance towards Steiner and his teachings. The educational scientist Sabine Hering noted in her review: "He does not challenge anyone, he does not justify himself, strictly speaking, he does not even explain his interests."

References