Johann Tobias Beck

Johann Tobias Beck (22 February 1804 in Balingen, Duchy of Württemberg – 28 December 1878 in Tübingen) was a German theologian.

He was known as a critic of both left and right wing Christian groups in Germany in the 19th century.

His polemical style centered around "biblical realism," which considered the scriptures as an integrated system in and of themselves, an unconditional authority over both Enlightenment-style reasoning and ecclesiastical confessions.

It needs neither human philosophy or churchly synthesis in order to be the truth, though spiritual (pneumatische) exegesis had its place by virtue of the work of the Holy Spirit.

In such a way, "The scientific theological system should thus reproduce the real life-system of the biblical doctrine, for which the coherent activity of God is central.