Johann George Gichtel

1638-1710. German mystic and theosophist. Born in Regensberg, he studied at Strasbourg, then in his twenties was attracted by the writings of Jakob Boehme,* broke with traditional Lutheranism, attacked the established churches, got into trouble with the authorities, and settled in Amsterdam (1668). Developing his own blend of mysticism, pietism, and theosophy, he stressed the “heavenly marriage” between the spiritual man and divine Wisdom, and founded the “Angelic Brethren” who renounced earthly marriage. He gained some following in N Germany. In 1682 he edited Boehme's complete writings (11 vols.). He had some influence on Gottfried Arnold,* also a critic of orthodoxy.