Elmar Koziel

Elmar Koziel is an Extraordinary Professor at the Chair of Fundamental Theology and Comparative Religious Studies within the Faculty of Catholic Theology at the University of Würzburg. He also serves as Spiritual Rector of the educational centers in Vierzehnheiligen and Head of the Ecumenical Department of the Archdiocese of Bamberg.

• Education: Dr. theol. (2000) from the Catholic Theological Faculty of Leopold Franzens University of Innsbruck; Habilitation in Dogmatische und Ökumenische Theologie (2007) and Fundamentaltheologie (2010) at Innsbruck; Lehrbefugnis (2010/11) at Würzburg.
• Research Interests: Focus on the theology of religions, the historical Jesus, naturalism/atheism, cultural theology, ecumenism, and pluralism in Christianity. His work bridges systematic theology, hermeneutics, and interreligious dialogue.
• Roles: Active in academic teaching at multiple institutions (Innsbruck, Bamberg, Würzburg), ecclesiastical leadership as Cathedral Canon (2020), Domkapitular (2021), and organizer of theological discourse through editorial roles and committees.
• Publications: His articles and monographs explore apocalyptic thought, salvation theology, and the tension between dogma and cultural engagement. Key works include critiques of New Atheism, analyses of religious pluralism, and contributions to ecumenical dialogue.
• Current Positions: Geistlicher Rektor of Bildungshäuser Vierzehnheiligen (since 2012), Head of Ecumenical Department (since 2021), and Domvikar at Bamberg Metropolitan Chapter.

His teaching includes courses on Images of God, Church and Ecumenism, and Theology of Religions, reflecting his interdisciplinary focus on theology’s intersection with culture, pluralism, and historical critique.