High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Adolf von Harnack (7 May 1851–10 June 1930), was a German theologian and prominent church historian. He produced many religious publications from 1873-1912. Harnack traced what he deemed to be the corrupting influences of Hellenistic philosophy and culture on early Christian thought and called on Christians to reject the authenticity of those doctrines which he assessed as tainted by this Hellenization. He rejected the historicity of the gospel of John in favor of the synoptic gospels, criticized the Apostles` Creed, and promoted the Social Gospel.