Schleiermacher: A Guide for the Perplexed

Description

Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher stands in the very first rank of Christian systematic theologians with Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin, and Karl Barth and has been dubbed as the 'Father of Modern Theology'. The beginning of the era of liberal theology that dominated Protestant thought at least until the First World War is commonly dated to the publication of Schleiermacher's On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers in 1799. His influence extends far beyond theology. He was a pioneer in education, the philosophy of language and hermeneutics. There has been a resurgence of interest in Schleiermacher. His way of wrestling with many of the issues of theology in the modern world are still quite relevant. This Guide for the Perplexed brings the results of the recent decades of research to bear on the most controversial and important aspects of Schleiermacher's work for our own time.

Theodore Vial is Assistant Professor of Theology at Iliff School of Theology, USA.

This book is valuable for its accessible presentation of theological prolegomania. It is also unique in that it develops Schleiermacher's political theology, such as his giving his parishioners hope during the trials of the Napoleonic invasion. It presents Schleiermacher as less the master of Christian dogma and instead as the university professor and master of hermeneutics. -- Mark Mattes * Lutheran Quarterly * Schleiermacher is a fresh scholarly work with an original thesis. It will be most appreciated by those with an interest in philosophy of religion, although no prior knowledge of that discipline or of Schleiermacher's life are necessary to engage with the book. Overall, the book presents an original contribution to our understanding of Schleiermacher's philosophy of religion and is highly recommended. -- Josiah Sleppy, Cedarville University, US * Theological Book Review * Writing a brief and accessible introduction to a figure like Friedrich Schleiermacher is a daunting task ... Theodore Vial has performed this difficult feat with finesse.The book provides both biographical information and detailed readings of particular texts ... This is a fine book and an excellent place to begin to get to know the work of Schleiermacher. -- Dawn DeVries, Union Presbyterian Seminary, US * Theology *