Deaths on February 12

Friedrich Schleiermacher, German philosopher and scholar (b. 1768)

Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher (German: [ˈfʁiːdʁɪç ˈʃlaɪɐˌmaχɐ]; born November 21, 1768, in Breslau, Silesia – died February 12, 1834, in Berlin) was a profoundly influential German Reformed theologian, philosopher, and biblical scholar whose intellectual endeavors marked a pivotal moment in the development of modern religious thought. His primary ambition was to bridge the chasm that had emerged between the burgeoning rationalism and criticisms of the Enlightenment era and the enduring truths of traditional Protestant Christianity, offering a new intellectual foundation for faith in a changing world.

Schleiermacher's unique approach sought to redefine religion not as a system of doctrines or moral codes, but as a fundamental human experience – specifically, a "feeling and taste for the infinite," or a "sense of absolute dependence." This innovative perspective, articulated most famously in his 1799 work, On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers, aimed to reclaim religion's relevance for intellectuals who had become skeptical of its traditional forms. By grounding faith in an innate human intuition and feeling, rather than solely on external revelation or reasoned proofs, he provided a powerful alternative to both rigid orthodoxy and secular rationalism.

Pioneering Hermeneutics and Higher Criticism

Beyond his theological innovations, Schleiermacher made indelible contributions to the field of interpretation. His work forms a foundational part of modern hermeneutics, the theory of understanding and interpretation, especially of texts. He proposed a "universal hermeneutics" that aimed to understand the author's original intention not only through grammar and context but also through a psychological apprehension of the author's mind. This holistic approach sought to bridge the gap between the interpreter and the text, making the act of understanding a deeply empathetic and reconstructive process.

Furthermore, Schleiermacher became highly influential in the evolution of higher criticism, particularly as it applied to biblical scholarship. He advocated for the historical-critical method in examining sacred texts, urging scholars to analyze the Bible with the same rigorous scrutiny applied to any other ancient document. This approach, while controversial in its time, laid crucial groundwork for modern biblical studies, emphasizing the historical and cultural contexts of the scriptures.

The "Father of Modern Liberal Theology"

Due to his profound effect on subsequent Christian thought, particularly his emphasis on subjective religious experience and the reinterpretation of traditional doctrines in light of modern sensibilities, Schleiermacher is widely acclaimed as the "Father of Modern Liberal Theology" and is considered an early leader in liberal Christianity. Liberal theology, as shaped by Schleiermacher, sought to integrate modern scientific and philosophical thought with Christian faith, often stressing ethics, social justice, and the immanence of God over supernatural intervention and strict adherence to historical dogma.

A Leader of German Romanticism

Philosophically, Schleiermacher was a prominent figure and leader within German Romanticism. This intellectual and artistic movement, which valued emotion, intuition, individuality, and the sublime, deeply informed his theological outlook. His emphasis on feeling and subjective experience as the core of religion resonated strongly with Romantic ideals, positioning him as a crucial bridge between philosophical idealism, artistic expression, and religious thought of his era.

Enduring Influence and Counter-Movements

Schleiermacher's influence permeated theological discourse throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, his subject-centered theology eventually faced a significant challenge from the neo-orthodoxy movement of the twentieth century. Spearheaded most notably by Swiss theologian Karl Barth, neo-orthodoxy reacted against what it perceived as the anthropocentric and relativistic tendencies of liberal theology. Barth, in particular, emphasized the radical transcendence of God and the absolute authority of divine revelation as found in the "Word of God" (Jesus Christ and the Bible), contrasting sharply with Schleiermacher's focus on human religious experience. This theological debate profoundly shaped 20th-century Protestantism.

Who was Friedrich Schleiermacher?

Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher was a prominent German Reformed theologian, philosopher, and biblical scholar (1768–1834) known for his efforts to reconcile Enlightenment criticisms with Protestant Christianity and for his foundational contributions to modern hermeneutics.

Why is he called the "Father of Modern Liberal Theology"?

He earned this title because he fundamentally redefined religion as a subjective experience of "absolute dependence" rather than a system of doctrines, thereby providing an intellectual framework for understanding faith that integrated modern thought and paved the way for liberal Christian movements.

What were Schleiermacher's main contributions to philosophy?

As a philosopher, he was a key figure in German Romanticism, emphasizing feeling, intuition, and subjective experience. He also made significant contributions to the philosophy of interpretation through his universal hermeneutics.

How did Schleiermacher attempt to reconcile Enlightenment thought with Christianity?

He sought reconciliation by redefining religion's essence not as dogma or reason but as a profound "feeling and taste for the infinite" or "sense of absolute dependence." This approach, articulated in works like On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers, aimed to give faith a new, unassailable foundation in human experience, independent of scientific or historical scrutiny.

What is Schleiermacher's connection to hermeneutics?

His work is considered foundational to modern hermeneutics, the theory of interpretation. He developed a "universal hermeneutics" focused on understanding an author's intention and the psychological aspects of communication, extending beyond mere grammatical analysis.

How did Karl Barth and Neo-orthodoxy challenge Schleiermacher's influence?

Karl Barth and the Neo-orthodox movement reacted against what they saw as the subjectivism and anthropocentrism of Schleiermacher's liberal theology. They re-emphasized God's transcendence, the radical authority of divine revelation (especially in Christ and the Bible), and humanity's dependence on God's Word, in contrast to Schleiermacher's focus on human religious feeling.