On Creeds, Confessions and Church Union: That They May Be One

by Friedrich Schleiermacher, Iain G. Nicol (Translator)

This extraordinarily well-integrated work, organized by University of Toronto professor Iain Nicol, is a concise collection, from 1817 to 1822, of six essays, two sermons and one celebratory address. They offer, better than any other set of writings by his hand, Schleiermacher's faithful yet critical and innovative understanding of themes indicated in the title. These items are translated here for the first time, eight from German (by Nicol) and one from Latin (the 1817 "Oratio" by Terrence Tice).

265 pages, Hardcover

First published June 15, 2004

About the author

Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher was a German theologian and philosopher known for his impressive attempt to reconcile the criticisms of the Enlightenment with traditional Protestant orthodoxy. He also became influential in the evolution of Higher Criticism. His work also forms part of the foundation of the modern field of hermeneutics. Because of his profound impact on subsequent Christian thought, he is often called the "Father of Modern Protestant Theology", and is considered an early leader in liberal Christianity. The neo-orthodoxy movement of the twentieth century, typically (though not without challenge) seen to be spearheaded by Karl Barth, was in many ways an attempt to challenge his influence.