Friedrich Schleiermacher and Liberal
Theology: Foundations of Modern
Biblical Hermeneutics
Abstract
Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768–1834) is widely regarded as the father of modern liberal
theology and hermeneutics. His theological and philosophical reflections reshaped biblical
interpretation, laying the foundation for the 19th-century liberal movement that sought to
harmonize Christian faith with Enlightenment rationality, Romantic individualism, and
historical consciousness. This article explores Schleiermacher’s contributions to biblical
hermeneutics, focusing on his universal hermeneutic method, the psychological and
grammatical dimensions of interpretation, and his redefinition of religion as the feeling of
absolute dependence. It further examines the lasting influence of Schleiermacher’s liberal
theology on modern theological and hermeneutical discourses.
1. Introduction: The Intellectual Context of Schleiermacher’s Theology
Friedrich Schleiermacher emerged in a transitional era shaped by the Enlightenment,
German Romanticism, and rising historical consciousness. He responded to the rationalism
of the 18th century and sought to preserve the vitality of religion in a culture increasingly
skeptical of dogma and supernatural claims. His liberal theology was not a rejection of
Christianity but a reinterpretation that emphasized individual experience, human
subjectivity, and the evolving nature of religious truth.
As both a philosopher and theologian, Schleiermacher aimed to provide a foundation for
faith that was intellectually credible and emotionally resonant. His impact is most profound
in the field of hermeneutics, where he introduced innovative methods that would shape
biblical interpretation for generations.
2. Schleiermacher’s Concept of Religion: Feeling of Absolute Dependence
In his seminal work, *On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers* (1799),
Schleiermacher defined religion not as metaphysics or moralism but as the "feeling of
absolute dependence." This definition emphasized religion as a universal human experience
rooted in the emotional and intuitive dimensions of life.
For Schleiermacher:
- Religion is immediate consciousness of the infinite.
- Dogmas are secondary expressions of religious feeling.
- The Bible is a record of religious experience, not a static doctrinal code.
This anthropological and experiential view formed the basis for a hermeneutic approach
that prioritized the interpreter’s empathetic understanding of the author’s inner world.
3. Schleiermacher’s Universal Hermeneutics
Schleiermacher revolutionized biblical interpretation by proposing a universal
hermeneutics—an interpretive method applicable to all texts, not just Scripture. In
*Hermeneutics and Criticism*, he articulated two main components:
- **Grammatical interpretation**: Understanding the linguistic and syntactical structure of
the text.
- **Psychological interpretation**: Reconstructing the author’s mental and emotional
context.
The goal was to grasp the whole meaning of the text by moving dialectically between
understanding the parts and the whole (the hermeneutical circle). This approach demanded
not only linguistic skill but also psychological empathy.
4. Biblical Hermeneutics and the Role of the Interpreter
Schleiermacher rejected the mechanical and literalist reading of Scripture common in his
time. For him, the task of the interpreter was not merely to extract information but to
recreate the **inner thought world** of the biblical authors.
This required:
- Deep engagement with historical and cultural context,
- Sensitivity to the author's individuality,
- Openness to the evolving nature of religious truth.
He viewed the Bible not as divine dictation but as a diverse collection of human testimonies
to religious experience. Thus, interpretation became an act of understanding living voices
from the past.
5. Schleiermacher and the Foundations of Liberal Theology
Schleiermacher laid the groundwork for liberal theology by shifting the locus of religious
authority from external dogma to **internal experience**. His theology emphasized:
- The importance of historical consciousness in theology,
- The autonomy of individual faith,
- The integration of critical scholarship with religious devotion.
This approach opened the door for later liberal theologians such as Albrecht Ritschl and
Adolf von Harnack, who continued Schleiermacher’s effort to make Christianity relevant to
the modern mind.
6. Critiques and Enduring Influence
Despite his pioneering work, Schleiermacher has faced criticisms:
- Karl Barth argued that he reduced theology to anthropology.
- Others claimed he neglected the communal and revelatory dimensions of faith.
However, his influence is enduring:
- He established hermeneutics as a central theological discipline.
- His emphasis on historical and psychological understanding shaped modern biblical
scholarship.
- His legacy persists in liberal, existential, and postmodern theological trajectories.
Conclusion
Friedrich Schleiermacher transformed biblical hermeneutics by integrating the insights of
linguistics, psychology, and historical consciousness into a coherent interpretive method.
His liberal theology sought not to discard Christianity, but to reinterpret it as a living,
evolving faith grounded in human experience. By centering interpretation on empathy,
context, and understanding, Schleiermacher not only responded to the crises of his age but
also anticipated the challenges and opportunities of biblical interpretation in the modern
world.
Bibliography
Schleiermacher, Friedrich. Hermeneutics and Criticism. Cambridge University Press.
Schleiermacher, Friedrich. On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers. Harper &
Row.
Gadamer, Hans-Georg. Truth and Method.
Thiselton, Anthony C. The Two Horizons: New Testament Hermeneutics and
Philosophical Description.
Palmer, Richard E. Hermeneutics: Interpretation Theory in Schleiermacher, Dilthey,
Heidegger, and Gadamer.
Barth, Karl. The Epistle to the Romans.
Grondin, Jean. Introduction to Philosophical Hermeneutics.
