Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768–1834)

This is probably not the Schleiermacher you're used to. He is normally considered the father of modern liberal theology, but in this work he is preeminently the defender of a robust Augustinian-Calvinism, very much in line with previous theologians.

The book has a very specific context: in an environment in which Lutheran and Reformed union was feasible and under consideration, Schleiermacher dissects the arguments made by Dr Bretschneider, a Lutheran, against Calvinist understandings of show more predestination and similar points of disagreement with Lutheranism so as to defend a strict Augustinian/Calvinist view, and does so through the shared Reformation ground regarding total depravity and (primarily) through the doctrine of election.

It would be easy to say, based upon the basis of argument, Schleiermacher is ultimately quite successful: say what you will about Calvin's theories, but if you accept the basic presuppositions, they are remarkably consistent and follow logically from one another.

On the other hand, I do not share some of those basic presuppositions, and as an outsider looking in, the discussion is hard to follow at times and seems to be based upon certain shared assumptions and views that seem rather remote. The introduction to the book is extremely well-written and does a great job of explaining what is going on to prompt Schleiermacher to write this treatise and what he is attempting to argue within it. Without said introduction I would have assuredly been more lost than I was otherwise.

There is value in the treatise if you're within the Reformed tradition and as a witness to the state of Reformed theology at the beginning of the 19th century. It also shows an entirely different side of Schleiermacher. But for those not within the Reformed tradition, the book seems rather arcane and mystifying in many respects. show less

This groundbreaking book looked at the flaws in translation methods, the various solutions to the problems facing translators and recommends the best practice for translating really well rather than just doing a hack job. Especially useful with regards to older languages and when translating poetry or other creative texts.

speeches to its cultured despisers

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