Narrating History, Developing Doctrine: Friedrich Schleiermacher and Johann Sebastian Drey

Bradford E. Hinze offers a comprehensive, comparative investigation of the theologies of Reformed theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834) and Catholic Johann Sebastian Drey (1777-1853). Although they represented different theological traditions, both theologians contributed to the emergence of doctrinal development as a theological principle. Particular attention is paid to the effect of metaphor and narrative patterns, especially as these infomred Schleiermacher’s and Drey’s understanding of historiography, hermeneutics, and the tasks of theology. The book concludes with a review of specific doctrines the two theologians judged to be in need of criticism, reform, and development.