In the early nineteenth century, Schleiermacher contributed substantially to the birth of the modern age (including some features that are oddly dubbed “post-modern” today). The foregoing chapters are designed chiefly to present accounts of certain major areas of Schleiermacher's activity. My task here is to focus on problems and prospects within contemporary Schleiermacher studies.

SCHLEIERMACHER’S SCHOLARLY IDENTITY AND ACHIEVEMENT: A SUMMARY OVERVIEW

Although Schleiermacher’s work outside theology deserves to be better known, thus far he is much more reputed for what he produced in theology, still strikingly contributive with respect to both general method and content. Of particular importance currently are the following elements. First is his thoroughgoing use of only generally applicable hermeneutical and historical–critical procedures in every area. Second is his philosophical-mindedness (while eschewing any intrusion of philosophical content anywhere, though he does occasionally “borrow” from philosophical method and content to establish a frame for concepts like “religion” and “ethics”).