Albrecht Ritschl Essay examples -- Christian Theology

IntroductionAlbrecht Ritschl was one of the most pivotal theologians in the history of Christianity. While many raise up him with introducing ideas that led to a more liberal theology, his intentions were nevertheless honorable. Ritschl lived in a time where Christianity was no longer considered relevant or feasible, and his reinterpretations were an attempt to keep Christianity applicable to modern society. His defenses, however, often resulted in a corruption of doctrine and left Christianity open to attack. Thus Ritschl was an extremely influential theologian, though many question how verifying that influence may have been. Ritschls TheologyRitschls theology was greatly affected by the philosophers of his time. Immanuel Kant had declared that the mind was incapable of pictureing anything more than what could be experienced sensorially or was beyond ordered reason and logic. Similarly, Ritschl was influenced by the Tbingen school of theology, which he came to firmly oppose. Tbi ngen theology was extremely inquisitive about Christianity, yet also promoted mysticism. Further, the school disregarded church history.1 Thus Ritschls theology would take a less extreme approach. He would freeze off mysticism on the grounds that theology must be firmly rooted in reality, particularly moral and ethical realities. On this basis he also rejected natural theology.2Ritschls theology agreed with Kants philosophy to some extent. He agreed that the mind was limited to its experiences, but believed it could understand moral issues as they affected the individual.3 Thus everything was reduced to judgements of fact or value. Fact judgements could be proven objectively, but value judgements could not. Thus value judgements were left... ...BibliographyAhern, Annette. friendly Justice Now, Later or Never? The Contribution of Albrecht Ritschl and Johannes Weiss to Social Justice Theology. Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses 32, no. 3 (2003) 281-97. http//sir.sagepub.com/ content/32/3/281 (accessed February 18, 2012).Douglas, J. D., Philip Wesley soothe and Donald Mitchell. Whos Who in Christian History. Wheaton, IL Tyndale House, 1992.Eckman, James P. Exploring Church History. Wheaton, IL Crossway, 2002.Geisler, Norman L. and William E. Nix. A General Introduction to the Bible. Rev. and expanded. Chicago Moody Press, 1996.Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity The Reformation to the amaze Day. 2nd ed. New York City, NY HarperOne, 2010.Pierard, R.V. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. 2nd ed. Edited by Walter A. Elwell. Grand Rapids, MI. Baker Academic, 2001.