This book discusses the ethical implications of German liberal theology in the early years of the 20th century. It seeks to understand a much neglected period on its own terms. The leading figure, Ernst Troeltsch (1865–1923), is treated as a ‘public theologian’, engaging at many different levels with his social and political context and trying to ensure that religion could continue to shape the future course of history. To understand his context he made use of the tools of the emergent discipline of sociology and also entered into dialogue with philosophers and historians. Troeltsch's public t ... More

This book discusses the ethical implications of German liberal theology in the early years of the 20th century. It seeks to understand a much neglected period on its own terms. The leading figure, Ernst Troeltsch (1865–1923), is treated as a ‘public theologian’, engaging at many different levels with his social and political context and trying to ensure that religion could continue to shape the future course of history. To understand his context he made use of the tools of the emergent discipline of sociology and also entered into dialogue with philosophers and historians. Troeltsch's public theology is contrasted with other liberal modes of theology, particularly those of the New Testament scholar, Wilhelm Bousset, and the systemic theologian, Wilhelm Hermann, who were far more reluctant to engage seriously with their situation and as a result isolated religion from its broader context. Troeltsch's theological solution is also compared with Max Weber's sociological response to the problems of modernity: Troeltsch's ideas of cultural synthesis are seen as both constructive and critical and as having much to contribute to contemporary social and political theology.