Protestant theology and the making of the modern German university
Book Description
This scholarly exploration reveals how Protestant theology fundamentally shaped the development of modern German universities, particularly examining the influential University of Berlin established in 1810. Thomas A. Howard bridges two traditionally separate academic conversations, demonstrating how theological education and university reform evolved together during a pivotal century in German intellectual history.
The book addresses a significant gap in historical scholarship. While historians of higher education often overlook theology's role in university development, focusing instead on humanities and sciences, theologians frequently examine their discipline's evolution without sufficient attention to the broader institutional context. Howard argues that these two stories are inseparably connected and must be understood together.
Through careful examination of Prussia's flagship university and its theological faculty, this work illuminates how Protestant theological thought influenced the very structure and mission of modern academic institutions. The study reveals the complex interplay between religious scholarship and educational reform that helped define nineteenth-century German intellectual life.
For readers interested in understanding how spiritual and academic traditions intersect, this book offers valuable insights into the historical foundations of modern theological education. It demonstrates how religious thought has shaped institutional learning and continues to influence contemporary discussions about the role of faith in academic settings. The work provides essential context for anyone seeking to understand the development of modern Christian theology within its proper educational and social framework.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~13 hours)
📄 Length: 468 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Theology, Doctrinal
- ✓ Explore Church and college
- ✓ Explore Universities and colleges, germany
- ✓ Explore Doctrines
- ✓ Explore Universities and colleges, history
- ✓ Explore Protestant churches
- ✓ Explore Theology, doctrinal, history
- ✓ Explore Doctrinal Theology
