1799–1834

Schleiermacher and the "Speeches on Religion": the Birth of Liberal Theology

Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768–1834) was born in Breslau to a Reformed army chaplain. His father had undergone a spiritual renewal through the Moravian Brethren. Schleiermacher was raised in Pietist schools and seminary, and at Halle he came under the influence of Humean and Kantian skepticism.

He was ordained in 1790. He served as chaplain of Berlin's Charité hospital (1796–1802) and grew close in Berlin to the circle of Romantics led by Goethe.

In 1799 he published On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers. The book was rapturously received across Europe and laid the foundation of liberal Protestant theology. The Christian Faith (1821–22, rev. 1830) followed – arguably the most influential theological work of the 19th century.