Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T01:13:18.098Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Schleiermacher Contra Lindbeck on the Status of Doctrinal Sentences1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 October 2008

Georg Behrens
Affiliation:
Department of Religion, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027

Abstract

Lindbeck has devised what he calls a ‘regulative theory’ of doctrinal sentences, which he considers to be superior to its main rivals ‘propositionalism’ and ‘experiential-expressivism’. For Lindbeck, Schleiermacher is the classical expressivist. I argue that Schleiermacher is more properly classified as a propositionalist, though he does have expressivist inclinations. According to Schleiermacher, doctrinal sentences express propositions about God, the world, and human self-consciousness, and they can be the objects of cognitive states. At the same time, there is a sense in which they ‘express’ pious self-consciousness. I also argue that Schleiermacher's account of doctrinal sentences is superior to Lindbeck's, because it provides a better basis for understanding ecumenical dialogue.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

D[ialektik] J[onas] = DJ. cited by page number. Friedrich, Schleiermacher. Dialektik. herausgegeben von L. Jonas. Berlin: G. Reimer, 1839.Google Scholar
D[ialektik] O[debrecht] = DO. cited by page number. Friedrich, Schleiermacher. Dialektik. herausgegeben von Rudolf Odebrecht. Leipzig: J. C. Hinrichs, 1942.Google Scholar
G[laubens] L[ehre] 1821/2 = GL 1821/2. cited by section number. Friedrich, Schleiermacher. Der christliche Glaube, 2 Bde. herausgegeben von Hermann Peiter. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 1984.Google Scholar
G[laubens] L[ehre] 1830 = GL 1830. cited by section number. Friedrich, Schleiermacher. Der christliche Glaube, 2 Bde. herausgegeben von Martin Redeker. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 1960.Google Scholar
Translated by Mackintosh, H. R. and Stewart, J. S. under the title The Christian Faith. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1928.Google Scholar
K[ritische] G[esamt] A[usgabe] = I/7/3 = KGA I/7/3. cited by page number. Friedrich, Schleiermacher. Der christliche Glaube. Teilband 3:Google Scholar
Marginalien und Anhang. herausgegeben von Ulrich Barth. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 1984.Google Scholar
K[ritische] G[esamt] A[usgabe] I/10 = KGA I/10. cited by page number. Friedrich, Schleiermacher. Theologisch-dogmatische Abhandlungen und Gelegenheitsschriften. herausgegeben von H.-F. Traulsen. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 1990.Google Scholar
K[urze] D[arstellung] = KD. cited by section number. Friedrich, Schleiermacher. Kurze Darstellung des theologischen Studiums. herausgegeben von Heinrich Scholz. Leipzig: A. Deichert, 1910.Google Scholar
Translated by Tice, Terrence N. under the title Brief Outline on Theology as a Field of Study. New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 1989.Google Scholar
Ayer 1952. Ayer, A. J.Language, Truth and Logic (New York: Dover, 1952). 2nd edition.Google Scholar
Brunner 1928. Emil, Brunner. Die Mystik und das Wort (Tübingen: J. C. B. Mohr, 1928). 2nd edition.Google Scholar
Lindbeck 1984. George, A. LindbeckThe Nature of Doctrine: Religion and Theology in a Postliberal Age (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1984).Google Scholar
Mackintosh 1937. Ross, Mackintosh Hugh. Types of Modern Theology: Schleiermacher to Barth (London: Nisbet and Co., 1937).Google Scholar
Pannenberg 1973. Wolfhart, Pannenberg. Wissenschaftstheorie und Theologie (Frankfurt a. M.: Suhrkamp, 1973).Google Scholar