This is the third phase of free thought in that which was called the fourth crisis of faith.—Importance of the movement, which is called “rationalism,” as the theological phase of the literary movement of Germany (p. [210]).—Deviation from the plan previously adopted, in that a sketch is here given of German theological inquiry generally, and not merely of unbelief (p. [211]).
Brief preliminary sketch of German theology since the Reformation. Two great tendencies shown in it during the seventeenth century (p. [211]).
(1) The dogmatic and scholastic, science without earnestness (p. [212]). (2) The pietistic, earnestness without science (p. [213]).
In the first half of the eighteenth century, three new influences are introduced (pp. [213], [214]), which are the means of creating rationalism in the latter half: viz.
(α) The philosophy of Wolff, explained to be a formal expression of Leibnitz's principles; and the evil effect of it, accidental and indirect (pp. [214-216]). (β) The works of the English deists (p. [216]). (γ) The influence of the colony of French infidels at the court of Frederick II. of Prussia (p. [217]).
The subsequent history is studied in three periods (p. [218]); viz.
Period I. (1750-1810).—Destructive in character, inaugurated by Semler (pp. [218-234]). Period II. (1810-1835).—Reconstructive in character, inaugurated by Schleiermacher (pp. [239-261]). Period III. (1835 to present time)—Exhibiting definite and final tendencies, inaugurated by Strauss (Lect. VII).
Period I. (1750-1810), is studied under two Sub-periods:
Sub-period I. (1750-1790, pp. [219-228]), which includes three movements; (1) Within the church (p. [219] seq.); dogmatic; literary in Michaelis and Ernesti; and freethinking in Semler (pp. [221-224]), the author of the historic method of interpretation. (2) External to the church (pp. [224-226]); literary deism in Lessing, and in the Wolfenbüttel fragments of Reimarus (p. [225]). (3) External to the church; practical deism, in the educational institutions of Basedow (p. [227]).
Sub-period II. (1790-1810, pp. [227-234]); the difference caused by the introduction of two new influences; viz,