Religion and the Rise of Historicism: W. M. L. de Wette, Jacob Burckhardt, and the Theological Origins of Nineteenth-Century Historical Consciousness

This book offers an interpretation of the rise of secular historical thought in nineteenth-century Europe. Instead of characterizing 'historicism' and 'secularization' as fundamental breaks with Europe's religious heritage, they are presented as complex cultural permutations with much continuity; for inherited theological patterns of interpreting experience determined to a large degree the conditions, possibilities and limitations of the forms of historical imagination realizable by nineteenth-century secular intellectuals. This point is made by examining the thought of the German theologian W. M. L. de Wette and that of the Swiss-German historian Jacob Burckhardt. Burckhardt's meeting with de Wette and his subsequent decision to study history over theology are interpreted as revealing moments in nineteenth-century intellectual history. By examining their encounter, its larger historical context, and the thought of both men, the book demonstrates the centrality of theological concerns and forms of knowledge in the emergence of modern, secular historical consciousness. This Book Offers An Interpretation Of The Rise Of Secular Historical Thought In Nineteenth-century Europe. Instead Of Characterizing Historicism And Secularization As Fundamental Breaks With Europe's Religious Heritage, They Are Presented As Complex Cultural Permutations With Much Continuity; For Inherited Theological Patterns Of Interpreting Experience Determined To A Large Degree The Conditions, Possibilities, And Limitations Of The Forms Of Historical Imagination Realizable By Nineteenth-century Secular Intellectuals.--book Jacket. This Point Is Made By Examining The Thought Of The German Theologian W. M. L. De Wette (1780-1849) And That Of The Swiss-german Historian Jacob Burckhardt (1818-1897).--book Jacket. W. M. L. De Wette: Enlightenment, Romanticism, And Biblical Criticism -- De Wette And Schleiermacher At Berlin (1810-1819): Politics, History, And The Post-enlightenment Transformation Of Theology -- De Wette, D. F. Strauss, And The New Christusbild Aufklärung Antecedents -- Basel, Burckhardt, And De Wette -- History Without Centaurs. Thomas Albert Howard. Originally Published: 2000. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 220-242) And Index. This book offers an interpretation of the rise of secular historical thought in nineteenth-century Europe. Instead of characterizing 'historicism' and 'secularization' as fundamental breaks with Europe's religious heritage, they are presented as complex cultural permutations with much continuity. Concentrating upon the meeting of German theologian W.M.L. de Wette and Swiss-German historian Jacob Burckhardt, the book demonstrates the centrality of theological concerns and forms of knowledge in the emergence of modern .. IN 1836, AN ARTICLE IN THE Boston Unitarian periodical, The Christian Examiner, reported to American readers the scholarly achievements of the University of Berlin founded twenty-six years earlier: "The Berlin University numbers illustrious names among its teachers and professors.