Eduard Boehl's (1836-1903) Concept for a Re-Emergence of Reformation Thought

By: Forster, Thomas R. V.

Nineteenth-century continental theology is usually associated with the classic liberal Protestantism of Schleiermacher and Ritschl. On the other side of the theological divide there was the Dutch Neo-Calvinist school, a sharp reaction to liberalism. Yet the theological realm of that era also included the Kohlbr gge school, which founded its theological method upon the Older Testament and re-read and applied the documents of the Reformation for its time. The most important representative of this school is Eduard B hl (1836-1903), who advocated a return to Reformed doctrine and church order and a strong Christological reading of the Old Testament. He also rejected historical criticism, for which he was subjected to censure. Moving into the field of systematics, B hl suggested a new reading of the image of God. His peculiar understanding of the imago Dei was also his biggest contribution to theological anthropology; this in turn influenced his views on Christology and salvation. Although B hl saw himself as a Reformed theologian, he would cross swords with those who claimed the same for themselves. B hl especially valued the teachings of Martin Luther, whom he held as a better exegete than the Genevan Reformer. B hl's theology is best captured as Reformation theology within the context of the Kohlbr gge school. Although the names of Luther and Calvin are well known in church history, and to a lesser degree, so is Kohlbr gge's, B hl's is not. This historico-theological account of B hl's life and work sheds some rare but much-needed shafts of light on a theologian who has wrongfully fallen into oblivion.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1433103540
• ISBN13: 9781433103544
• Release Date: July 2009
• Publisher: Peter Lang Inc., International Academic Publi
• Length: 279 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.2"