SOURCE: “Schleiermacher's Influence,” in The Philosophy of Schleiermacher: The Development of His Theory of Scientific and Religious Knowledge, Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1941, pp. 299-317.

In the following excerpt, Brandt asserts that Schleiermacher's vast influence on theologians was due in part to his ability to mediate between supernatural theology and naturalism, thus allowing both orthodox and liberal theologians to accept modern science while also defending religion and theology.

An adequate discussion of Schleiermacher's influence, especially in Germany, would require a separate book. For his work in theology was so significant in bringing about a revision of the idea of the nature and purpose of theology that his books may be regarded as a substantial part of the root of modern theology. It is agreed on all sides that Schleiermacher has been the most important figure in Protestant theology since the time of the Reformation. Seeberg, in his History of the...