Christian Faith as Religion

“Capetz brings several strengths to bear on this fine book . . . Here is a carefully argued, thoroughly researched work of real theological passion.”

Katherine Sonderegger

“Captez's book is very instructive in three dimensions. It is a historical study that compares the theologies of Calvin and Schleiermacher, and demonstrates the thorough scholarly knowledge Capetz has of these pivotal contributors to the Reformed theological tradition. The historical dimensions, secondly, are analyzed in the framework of a systematic issue, i.e., the relation of religion to faith. Capetz formulates this issue by outlining the form it took between 'Neo-orthodox' (e.g., Karl Barth) and Liberal theology in the Twentieth Century. Thirdly, a historical theme poses a crucial matter for contemporary theology, namely, how twenty-first century theology will deal with the historical shift in the religious question, from the concern with personal salvation from sin and guilt in the Reformation to 'the place and significance of human life within the comprehensive order of nature' after the Enlightenment. Only a scholar with broad and deep historical knowledge and an acutely probing intellect can write such a profound book.”

James M. Gustafson

“In this lucidly written and well-researched study, Paul Capetz puts to rest the neo-orthodox argument that Schleiermacher's work represents a fundamental departure from the Reformation tradition. But the value of his investigation of the significance of 'religion' for Calvin and Schleiermacher extends beyond this result. This is an important work for all those who are interested in the history of the category of religion, be they theologians or scholars of religion more generally.”

Andrew Cole

“This meticulous comparison of the theologies of Calvin and Schleiermacher belongs on the shelf of every serious student of Reformation and modern theology. Capetz convincingly dismantles the prevailing 'neo-orthodox' picture of a radical discontinuity between classic and modern Protestantism by thinking much harder than Barth or Brunner ever did about the proper terms in which to compare these two Reformed giants. Providing rock-solid interpretations of each theologian, Capetz displays a quiet yet firm methodological resolve to distinguish, without separating, historical and systematic reflection. The result is historical theology at its best.”

Brent W. Sockness

“Paul Capetz's book on Calvin and Schleiermacher ably and comprehensively brings out the connections between the premier theologian of modern Protestant liberalism and the sixteenth-century Genevan reformer. By delving into their respective notions of piety and religion this book goes far toward locating Schleiermacher in the broad Reformed tradition. A carefully crafted study of historical theology, the book calls into question the received (and still widespread) view of Karl Barth's neo-orthodoxy that the classical Reformation and Schleiermacher are incompatible.”

Richard Crouter