Prairie Group

To study thought as it affects religion . . . A Gathering of Unitarian Universalist Ministers

Schleiermacher - 2014

Paper Topics & Assignments

1.  Feelings of dependence and freedom.  As we know, central to Schleiermacher’s thought is the feeling of absolute dependence.  And yet Schleiermacher remains committed to a sense of freedom.  Explicate Schleiermacher’s sense of freedom, dependence, and the feeling of religion.  Then comment on the limitations of Schleiermacher’s own freedom, according to his biography (recalling that his work was censured) and socio-political context.  The author of this paper should provide it to the author of the second paper as soon as possible.   Author: Mary Moore.  Respondent: Daniel O’Connell.

 

2. Unitarians, Universalists, and Schleiermacher. The transcendentalists and other early Unitarians and Universalists incorporated Schleiermacher’s concepts about feeling, religion, and freedom for their own context.  Describe and comment on how Schleiermacher’s concepts translated into a more individualistic social and religious environment. The author and respondent of this paper may find it helpful to read The Metaphysical Club by Louis Menard, and to review the first paper.  Author: Burton Carley.  Respondent: Molly Housh Gordon

 

3. Schleiermacher’s transient and permanent.  In On Religion (Speeches) Schleiermacher’s description of religious feeling is mostly without doctrinal content. Yet in his preaching and in his later more orthodox work, God, Jesus, and traditional doctrines take a more prominent place.  Reflect on the transient and the permanent in Schleiermacher’s theory, and in particular on the space for religious pluralism and orthodoxy. How can Schleiermacher be useful in a pluralist, and particularly in a non-theistic, contexts? Author: Bill Neely.  Respondent: Janne Eller-Isaacs

 

4. Today’s cultured despisers.  Compose, ala Schleiermacher, a response to today’s cultured despisers of religion: the disillusioned, the uninterested, the militant atheists, and, of course, the “spiritual but not religious.” Author: Roger Bertschausen.  Respondent: Justin Schroeder.       

 

5. Once More With Feeling.  How and if does Schleiermacher’s theory matter for our own spiritual practice and ministry? In our efforts (and should we make such efforts?) to bring a sense of feeling and awe into our worship, small groups, teaching -- and our own spiritual practice as ministers -- is Schleiermacher helpful to us now?  How so?  Author: Luke Stevens-Royer.  Respondent: Bret Lortie.    

Aesthetics: Marlin Lavanhar                                   

Chaplain: Thandeka                         

 


Prairie Group 2014

Topic: Scheiermacher

 

Readings  (We suggest you read them in this order)

 

"Schleiermacher" (Chapter 8) in A History of Philosophy, volume 7: Modern Philosophy by Frederick Copleston. Available here: http://www.spiritual-minds.com/religion/philosophy/Frederick%20Copleston%20-%20A%20History%20of%20Philosophy%207%20-%20Modern%20Philosophy%20From%20the%20Post-Kantian%20Idealists%20to%20Marx,%20Kierkegaard,%20and%20Nietzsche%20-%200385470444.pdf

Schleiermacher: On Religion: Speeches to its Cultured Despisers (Cambridge Texts in the History of Philosophy) by Schleiermacher, Friedrich.  The introduction and the first 3 speeches are required, the 4th and 5th speech are recommended.

The Christian Faith by Friedrich Schleiermacher.  The first 31 pages (The introduction and the first 6 propositions) are required. 

The Cambridge Companion to Friedrich Schleiermacher. Required is: all of chapter 2, the middle section of chapter 3 (on individuality, sociability, and love), and all of chapters 7 and 15.

All Things New: Reform of Church and Society in Schleiermacher's Christian Ethics by James M. Brandt. The introduction and first two chapters are required, and chapter 5 is recommended. 

From Schleiermacher and Whitehead: Open Systems in Dialogue by Christine Helmer and Marjorie Suchocki, pages 93-94 and 103-115 from the chapter on “Relative Freedom” by Krista Duttenhaver is required.  You will find this at http://www.uurockford.org/prairie-group-2014-readings.htm

“Schleiermacher and Transcendentalism” by Robert Richardson.  You will find this here: http://www.uurockford.org/prairie-group-2014-readings.htm

Universalism: a historical survey by Richard Bauckham [claims Schleiermacher as the first real Universalist). http://www.theologicalstudies.org.uk/article_universalism_bauckham.html

Two articles by Roger Olson on Patheos: "What is Theological Liberalism?" (http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2011/07/what-is-theological-liberalism/) and "Was Schleiermacher a liberal theologian? (If not, who would be?)" (http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2012/09/was-schleiermacher-a-liberal-theologian-if-not-who-would-be/)

“Future Designs for American Liberal Theology” by Thandeka. You will find this here: http://www.uurockford.org/prairie-group-2014-readings.htm

       


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