Wilhelm Herrmann-Studienausgabe

Wilhelm Herrmann spent nearly four decades lecturing on dogmatics at the University of Marburg (1879-1917), yet left behind no published dogmatic theology. This edition, prepared by Dietrich Korsch and Frank Pritzke, presents four key texts that together reconstruct the distinctive structure of Herrmann's theological thinking. These include the programmatic essay Die Metaphysik in der Theologie (1876), two major articles from 1906/09 and 1907 in which Herrmann reflects on the historical development of his approach, and the posthumously edited lecture theses by Martin Rade. What makes Herrmann's theology distinctive is his critical engagement with modern intellectual contexts. He insists on the necessity of locating theology within the transformations brought by modern science, philosophy, and ethics. From this background he develops a two-part dogmatic structure: first, a philosophical and ethical analysis of religion culminating in faith as veracity of individual life, followed by a systematic unfolding of the content of Christian faith. His dogmatics serves faith without determining it dogmatically. This reflexive method challenges both historical and contemporary theological approaches. By presenting these essential texts, the editors offer a vital contribution to ongoing discussions about the relevance of historical consciousness for systematic theology.