How Did Friedrich Shleiermacher View Of Judaism

Friedrich Schleiermacher was a leading figure in Western theology in the late 18th and early 19th century and remains influential to this day.1 The Christian Faith was published during the latter part of Schleiermacher's life and presented significant concepts and ideas.2 In this essay, I seek to evaluate and assess an extract from The Christian Faith and contemplate the significance of this text within the history of modern Christian theology. The extract concerns the validity of one's faith and is comprised of two sections. The first mentions the different levels of religion and the second discusses the three most prevalent monotheistic religions.

Initially, Schleiermacher explains what could be interpreted as something of a piety grading
The issue Schleiermacher presents with Judaism is the “lingering affinity with fetishism” - it is only the children of Abraham whom are deserving of God's salvation. There is a danger of this view propagating anti-semitism which was soon to become significant, as The Christian Faith was written merely one century before the Holocaust. Schleiermacher suggested Judaism was 'almost in the process of extinction' and this was true. Whilst these views of Judaism could be viewed as anti-semitic or biased, it cannot be disputed Jews believe only the Jewish race are to receive God's salvation. As well as this, a brutal process began shortly after the publication of The Christian Faith to ensure the extinction of Jewish people. I do not believe these comments were made due to a personal distaste or bias against Judaism, but instead a critical evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses historically of the religion. Schleiermacher made comment elsewhere saying it is necessary when contemplating the Christian church to “sufficiently maintain the balance between the historical and the speculative”.8 I believe this statement could be applied to his conceptions of other religions too and from this, we can deem the comments he made about Judaism as a combination of appropriate balance of speculation and historical fact. Despite this, it has been commented that Schleiermacher has often been harsh and insensitive to Judaism and
It is claimed Christianity remains free of the sensuality of Islam and the fetishism found in Judaism, therefore, making it the purest form of monotheism. This final resounding point made in this extract makes clear Schleiermacher's opinion of Christianity and neatly concludes his 'league of religion'. Christianity may well be the purest form of religion but whilst I agree Judaism fetishes the race of Abraham, I feel that any a follower of any religion may be subjective, including Christianity. Subjective believers, whether intentionally or not, can display a passionate character and can sensualise ideas. Despite this, it is a flaw that Schleiermacher only attributes to Islam. Schleiermacher had spent a significant amount of his life working as a minister and in churches, therefore, it is understandable his opinion of Christianity would be so high – he had dedicated his life to