Eternal Blessedness for All : A Historical-Systematic Examination of Schleiermacher's Understanding of Predestination

An enlightening examination of how the pre-eminent 19th century theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher arrived at his position of universal salvation. Eternal Blessedness for All?' shows how the acclaimed father of modern theology, Friedrich Schleiermacher, brilliantly approached this problem. It took many twists and turns of historical and philosophically minded analyses, however, for him to get to a theologically appropriate answer. This book unpacks those efforts in manageable form, based on a close examination of a pivotal 1819 essay, 'On the Doctrine of Election'; his masterpiece, 'Christian Faith'; sermons; and other related sources. Schleiermacher was the first modern theologian of stature to endorse the universal restoration of all humanity. This study also displays the historical, ecumenical, and doctrinal contexts in which his views were fashioned.