Christocentric Reformed Theology in Nineteenth-Century America: Key Writings of Emanuel V. Gerhart
Ebook
Knowledge of the ideas of the theologian Emanuel V. Gerhart is essential for understanding nineteenth-century American theology. Gerhart was one of the first to introduce a complete systematic Christocentric theological system to Americans. His Institutes of the Christian Religion developed the ideas of European theologians and promoted the effort to systematize Mercersburg theology. Gerhart embraced German idealism rather than Scottish philosophy in his scholarship. As a mediating theologian, he attempted to reconcile historical Christianity with modern culture. His lectures, essays, and texts addressed the religious challenges and intellectual issues of his day from a Christocentric perspective. Together they were a major contribution to the Mercersburg Movement in particular and American theology in general from the antebellum period to the progressive era. His publications were devoted to a range of disciplines that included education, philosophy, and theology. This volume portrays Gerhart's core theological ideas as found in his main texts and offers introductory commentaries and gives the historical background for his intellectual contributions.
“Finally, Gerhart gets due recognition. This is a judicial and
thoughtful selection from a theologian who helped introduce
historical and organic development to a religious scene awash in
individualistic piety. His peers honored him; this volume shows
why.”
—E. Brooks Holifield, Emory University
“This welcome volume pulls together into one place the essential
writings of Emanuel Gerhart, a key figure in the development and
synthesis of Mercersburg theology. Known for his distinguished
career as a university president and church leader, Gerhart also
produced, among other writings, a massive two-volume Institutes
of the Christian Religion in which, like Schaff and Nevin, he
opposed both liberal and revivalist forms of Protestantism for
their subjectivistic rationalism.”
—George Hunsinger, Princeton Theological Seminary
“For anyone wondering about the Mercersburg theology after John
Williamson Nevin and Philip Schaff, the writings of Emanuel Gerhart
will be invaluable. Annette Aubert has selected a rich sampling of
Gerhart’s work and supplied insightful editorial guidance along the
way. Although Gerhart’s ideas are largely unknown today, his
writings are still valuable for those intrigued by the ethnic
diversity of Reformed Protestantism in the US and contemporary
Protestant efforts at ressourcement theology.”
—D. G. Hart, Hillsdale College
Annette G. Aubert is Lecturer and Visiting Scholar in Church
History at Westminster Theological Seminary. She is the author of
The German Roots of Nineteenth-Century American Theology
(2013). She has published various book chapters and journal
articles on modern and historical theology.
Emanuel V. Gerhart (1817–1904) was a nineteenth-century German
Reformed theologian in America. He served as president and
professor at Heidelberg College, Franklin & Marshall College,
and Mercersburg Seminary. His books include Institutes of the
Christian Religion, Prolegomena to Christian Dogmatics,
and An Introduction to the Study of Philosophy.