The book offers the first in-depth treatment in English of a theological movement that is generally recognized as crucial for all later theology. The author shows the groundbreaking historical work of the two major theological schools in nineteenth century Germany, the Tubingen School and the Ritschl School, as part of a broader theological and intellectual agenda. This agenda draws on the fundamental tenets of historicism and German Idealism that history
generally holds the key to an understanding of reality. Using a wealth of primary sources, many of which have never been used in English speaking scholarship before, the author embeds this essentially
theological story within broader intellectual developments in nineteenth century Germany. In spite of its eventual disintegration, the project of theology as science in nineteenth century Germany is here described as a paradigmatic intellectual endeavour of European modernity with far-reaching significance beyond the confines of a single academic discipline.