Developing Lines of Theological Thought in Germany - Part 4 - Fourth Annual Bibliographical Lecture

Sep 29, 2026

Developing Lines of Theological Thought in Germany is a lecture by Martin Noth, framed as a bibliographical reflection on how theological thinking develops within Germany. Noth limits the scope to Evangelical theology and emphasizes the personal, non-exhaustive nature of his portrayal. He foregrounds Old Testament studies and discusses how German theology is shaped by reference works, lexicons, and dictionaries, then turns to observable tendencies in biblical studies beyond a simple “post-critical” framework, including tradition-focused approaches.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

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Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

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Developing Lines of Theological Thought in Germany

II.

S 00.2 68 963 TU DEVELOPING LINES OFTHEOLOGICAL THOUGHTIN GERMANY by MARTIN NoTH Professor of Old Testament,University of Bonn Translated by JOHN BRIGHT Professor of Old TestamentUnion Theological SeminaryinVirginia Fourth Annual Bibliographical Lecture I963 anARIES hOLBROOKITBRARyJaeifieSehoolof JPeligion https://archive.org/details/developinglineso0000unse 0,× 8 963 N44 # Developing Lines of TheologicalThought in Germany 函 LIKE my predecessors(.K.S.Reid I96o.W.C.van UnnikI961,E.Schweizer 1962)I must confess at once that it is notpossible in any objective sense to treat the topic of this lecture ina manner that is both suitable and exhaustive.It is probable thatno single individual is in a position to do that;certainly I myselfam not.It is,therefore,important to note at the outset thatdefinite limitations have been placed upon the remarks that follow.The first of these lies in their restriction to Germany.This is not aproper limitation to the degree that theology cannot and shouldnot be a “national”affair,and that theology in Germany thuslabors conjointly with Christian theology throughout the world.A further limitation is posed by the existence side by side of variousconfessions.I cannot be so bold as to venture to pass judgmentupon the essential tendencies in Roman Catholic theology andwill,therefore,in what follows confine my attention in general toEvangelical theology in Germany.With that,the subjectiveelement in this lecture at once becomes evident.Even as regardsEvangelical theology in Germany,I can depict it only as I see it.It is,therefore,incumbent upon me to make it clear at the outsetthat my portrayal will throughout be a personal one,that the judg-ments which I will now and then express are my personal judg-ments,and that the selection which,in view of the mass of thematerial,I must make is determined by my own personal view-point.My own field is that of Old Testament studies;for thisreason,Biblical theology and,above all,Old Testament studies will stand in the foreground throughout.That can perhaps bejustified in that Biblical exegesis plays a very important role inGerman theology and exerts a strong influence upon the othertheological disciplines;yet at the same time the exegete is not ina position to do justice to the whole field of theology outside hisown narrow area.And that,finally,poses the still further limita-tion that the “developing lines”in German Evangelical theologycan in general be treated only in so far as they have appeared inliterary form in books and periodicals and have thus made them-selves distinguishable.Who can say if starts have not already beenmade toward new theological thinking which have not yet foundtheir way into the scholarly publications?But even with respect towhat already lies before us,there is probably no man who can sayfor certain where the"developing lines"”really are.In any case,ajudgment concerning what will apparently prove to be unfruitful,and what promises to lead us farther,is an entirely subjective one.Permit me,therefore,to submit the following remarks with a"striving after objectivity,"but still with the“courage to besubjective." ## I. In German theology we live in an epoch of lexicons and dic-tionaries;and this epoch is by no means yet at an end.It is cer-tainly necessary to revise old and reliable reference works fromgeneration to generation.Thus the third edition of the(essentiallyEvangelical)RGG is now completed with the exception of thendex volume;¹and a second edition of the(Roman Catholic)LThK is at present in process ofappearing.²Aside from this,thereis now the Evangelisches Kirchenlexikon,which has been com-pleted in the last few years,and which in general parallels RGG.³In addition,various other undertakings,particularly in the areaof exegesis,have been carried forward.Kittel's ThW,which hasgrown to gigantic proportions,is still not finished,and its com-pletion is not yet in sight.⁴As a companion piece to this

FAQs

Why does Martin Noth restrict the lecture to Germany and mostly to Evangelical theology?

He limits the discussion geographically to Germany and avoids passing judgment on Roman Catholic theology, so he confines attention mainly to Evangelical theology in Germany.

What field does Noth say he will place in the foreground?

He states that his own field is Old Testament studies, so Biblical theology and especially Old Testament studies stand in the foreground throughout the lecture.

What main scholarly development does Noth describe in German theology’s current epoch?

He describes an epoch of lexicons and dictionaries, noting major reference works and their wide circulation for convenient scholarly orientation.

Sep 29, 2026

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