Zeitgeist und Christentum: Beiträge zur historischen Theologie

Marieluise Sonnemeyer focuses her research on cultural Protestantism as a socio-cultural religious phenomenon. The medium of the journal has received only sporatic attention in systematic theology. Yet journals serve as indicators of their time. They capture voices, express perceptions, and comment on current events. The author addresses this research gap: She examines the journal "Die Christliche Welt" (ChW) against the backdrop of the social transformation processes between the 19th and 20th centuries. The concept of crisis serves as an analytical tool to grasp transformation processes and the self-interpretations of the ChW milieu. It becomes evident that in times of general uncertainty, the need for orientation and interpretation of the present increases, as was the case from the turn of the century onwards. The ChW's crisis diagnoses take up these paradoxical sentiments and systematically interpret them as a crisis. The various discourses contribute to a clearer positioning of the journal. The journal's theological orientation becomes particularly evident in the coping strategies it developed. The self-image that emerges emphasizes the Reformation's concept of freedom, the individual relationship with God, and religious sentiment. Religion is understood as a central component of personal and cultural development. While the movement's self-understanding was initially shaped by Ritschl's theology, the school of religious history gained influence after the turn of the century. The engagement with mystical-syncretic worldviews led to an emphasis on subjective interiority. The resulting individualized religious practice challenged academic and ecclesiastical authorities. World War I marked a turning point in the crisis discourses of the ChW.
The author offers a comprehensive reflection on the perception, interpretation, and management of crises within the ChW milieu. She not only examines historical crisis discourses but also highlights their relevance to contemporary discussions without drawing forced parallels between the early 20th century and the present. Rather, the analysis identifies structural elements that are illuminating for current debates.