“Speaking the Truth in Love”: Schleiermacher's Perspectives on Church Governance and Service

Abstract

After providing some introductory considerations, in the main body of this essay, I shall offer a general, brief account of what "speaking the truth in love" means to Schleiermacher. In his effort to depict the focal quality of Christian ministry in any form, this phrase represents the nub of the matter. In this essay, I intend to show what Schleiermacher's practical theology consists of. I believe that to grasp what Schleiermacher actually means by church governance and service-the two main parts of his presentation of practical theology-it is necessary to have the following account in mind. Otherwise, his practical theology would be seen as just one man's view of how we should do things in the church. Successively, this account will consider the following areas: (1) Schleiermacher's use of Scripture; (2) his mode of interpretation of Ephesians 4: 15; (3) his discussion of "love" as an affective state, on the basis of (2), and thus a discussion of religion itself as grounded in what is perceived and felt. In the course of this analysis I also treat the role of faith, love and other modes of feeling that arise in our relationships with the divine and with one another, and how such experiences pass on the essence of Christianity over successive generations from Jesus to ourselves. (4) Further, this essay examines what can be said to be "the truth" in the process of communication just depicted. Finally, (5) this essay demonstrates how the process of "speaking the truth in love" determines the way Schleiermacher would view every sector of Christian ministry, whether in more broadly practised governance or in service (Dienst, ministry) as it appears in congregational life.