The Historical Mediation of God and Man: Vermittlungstheologie’s use of Hegelianism for Constructing a Theological System

Despite criticism, the thought of G.W.F. Hegel has been highly influential in theology. This article contributes to the debate on the heritage of Hegel from a historical perspective, by studying the theological movement of Vermittlungstheologie. It is demonstrated how Hegelianism provided these theologians with the tools to transform insights from confessional and “Schleiermacherian” theology into a comprehensive worldview. Special attention is paid to the construction of a system of theology with the incarnation at its heart.