In the modern age, the relationship between academic theology and the Church has become a fundamental problem. Theologians' attempts to tackle this issue come to widely differing conclusions in determining the relationship between theology and the Church, society and academe.

This study sketches and evaluates selected positions adopted by Protestant theologians from Schleiermacher up to the present day. The relationship proposed by the author is directed towards a theology which succeeds in combining the substantive positioning and definition of the place of the Church with the ability for interdisciplinary communication and is aware of its responsibility for the world of religion and culture.

Hans-Martin Rieger, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena.