Hermann Cremers Umformung der christlichen Lehre von den Eigenschaften Gottes im Lichte ihrer Rezeption im 20. Jahrhundert

The article offers a critical appreciation of the Lutheran theologian Hermann Cremer (1834-1903), the leading figure of the so-called Greifswald School at the turn from the 19th to the 20th century. In particular, I consider Cremer's essay on the doctrine of God's attributes from 1897 in the context of his soteriology and theological epistemology, with a particular emphasis on his creative revision of the concept of God's righteousness. According to Cremer, God's grace is efficient precisely in and through God's judgment. I also look at Cremer's debate with Karl Friedrich Nosgen on the 'righteousness of faith' and the idea of justification by faith alone. Cremer's thinking is then brought into conversation with several interpreters of his work in the 20th century. I conclude by raising some questions for further discussion, especially in regard to Cremer's concept of conscience.