Von Reimarus zu Wrede

Published in 1906 by J.C.B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck), Von Reimarus zu Wrede stands as a seminal work in the field of historical theology. Albert Schweitzer wrote this book, originally titled 'Geschichte der Leben-Jesu-Forschung', to provide a comprehensive critical analysis of the scholarly attempts to construct a historical biography of Jesus. By tracing the development of this research from Hermann Samuel Reimarus to William Wrede, Schweitzer demonstrated that these earlier efforts were largely influenced by the subjective theological biases of the researchers themselves rather than objective historical inquiry.

The book is celebrated for its rigor and its profound impact on 20th-century religious thought, effectively concluding the first phase of the 'Quest for the Historical Jesus'. Schweitzer's conclusion, which argued that Jesus was a figure rooted in apocalyptic expectation, challenged the prevailing liberal theology of the era and established Schweitzer as a major intellectual force. The design and presentation of the 1906 edition reflect the scholarly standards of German academic publishing at the turn of the century, prioritizing clarity and exhaustive documentation to support its thesis.