Abstract:
The aim of this article is to present the critique that Adolf von Harnack (1851–1930) formulated
on the Orthodox tradition in his famous book Das Wesen des Christentums, as well as to
comment on its affirmations in the context of his time and way of thinking and to try and
find explanations for his criticism. The article concludes that although Harnack’s critique on
the Orthodox tradition may have presented negative perception of Orthodoxy, particularly
amongst Protestants and many Orthodox theologians who were furious after reading his paper,
yet, his critical affirmations also have constructive aspects. However, some of the conclusions
of Harnack’s criticism are genuinely rejected by the Orthodox theologians and are no longer
sustainable. As a theologian, Harnack cannot be considered an opponent of the modern
ecumenical movement, but rather as one of its pioneers. Harnack could be included in the
category of frank ecumenists who prefer to express in a critical, but constructive way that
which he believes about his own Christian tradition, as well as other Christian traditions.
Description:
This article is a revised
version of a lecture
presented under the same
title on 10 February 2011
in Leeds Trinity University
College, as part of the
Eastern Christian Studies
Seminars. The Reverend Dr
Daniel Buda is a research
fellow, participating with
Prof. Dr Graham Duncan,
Head of the Department of
Church History and Polity of
the Faculty of Theology at
the University of Pretoria,
Pretoria, South Africa.
