Robert P. Scharlemann
Encyclopedia
Robert P. Scharlemann is a radical theologian best known for his theological works on the being of God and as an interpreter of Paul Tillich. Scharlemann taught at the University of Iowa
and the University of Virginia
.
and the University of Southern California
, he became Professor of Religious Studies at the School of Religion at the University of Iowa
in 1963. He remained there until 1981, when we became Commonwealth Professor of Religion at the University of Virginia. In addition to his teaching posts, his work included a stint as editor of the influential Journal of the American Academy of Religion
. He was also a moving force in the emergence of the North American Paul Tillich Society.
Scharlemann is also known for his works interpreting the theological system of Paul Tillich
. Of decisive influence was his early work, Reflection and Doubt in the Thought of Paul Tillich (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1969).
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
and the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
.
Career
Scharlemann received a B.A. and a B.D. from Concordia College, before going to the University of Heidelberg for his doctorate under a Fulbright Scholarship. After briefly teaching at both Valparaiso UniversityValparaiso University
Valparaiso University, known colloquially as Valpo, is a regionally accredited private university located in the city of Valparaiso in the U.S. state of Indiana. Founded in 1859, it consists of five undergraduate colleges, a graduate school, a nursing school and a law school...
and the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, he became Professor of Religious Studies at the School of Religion at the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
in 1963. He remained there until 1981, when we became Commonwealth Professor of Religion at the University of Virginia. In addition to his teaching posts, his work included a stint as editor of the influential Journal of the American Academy of Religion
American Academy of Religion
The American Academy of Religion is the world's largest association of scholars in the field of religious studies and related topics. It is a nonprofit member association,...
. He was also a moving force in the emergence of the North American Paul Tillich Society.
Theological Works
Scharlemann's more significant contributions to theology fall into two categories. First, Scharlemann has written a number of books and essays that investigate the nature of thinking theologically. These included the influential The Being of God. The Death of God theologian Thomas J.J. Altizer wrote in his autobiography that "Robert Scharlemann is the philosophical theologian who once most engaged me, and I regard his The Being of God: Theology and the Experience of Truth as a truly seminal theological work. Here not only are philosophical and theological thinking truly united, but the Crucifixion is unraveled in thinking itself, and in pure thinking itself. ... Scharlemann's formula, 'the being of God when God is not being God,' is not simply an assault upon the metaphysical God, but upon every Godhead manifest apart from the Crucifixion..." In addition to this work, Scharlemann published a volume of essays entitled Inscriptions and Reflections: Essays in Philosophical Theology. These further examine themes found in The Being of God.Scharlemann is also known for his works interpreting the theological system of Paul Tillich
Paul Tillich
Paul Johannes Tillich was a German-American theologian and Christian existentialist philosopher. Tillich was one of the most influential Protestant theologians of the 20th century...
. Of decisive influence was his early work, Reflection and Doubt in the Thought of Paul Tillich (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1969).