Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher (; November 21, 1768 – February 12, 1834) was a German
theologian,
philosopher, and
biblical scholar known for his attempt to reconcile the criticisms of the
Enlightenment with traditional
Protestant Christianity. He also became influential in the evolution of
Higher Criticism, and his work forms part of the foundation of the modern field of
hermeneutics. Because of his profound effect on subsequent Christian thought, he is often called the "Father of Modern Liberal Theology" and is considered an early leader in
liberal Christianity. The
Neo-Orthodoxy movement of the twentieth century, typically (though not without challenge) seen to be spearheaded by
Karl Barth, was in many ways an attempt to challenge his influence.