Philip Schaff

Philip Schaff – Life, Thought, and Legacy

Explore the life, theology, and historical impact of Philip Schaff (1819 – 1893), the Swiss-born theologian and church historian whose ecumenical vision, scholarship, and “Mercersburg Theology” shaped American Protestantism and modern ecclesiastical history.

Introduction

Philip Schaff (January 1, 1819 – October 20, 1893) was a Swiss-born, German-trained theologian and historian who spent much of his career in the United States.

He is best known for his monumental works in ecclesiastical history (notably History of the Christian Church), his editing of primary Christian texts (Nicene & Post-Nicene Fathers), and his advocacy of evangelical catholicism and Christian unity.

Schaff played a bridging role between European theological traditions and the evolving religious landscape of 19th-century America, helping establish standards for church history as an academic discipline in the U.S.

Early Life and Education

Childhood and Origins

Philip Schaff was born in Chur, Switzerland (in the canton of Grisons) on January 1, 1819.

His early years were marked by hardship. His father died when he was a child, and his mother was reportedly driven from her home due to societal pressures related to his birth status. As a result, Schaff spent part of his youth in orphanages or under guardianship.

He later attended a pietist boarding school in Kornthal (Württemberg), which he called a “spiritual birthplace,” before continuing studies at a gymnasium in Stuttgart.

University Studies in Germany

In 1837, Schaff entered the University of Tübingen, where he encountered thinkers such as David Strauss and Ferdinand Christian Baur.

He later studied at the universities of Halle and Berlin, coming under the influence of theologians like Friedrich August Tholuck, Julius Müller, Friedrich Schmid, and particularly August Neander, whose work in church history deeply shaped Schaff’s outlook.

By 1841, Schaff had completed a degree in theology (B.Div.) at the University of Berlin, and soon after served as a Privatdozent (lecturer) in biblical exegesis and ecclesiastical history at Berlin.

During his doctoral work, he also traveled as a tutor across Italy and Sicily, which further broadened his cultural and historical perspectives.

Move to America & Academic Career

Mercersburg Seminary and “Mercersburg Theology”

In 1843, Schaff was invited to serve as Professor of Church History and Biblical Literature at the German Reformed Theological Seminary in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania—then the only seminary in the U.S. serving the German Reformed Church.

He was ordained in April 1844 to qualify for the post, and delivered an inaugural address titled The Principle of Protestantism, in which he proposed a mediating theology that drew on both Protestant and Catholic heritage.

Schaff’s theological vision, in cooperation with John Williamson Nevin, came to be known as Mercersburg Theology. This approach emphasized the historical continuity of the church, the sacraments, and a balanced view of tradition and renewal.

His views provoked controversy: some critics accused him of being too “pro-Catholic.” He was formally tried for heresy in 1845 but was unanimously acquitted by the Synod of the German Reformed Church.

Through his work at Mercersburg, Schaff introduced greater historical awareness into American Protestantism, championed the use of English (rather than German) in Reformed churches, and shaped liturgy, hymnody, catechisms, and confessional life.

Transition and Later Years

Due to disruptions from the American Civil War, Mercersburg Seminary was temporarily closed around 1863. Schaff relocated to New York City, where he served the New York Sabbath Committee (which defended Sunday observance) until 1870.

In 1870, Schaff joined Union Theological Seminary in New York. Over time he held chairs in theological encyclopedia & symbolism, Hebrew & cognate languages, sacred literature, and finally church history until his death in 1893.

He also engaged in ecumenical work (with the Evangelical Alliance), oversaw portions of the translation committees (including for the American Standard Version of the Bible, though he died before its publication), and was instrumental in founding the American Society of Church History in 1888.

Schaff passed away in New York City on October 20, 1893 following a stroke.

Major Works & Theological Contributions

History of the Christian Church

Schaff’s History of the Christian Church (in multiple volumes, published from mid-19th century through 1890) is his magnum opus in historical theology. It traces church development from earliest roots through to modern times, combining rigorous scholarship with a narrative sensibility.

His historical method emphasized organic development, continuity of tradition, and the interplay of ideas and ecclesial life rather than reducing history to mere biography.

The Creeds of Christendom

In 1877, Schaff published The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical Notes, a multi-volume survey and commentary on Christian creeds from the early church through the Reformation. This work became a standard in theological education in the U.S.

orial & Scholarly Projects

• He translated and edited the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers series, bringing patristic writings into broader use in the English-speaking world.

• He also led the English edition of Schaff–Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, derived from the German Herzog Realencyklopädie.

• Schaff’s other writings include What is Church History?, Slavery and the Bible, Through Bible Lands: Notes of Travel, The Life and Labors of St. Augustine, and numerous essays, hymns, and catechetical works.

Theological Themes & Legacy

Two of Schaff’s central theological motifs deserve emphasis:

1. Historical Development & Organic Growth
   Schaff saw Christian history as a dynamic process of preservation, renewal, and synthesis. He drew on the Hegelian pattern (thesis–antithesis–synthesis) to argue that doctrinal developments, schisms, and reform movements are part of the life of the church.

2. Evangelical Catholicism & Christian Unity
   Schaff championed what he termed “evangelical catholicism” — the idea that Protestantism should not abandon the catholic heritage (creeds, tradition, liturgy) while maintaining evangelical convictions (Scripture, grace). He believed that over time the positive elements of Protestant and Catholic traditions could be reconciled.

He was active in ecumenical efforts, striving for unity among Christian denominations, and engaging in dialogues via the Evangelical Alliance and interdenominational acts.

His belief in translation, historical awareness, and broad scholarship helped shape how theology and church history would be taught in America. He is often credited with raising the standard for American Protestant scholarship.

Personality, Influence & Quotations

Schaff was noted for combining rigorous intellect with Christian piety and ecumenical openness.

He is sometimes described as a “mediator between German and Anglo-American theology,” bridging European theological depth with the evolving religious landscape of America.

One frequently cited reflection from Schaff (via Ligonier) is:

“We find everywhere in this world the traces of a revealed God and of a hidden God; revealed enough to strengthen our faith, concealed enough to try our faith.”

Another representative sentiment (though less often in pithy quotation form) is his conviction that history and ideas, not just facts, are the “main thing in history,” because they shape how a people understands itself in time.

Lessons from Philip Schaff’s Life

1. Bridge-building in theology
   Schaff’s work teaches that theology can be both rooted and expansive—honoring tradition without stagnation, and open to reform without fragmenting.

2. The value of historical consciousness
   His insistence that Christians understand their history helps avoid shallow faith or presentism; knowing where a tradition comes from can inform where it ought to go.

3. Scholarship as service
   Schaff did not view theology purely as academic exercise, but as intellectual ministry—translating patristic works, fostering unity, reforming practice.

4. Courage amid controversy
   He endured accusations of heresy yet maintained composure, integrity, and theological clarity in defense of his convictions.

5. Lifelong engagement and adaptability
   Though starting in Europe, he migrated to America, adapted to a new ecclesial context, and remained relevant in evolving theological debates for decades.

Conclusion

Philip Schaff remains a towering figure in 19th-century theology and church history. His scholarship, editorial labors, ecumenical vision, and balanced theological stance have left an imprint on how Christians understand their past, their unity, and their calling in the world.