PFLEIDERER, OTTO. - Protestant theologian, b. at Stetten (Württemberg) on 1 Sept. 1839, d. at Berlin on 18 Aug. 1908.
A pastor, professor of practical theology at Jena, then of systematic theology at Berlin, he followed the directives and methods of the Tübingen school, identifying theology with the historical-philological exegesis of the Bible and with the study of environmental influences upon the interpretation of the data of Revelation, and no longer with the analysis and justification of professions of faith. In his interpretation of primitive Christianity he emphasized its derivation from Hellenism; in internal theological controversy he established himself as an exponent of German “liberal” theology.
Principal works: Der Paulinismus (1873); Religionsphilosophie auf geschichtl. Grundlage (1878); Grundriss der christl. Glaubens-und Sittenlehre (1886); Das Urchristentum (1887); Das Christubild des urchristl. Glaubens in religionsgeschichtl. Beleuchtung (1903).