📘 Lexicon Entry: Sachkritik

German term meaning “subject-matter criticism” – critical evaluation of biblical interpretation based on the subject matter (Sache) of Scripture itself, particularly Christ as the interpretive criterion for distinguishing authentic from inauthentic theological claims

German theological term meaning "subject-matter criticism" that provides a critical method for evaluating biblical interpretation based on Scripture’s own subject matter rather than external criteria. Developed in German biblical criticism to distinguish authentic from inauthentic traditions, Sachkritik establishes Christ as the interpretive criterion for theological claims. This approach was adopted by Karl Barth as an alternative to both historical positivism and theological liberalism, providing a theological criterion for evaluating biblical interpretation. Sachkritik complements Backward Vector methodology by establishing the evaluative criterion for retrospective interpretation, working with Retrospective Logic to distinguish authentic from inauthentic theological reasoning. This method provides essential diagnostic tools for identifying theological mutations like Primitive Biblicism, Binary Apocalypticism, and Practical Atheism by testing their consistency with Scripture’s own interpretive center.

Theological Alternative

subject matter criticism, biblical interpretation, theological method, Christ as criterion, German biblical criticism, Barth, hermeneutics

Geevarghese-Uffman, Craig. “Sachkritik.” *Political Theology Lexicon*. https://www.commonlifepolitics.com/p/lexicon. Accessed [date].

Critical evaluation of biblical interpretation based on Scripture’s own subject matter rather than external frameworks

Christ as interpretive criterion for distinguishing authentic from inauthentic theological claims

Scripture’s internal criterion judging external methods rather than conforming to them

Theological content taking priority over methodological considerations

External interpretive frameworks imposed on Scripture without subject-matter evaluation

Uniform treatment of all biblical texts without discrimination based on theological content

Methodological approaches that distort rather than illuminate biblical content

Subordination of Scripture’s subject matter to external practical or ideological purposes

Establishes Christ as subject matter criterion for evaluating interpretations

Distinguishes culturally conditioned elements from theological essentials

Provides method for identifying when interpretive approaches distort biblical content

Enables theological communities to maintain biblical authority while exercising critical discernment

Tests theological claims by consistency with Christ’s self-revelation

Integrates with canonical criticism and theological interpretation movements

Emerges from tension between historical criticism and theological interpretation in 19th-20th centuries

Responds to crisis of biblical authority in modern theology

Provides alternative to both liberal accommodation and fundamentalist reaction

Integrates with post-critical biblical interpretation and canonical approaches

Christ as criterion for interpreting Scripture John 5:39 – "These are they that testify on my behalf"

Paul’s distinction between letter and Spirit 2 Corinthians 3:6 – Subject matter judges interpretive method

"Test everything; hold fast to what is good" 1 Thessalonians 5:21 – Critical evaluation based on gospel truth

Christ as interpretive key Luke 24:27 – "Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures"

Critical evaluation of biblical interpretation based on theological consistency with gospel

Christocentric reading that judges interpretations by conformity to Christ’s self-revelation

Tool for identifying ideological distortions in biblical interpretation

Method for distinguishing culturally conditioned elements from theological essentials

Integration with canonical criticism and theological interpretation movements

Used by Rudolf Bultmann and others to identify kerygmatic core of New Testament

Refined in contemporary biblical studies as christocentric hermeneutic

Integrates with canonical criticism and theological interpretation movements

Provides diagnostic framework for evaluating theological trends and movements

Related Methodological Concepts: Backward Vector, Retrospective Logic, Analogia Fidei

Critical Alternatives: Historical Criticism, Literary Criticism, Ideological Criticism, Fundamentalism

Application Context: Analogical Reading, Participatory Hermeneutics

Challenged Mutations: Primitive Biblicism, Binary Apocalypticism, Practical Atheism

May 26, 2025

*This entry is part of the Political Theology Lexicon, accessible exclusively to subscribers. View the complete lexicon to explore related concepts and the full theoretical framework.*

Developed in German biblical criticism to distinguish authentic from inauthentic traditions

Used by Rudolf Bultmann and others to identify kerygmatic core of New Testament

Adopted by Karl Barth as theological criterion for evaluating biblical interpretation

Refined in contemporary biblical studies as christocentric hermeneutic

Developed as alternative to both historical positivism and theological liberalism

Primitive Biblicism violates Sachkritik by treating all biblical texts as equally normative without subject-matter evaluation

Binary Apocalypticism fails Sachkritik test by imposing dualistic frameworks that contradict Christ’s reconciling work

Contractual Soteriology distorts Sachkritik by reading contractual categories into participatory texts

Practical Atheism revealed through Sachkritik as reading Scripture for purposes external to its subject matter

Tribal Epistemology contradicts Sachkritik by subordinating Scripture’s subject matter to group identity

Sachkritik versus Historical Criticism: Subject matter judgment versus purely historical evaluation

Sachkritik versus Literary Criticism: Theological content versus literary form

Sachkritik versus Ideological Criticism: Scripture’s own criterion versus external political frameworks

Sachkritik versus Fundamentalism: Subject matter discrimination versus uniform textual authority