📘 Lexicon Entry: Sachkritik

Short Definition
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
Definition
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.
Category
Theological Alternative
Keywords
subject matter criticism, biblical interpretation, theological method, Christ as criterion, German biblical criticism, Barth, hermeneutics
Citation Guide
Geevarghese-Uffman, Craig. “Sachkritik.” *Political Theology Lexicon*. https://www.commonlifepolitics.com/p/lexicon. Accessed [date].
Orthodox Alternatives
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
Mutated Position
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
Key Characteristics
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
Theological Foundations
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
Biblical Foundation
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"
Contemporary Expression
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
Academic Research
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
Key Authors
Last Updated
May 26, 2025
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*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.*
Historical Development
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
Application to Mutations
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
Critical Distinctions
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
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