Hermann Kutter (1863–1931) was a

Swiss Swiss most commonly refers to: * the adjectival form of Switzerland * Swiss people Swiss may also refer to: Places * Swiss, Missouri * Swiss, North Carolina * Swiss, West Virginia * Swiss, Wisconsin Other uses * Swiss Café, an old café located ...

Protestant Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that emphasizes Justification (theology), justification of sinners Sola fide, through faith alone, the teaching that Salvation in Christianity, salvation comes by unmerited Grace in Christianity, divin ...

theologian Theology is the study of religious belief from a religious perspective, with a focus on the nature of divinity. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of ...

. Together with Leonhard Ragaz, he was one of the founders of

Christian socialism Christian socialism is a Religious philosophy, religious and political philosophy that blends Christianity and socialism, endorsing socialist economics on the basis of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. Many Christian socialists believe cap ...

Switzerland Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland ...

. He was heavily influenced by Christoph Blumhardt. He combined Blumhardt's expectation of a coming Kingdom of

God In monotheistic belief systems, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator, and principal object of faith. In polytheistic belief systems, a god is "a spirit or being believed to have created, or for controlling some part of the un ...

with a belief in

socialist Socialism is an economic ideology, economic and political philosophy encompassing diverse Economic system, economic and social systems characterised by social ownership of the means of production, as opposed to private ownership. It describes ...

progress. He saw

social democracy Social democracy is a Social philosophy, social, Economic ideology, economic, and political philosophy within socialism that supports Democracy, political and economic democracy and a gradualist, reformist, and democratic approach toward achi ...

as a "tool" of the living God, and its followers as unwitting servants of God. He authored 11 books.

Biography

Early life and academic pursuits

Hermann Kutter, born on September 12, 1863, in Bern, Switzerland, was the son of Wilhelm Rudolf and Maria Albertine König. Raised in a pietistic household, Kutter's formative years were deeply influenced by the religious atmosphere of his family. His academic journey led him to study theology in Basel and Berlin, culminating in a Licentiate in Theology earned in 1896. Ordained in 1886, Kutter commenced his pastoral career, beginning in Vinelz in 1887 and later serving at Zürich's Neumünster from 1898 to 1926. His early inclination towards academia was evident, driven by a desire for a broader understanding of faith and spirituality.

Theological contributions and social engagement

Hermann Kutter's theological outlook was molded by encounters with thinkers like Christoph Blumhardt and philosophical influences from Kant, Fichte, and Schelling. Notably, his work "Das Unmittelbare, eine Menschheitsfrage" (1902) challenged prevailing theological intellectualism, advocating for a direct experience of the divine. Kutter's engagement extended beyond theology; in "Sie müssen" (1904), he expressed support for social democracy as a divine instrument. His publication "Wir Pfarrer" (1907) cautioned against narrow social pastoral activities, emphasizing the preaching of a living God. However, political differences emerged, leading to a distancing from Leonhard Ragaz during World War I. Despite this, Kutter's lasting impact on dialectical theology and his role as a prominent figure in Swiss religious socialism endure as key aspects of his legacy. In recognition of his contributions, he received an honorary doctorate in theology from the University of Zurich in 1923.

Philosophy

Under the impression of a combination of the Christian expectation of the Kingdom of God, the

life Life, also known as biota, refers to matter that has biological processes, such as Cell signaling, signaling and self-sustaining processes. It is defined descriptively by the capacity for homeostasis, Structure#Biological, organisation, met ...

philosophies of the time, and the socialistic faith in the future of the younger Blumhardt, as well as the

philosophy Philosophy ('love of wisdom' in Ancient Greek) is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, Value (ethics and social sciences), value, mind, and language. It is a rational an ...

German idealism German idealism is a philosophical movement that emerged in Germany in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It developed out of the work of Immanuel Kant in the 1780s and 1790s, and was closely linked both with Romanticism and the revolutionary ...

, Kutter reached a dynamic view of God: God, who through Christ penetrates

humankind Humans (''Homo sapiens'') or modern humans are the most common and widespread species of primate, and the last surviving species of the genus ''Homo''. They are great apes characterized by their hairlessness, bipedalism, and high intelligen ...

and the world in eternal reality is the only reality of life. With this theocentric theology Kutter paved the way for so-called " dialectical theology" (

Karl Barth Karl Barth (; ; – ) was a Swiss Reformed theologian. Barth is best known for his commentary '' The Epistle to the Romans'', his involvement in the Confessing Church, including his authorship (except for a single phrase) of the Barmen Decl ...

, Emil Brunner, Eduard Thurneysen). For Kutter, the return to "direct life" is completed in the history of humankind; socialism is a sign of this. But for Kutter this return to the direct is at the same time the meaning and goal of Christendom. For him,

social democrat Social democracy is a Social philosophy, social, Economic ideology, economic, and political philosophy within socialism that supports Democracy, political and economic democracy and a gradualist, reformist, and democratic approach toward achi ...

s are instruments of the living God; "they must" proclaim to the world the judgment and the great turning point in their service to God, without realizing it themselves. Nonetheless, Kutter never joined the Social Democratic Party (as Leonhard Ragaz and Karl Barth did); neither did he identify the gospel with socialism. He was a pacifist.

Pastoral visionary

Beyond Hermann Kutter's academic pursuits, his pastoral career and social advocacy were integral to his life's work. Ordained in 1886, he began his pastoral journey in Vinelz in 1887, cultivating a reputation for connecting with congregants. His subsequent move to Zürich's Neumünster in 1898 marked a significant chapter in his pastoral service, where he continued to impact the lives of those he served. Kutter's approach to pastoral care was characterized by a balance between spiritual guidance and a commitment to addressing social issues. In the early 20th century, his work "Sie müssen" (1904) notably expressed his positive stance towards social democracy, framing it as a tool aligned with divine intentions. Additionally, his active involvement with organizations like the Knights of St. John and YMI, along with volunteering for Meals on Wheels, underscored his dedication to community well-being.

Theological pioneer

Hermann Kutter's intellectual legacy extended far beyond his immediate pastoral and social engagements. Inspired by the eschatological ideas of Christoph Blumhardt, Kutter's theological approach emphasized a clear distinction between the Kingdom of God and the worldly realm. His writings, such as "Das Unmittelbare, eine Menschheitsfrage" (1902), were instrumental in shaping early dialectical theology, influencing subsequent theologians like Karl Barth, Emil Brunner, and Eduard Thurneysen. Kutter's commitment to theological renewal and his insistence on the immediate experience of God left an indelible mark on the theological landscape of his time. Despite political differences and theological debates, Kutter's enduring influence is evident in the continued exploration of his ideas by scholars and theologians in the realms of religious socialism and dialectical theology.

References

External links

'They Must' by Hermann Kutter (1908) Online
Internet Archive: Details: They must; or God and the social democracy: a frank word to christian men and women
at www.archive.org *Works by Hermann Kutter https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL1246376A/Hermann_Kutter {{DEFAULTSORT:Kutter, Hermann 1863 births 1931 deaths Calvinist and Reformed Christian socialists Calvinist pacifists People from Bern Swiss Christian socialists Swiss Calvinist and Reformed theologians Christian socialist theologians Swiss Christian pacifists