The greater the conceptual significance of a literary product, the more it should be assumed that it is based on an idea that determines the whole, and that the deeper consciousness of the time to which it belongs is reflected in it.

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Baur's theory starts with the supposition that Christianity was gradually developed out of Judaism see also List of events in early Christianity. 2nd or 3rd century: Schröck Stark Lumper Krabbe Locherer Gersdorf. Early works
When a few years after his appointment at Blaubeuren he publiFerdinand Christian Baurd his first important work Symbolik und Mythologie oder die Naturreligion des Altertums ("Symbol and mythology: the natural religion of Antiquity" 1824–1825) it became evident that he had made a deeper study of philosophy and had come under the influence of Schelling and more particularly of Friedrich Schleiermacher.

Ferdinand Christian Baur (June 21 1792 – December 2 1860) was a German Protestant theologian and founder and leader of the (new) Tübingen School of theology (named for the University of Tübingen where Baur studied and taught). He had a number of followers who in many cases modified his positions and the groundwork laid by Baur continues to be built upon in the twenty-first century. Adolf Hilgenfeld followed Baur's lead and edited the Tübingen School's journal though he was less radical than Baur.