Editing Franz Xaver von Baader (section)

==Theology==
Baader's philosophy is thus essentially a form of [[theosophy (history of philosophy)|theosophy]].{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}} God is not to be conceived as mere abstract Being ({{langx|la|substantia}}) but as the primary [[will (philosophy)|Will]] at the basis of all things and an everlasting process or activity (''{{lang|la|actus}}'').{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}} This process functions as a self-generation of God, in which we may distinguish two aspects—the immanent or esoteric and the eminent or exoteric.{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}} Only insofar as the "primitive will" thinks or is conscious of itself can it distinguish knower and known, producer and produced, from which proceeds the power to become spirit.{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}} God has His reality only insofar as He is absolute spirit.{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}} The [[Trinity]] (called ''{{lang|la|Ternar}}'' in Baader) is not a given but is rendered possible, is mirrored in, and takes place through the eternal and impersonal idea or wisdom of God, which exists beside through not distinct from the "primitive will".{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}} Personality and concrete reality is given to separate aspects of this Trinity through nature, which is eternally and necessarily produced by God.{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}} These aspects of existence do not occur successively within time but occur ''{{lang|la|[[sub specie aeternitatis]]}}'' as necessary elements of the self-evolution of divine Being.{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}} Its "nature" is not to be confused with the [[nature]] of [[Creation (mythology)|Creation]], which is an unnecessary, free, and non-temporal act of God's love and will which cannot be speculatively deduced but must be accepted as a historic fact.{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}}

Created beings were originally of three orders: the intelligent or [[angel]]s; the non-intelligent material world; and [[humans|man]], who mediated between them.{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}} Angels and man were endowed with [[free will (theology)|freedom]]. The [[Fall of Adam]] and [[Fallen angel|Lucifer]] were historic facts which were possible, though not necessary.{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}} Baader considered the angels to have fallen through a desire to ascend to equality with God (i.e., [[pride]]) and man through permitting himself to sink to the level of nature (via the [[seven deadly sins|various bodily sins]]).{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}} Baader considered that the world as we know it—with [[time]], [[space]], and [[matter]]—only began after the fall of mankind and was created as a gift from God permitting humanity the opportunity for [[redemption (theology)|redemption]].{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}} Baader developed theories of [[physiology]] and [[anthropology]] over a number of works based upon this understanding of the universe, but in the main coincides with the ideas of Böhme.{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}} Principally, he traces the adverse effects of various [[sin]]s and advocates the restoration of natural harmonies by its removal.{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}}

His system of [[ethics]] rejects the idea that obedience to moral laws alone (as in [[Kantianism]]) is enough. Instead, though humanity has lost the ability to accomplish this on its own, it is necessary to realize and participate in our place in the divine order.{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}} As [[grace (Christianity)|grace]] is required for such a realization, no ethical theory neglecting sin and [[redemption (theology)|redemption]] is satisfactory or even possible.{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=174}} [[Good works|Mere works]] are never sufficient, but [[Christ]]'s healing virtue must be received, chiefly through [[prayer]] and the [[Catholic Sacraments|sacraments of the church]].{{sfn|Adamson|1878|pp=174–175}}

Baader was regarded as among the greatest speculative theologians of 19th-century [[Catholicism]] and influenced, among others, [[Richard Rothe]], [[Julius Müller (theologian)|Julius Müller]], and [[Hans Lassen Martensen]].{{sfn|Adamson|1878|p=175}}