One aspect of Gadamer’s critique of Enlightenment thinking is through challenging the way prejudice and authority are treated in the hermeneutical task. In his development of “effective historical consciousness” he views these aspects as greatly important in interpretation. This portion of his argument is especially significant for Christian theology because Enlightenment views of tradition and prejudice impact the Christian tradition. In Enlightenment thinking all prejudice is to be removed, which includes the authority given to Scripture. What he finds in this stance against prejudice is an adoption of “Cartesian doubt,” that nothing can be certain. Contra this assertion, Gadamer argues that all understanding involves some prejudice and
