On the Nature of Theology and Scripture

Name: On the Nature of Theology and Scripture
Author: Johann Gerhard

Johann Gerhard

Theology

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Chapters 426

Manufactured in the United States of America ≈ 2 min
CONTENTS ≈ 8 min
PUBLISHER’S PREFACE ≈ 6 min
EDITOR’S PREFACE ≈ 2 min
INTRODUCTION ≈ 4 min
GERHARD THE WRITER ≈ 5 min
GERHARD’S U SE OF ARISTOTELIAN AND SCHOLASTIC CATEGORIES ≈ 3 min
EDITIONS OF THE THEOLOGICAL COMMONPLACES ≈ 4 min
COMPARISON OF EDITIONS OF GERHARD’S LOCI ≈ 7 min
DEDICATORY EPISTLES ≈ 22 min
8 That is, baptized. ≈ 35 min
Second, homonyms. ≈ 69 min
The logic of the order. ≈ 2 min
Chapter I: Nomenclature includes: (1) Etymology, § 2. (2) Homonyms, § 3. (3) Synonyms, § 9. The factual material explain ≈ 24 min
Chapter II: The efficient cause of Scripture is either principal or instrumental. The principal cause is the true God, o ≈ 1 min
First, the principal [efficient cause], which is God. ≈ 26 min
Second, the instrumental causes, which are the holy men of God. ≈ 2 min
Question 1: Whether God wanted His Word to be written. ≈ 12 min
Question 2: Whether Scripture was necessary. ≈ 12 min
§ 31. (2) Bellarmine declares: ≈ 35 min
Chapter III: The authority of Scripture arises from and depends on the principal efficient cause (God), § 33. ≈ 59 min
4 Something added to or connected with; an essential feature. ≈ 17 min
Chapter IV: The material of Scripture is the holy things reduced to writing by the will of God, which are contained in t ≈ 5 min
Chapters V: The books of the Bible are distinguished in various ways, § 55. ≈ 13 min
Chapters VI: But among all the divisions, that one stands out by which they are distinguished between canonical and apoc ≈ 1 min
Why they are so called. ≈ 4 min
Which and how many there are. ≈ 4 min
Which are the apocryphal books? ≈ 1 min
The ambiguity of the word “apocryphal.” ≈ 3 min
[First, from the instrumental efficient cause.] ≈ 5 min
Second, from their external form. ≈ 3 min
Third, from the subject matter. ≈ 2 min
A posteriori. First, those controversial books are not quoted by Christ and the apostles. ≈ 2 min
Second, they lack the testimony of the Israelite church. ≈ 14 min
Third, they lack the testimony of the early Christian Church. ≈ 3 min
The Council of Laodicea. ≈ 12 min
Melito. ≈ 4 min
Eusebius of Pamphilus. ≈ 1 min
Cyril of Jerusalem. ≈ 1 min
Epiphanius. ≈ 2 min
Amphilochius. ≈ 1 min
Nazianzen. ≈ 1 min
Origen. ≈ 1 min
Athanasius. ≈ 1 min
The Trullan Synod. ≈ 1 min
The Damascene. ≈ 2 min
Hilary. ≈ 1 min
Jerome. ≈ 3 min
Rufinus. ≈ 3 min
Philastrius. ≈ 1 min
Gregory. ≈ 1 min
The Glossa ordinaria of the Bible. ≈ 2 min
The gloss of the Jus canonicum. ≈ 1 min
Cardinal Hugh [of St. Cher]. ≈ 1 min
Cajetan. ≈ 1 min
Archbishop Antoninus of Florence. ≈ 1 min
Rabanus. ≈ 1 min
Erasmus. ≈ 1 min
Petrus Cluniacensis. ≈ 1 min
Hugh of St. Victor. ≈ 1 min
Junilius Africanus. ≈ 1 min
The author of De mirabilibus scripturae. ≈ 9 min
The approval of the Papists themselves. ≈ 2 min
The exceptions of the Papists: First, that the canon of the Jews must be distinguished from that of Christians. ≈ 5 min
Second, that one must distinguish between protocanonical and deuterocanonical books. ≈ 6 min
Third, that it is one thing not to accept but another to reject. ≈ 3 min
Fourth, that we must distinguish between the time when the canon was not yet completely established and when it was announced by public auth ≈ 3 min
The arguments of the Papists: First, that the apostles declared that these books were canonical. ≈ 6 min
Second, that the councils and fathers consider those books as canonical. ≈ 18 min
Third, that the fathers cite testimonies from these books. ≈ 4 min
Question 1: Whether some canonical books have perished. ≈ 11 min
Question 2: Whether the prophetic books were consumed in the burning of Jerusalem and were restored by Ezra. ≈ 13 min
Question 3: Whether Ezra restored corrupted books. ≈ 3 min
Question 4: Whether Ezra invented new Hebrew letters. ≈ 12 min
6 End of the fourth century. ≈ 3 min
Chapters VII: The canonical books of the Old Testament specifically, § 118. ≈ 1 min
Genesis. ≈ 5 min
Exodus. ≈ 2 min
Leviticus. ≈ 1 min
Numbers. ≈ 1 min
Deuteronomy. ≈ 5 min
Joshua. ≈ 2 min
Judges. ≈ 4 min
Ruth. ≈ 3 min
The two Books of Samuel. ≈ 2 min
The two Books of Kings. ≈ 7 min
The two Books of Chronicles. ≈ 5 min
The two Books of Ezra. ≈ 4 min
Esther. ≈ 2 min
Job. ≈ 31 min
The Psalter. ≈ 13 min
The Proverbs. ≈ 2 min
Ecclesiastes. ≈ 5 min
Song of Songs. ≈ 5 min
Isaiah. ≈ 6 min
Jeremiah. ≈ 4 min
Lamentations. ≈ 2 min
Ezekiel. ≈ 3 min
Daniel. ≈ 2 min
Hosea. ≈ 2 min
Joel. ≈ 2 min
Amos. ≈ 3 min
Obadiah. ≈ 2 min
Jonah. ≈ 3 min
Micah. ≈ 1 min
Nahum. ≈ 1 min
Habakkuk. ≈ 1 min
Zephaniah. ≈ 2 min
Haggai. ≈ 1 min
Zechariah. ≈ 2 min
Malachi. ≈ 22 min
3 and 4 Ezra. ≈ 8 min
3 and 4 Maccabees. ≈ 7 min
The Prayer of Manasseh. ≈ 2 min
The appendix to the Book of Job. ≈ 2 min
The Book of Tobit. It is not found in the Hebrew sources. ≈ 1 min
The Greek version does not agree with the Latin. ≈ 6 min
It conflicts with historical truth. ≈ 9 min
It has some things that do not agree with canonical truth. ≈ 15 min
The fathers remove it from the canon. ≈ 1 min
As do some of the Papists. ≈ 1 min
Antithesis. ≈ 4 min
The Book of Judith. ≈ 1 min
It does not agree with historical truth. ≈ 22 min
It is not at all in harmony with the analogy of faith. ≈ 5 min
It is excluded from the canon by the Israelite church and the early Christian church. ≈ 2 min
Antithesis. ≈ 12 min
The seven last chapters of the Book of Esther. ≈ 2 min
They were not written in Hebrew but in Greek. ≈ 5 min
They were not written by a prophet. ≈ 2 min
They conflict with the canonical Book of Esther. ≈ 8 min
It conflicts with historical truth. ≈ 6 min
It is excluded from the canon by the Israelite church and the early Christian church. ≈ 3 min
Some Papists number it among the apocryphal writings. ≈ 4 min
Antithesis. ≈ 13 min
The Book of Wisdom. ≈ 26 min
It contains some matters not in harmony with the analogy of faith. ≈ 2 min
It lacks the unanimous approval of the early Church. ≈ 3 min
Antithesis. ≈ 16 min
It contains some things not in harmony with the analogy of faith. ≈ 2 min
Antithesis. ≈ 13 min
It is not written in the prophetic language. ≈ 1 min
It conflicts with the canonical books. ≈ 2 min
It conflicts with historical truth. ≈ 1 min
The more sensible Papists reject it. ≈ 1 min
Antithesis. ≈ 2 min
They are not found in Hebrew. ≈ 5 min
They were not written by a prophet. ≈ 5 min
They lack the approval of the Church. ≈ 1 min
The more sensible Papists reject them. ≈ 2 min
Antithesis. ≈ 1 min
The two Books of Maccabees. ≈ 1 min
They are not written in the prophetic language. ≈ 1 min
They do not have the testimony of Christ nor of the apostles in the New Testament. ≈ 1 min
Bellarmine makes the exception: ≈ 5 min
They contain discordant matters. ≈ 7 min
Bellarmine makes the exception: ≈ 7 min
They contain some matters not consistent with the analogy of faith. ≈ 4 min
The Israelite church did not accept them into the canon. ≈ 6 min
Some Papists remove them from the canon. ≈ 2 min
Antithesis. ≈ 8 min
Whether there are some apocryphal books among the New Testament books. ≈ 19 min
The canonical books of the New Testament of the first rank: The Gospel of Matthew. ≈ 6 min
The Gospel of Mark. ≈ 4 min
The Gospel of Luke. ≈ 5 min
The Gospel of John. ≈ 30 min
The Acts of the Apostles. ≈ 9 min
The thirteen Pauline Epistles. ≈ 5 min
Romans. ≈ 2 min
1 Corinthians. ≈ 3 min
2 Corinthians. ≈ 2 min
Galatians. ≈ 2 min
Ephesians. ≈ 2 min
Philippians. ≈ 1 min
Colossians. ≈ 2 min
1 Thessalonians. ≈ 2 min
2 Thessalonians. ≈ 1 min
1 Timothy. ≈ 1 min
2 Timothy. ≈ 1 min
Titus. ≈ 1 min
Philemon. ≈ 1 min
1 Peter. ≈ 10 min
1 John. ≈ 3 min
The Epistle to the Hebrews. ≈ 40 min
The Epistle of James. ≈ 20 min
2 Peter. ≈ 8 min
2 and 3 John. ≈ 7 min
The Epistle of Jude. ≈ 15 min
Revelation. ≈ 47 min
Chapters XI: The apocryphal and rejected books of the New Testament, § 301. ≈ 17 min
The internal form of Scripture. ≈ 2 min
The external form. ≈ 13 min
Chapter XIII: From the fact that the Old Testament was written by holy men of God in the Hebrew language, and the New Te ≈ 30 min
Antithesis. ≈ 8 min
The Hebrew text is not corrupt. ≈ 2 min
First, not by the malice of the Jews. ≈ 11 min
Second, nor by the carelessness of scribes. ≈ 12 min
Antithesis. ≈ 11 min
Examples of corruption adduced by Bellarmine: First, Isaiah 9:6: “He will call Him.” ≈ 4 min
Second, Jeremiah 23:6: “He will call Him.” ≈ 3 min
Third, Psalm 22:[16]. ≈ 5 min
Fourth, Psalm 19:4: “their voice.” ≈ 5 min
Fifth, complete sentences are missing. ≈ 5 min
The vowel points are as old as the Hebrew text. ≈ 8 min
We prove this, first, from Christ’s assertion in Matthew 5:18. ≈ 6 min
Second, from the nature and condition of the vowel points. ≈ 6 min
Third, from the peril of ambiguity and uncertainty. ≈ 10 min
Fourth, from the perspicuity of Scripture. ≈ 6 min
Fifth, from the perfection of Scripture. ≈ 2 min
Sixth, from the Jews’ reverence toward Scripture. ≈ 2 min
Seventh, from the consequence of absurdities. ≈ 3 min
Antithesis. ≈ 7 min
Contrary arguments: First, from the perfection of the Hebrew language. ≈ 2 min
Second, from the quoting of the Greek version in the Old Testament. ≈ 2 min
Third, from the diverse readings of proper names. ≈ 2 min
Fourth, from the condition of the dagesh and of the pointing of the shin. ≈ 2 min
Fifth, from an ignorance of Hebrew poetry. ≈ 2 min
Sixth, from the omission of the vowel points in today’s writings of the Hebrews. ≈ 2 min
Seventh, from the suppression of the vowel points. ≈ 3 min
Eighth, from the Chaldaic name for certain vowels. ≈ 2 min
Ninth, from the omission of Jerome. ≈ 4 min
The Greek text in the New Testament was not corrupted. ≈ 7 min
Antithesis. ≈ 5 min
First, 1 Corinthians 15:47: “The second man is from heaven.” ≈ 5 min
Second, 1 Corinthians 7:[34]: “and he is divided.” ≈ 4 min
Third, Romans 12:11: “serving the Lord.” ≈ 3 min
Fourth, some parts of Scripture are missing. ≈ 3 min
Fifth, some things in them are superfluous. ≈ 6 min
The end of Scripture: First, with respect to God. ≈ 1 min
Second, with respect to us. ≈ 8 min
The effects of Holy Scripture. ≈ 7 min
Scripture is perfect. ≈ 5 min
We prove this, first, from its clear appellation in Psalm 19:7. ≈ 8 min
Second, from its principal efficient cause. ≈ 2 min
Third, from its material. ≈ 7 min
Exceptions to the passages Deuteronomy 4:2 and 12:32. ≈ 11 min
Exceptions to the passage John 20:31. ≈ 8 min
Exceptions to the passage Galatians 1:8. ≈ 5 min
Exception to the passage 2 Timothy 3:15. ≈ 15 min
Exception to the passage Revelation 22:18. ≈ 2 min
Fourth, from its end and effect. ≈ 6 min
Statements of the ancients regarding the perfection of Scripture. ≈ 17 min
The confession of the Scholastics and of certain Papists. ≈ 7 min
Antithesis: Of the Papists. ≈ 3 min
Their arguments: First, that either the entire canon taken together is sufficient or the individual books by themselves are sufficient. ≈ 3 min
Second, that the apostles did not write in accordance with God’s mandate. ≈ 2 min
Third, that many necessary things are not contained in Scripture: A remedy for women against original sin. ≈ 4 min
The remedy for males who die before their eighth day. ≈ 3 min
The justification of the Gentiles in the Old Testament. ≈ 2 min
The authority of the canonical books. ≈ 9 min
The understanding of Scripture. ≈ 4 min
The virginity of Mary. ≈ 3 min
The celebration of Easter on Sunday. ≈ 2 min
Infant Baptism. ≈ 1 min
Purgatory. ≈ 1 min
The perfection of Scripture. ≈ 1 min
The institution of the sacraments. ≈ 1 min
Antithesis: Of the Calvinists. ≈ 1 min
Antithesis: Of the Photinians. ≈ 2 min
Antithesis: Of the Weigelians. ≈ 1 min
Chapter XIX: Which excludes the necessity of traditions, § 394. ≈ 3 min
First, they are opposed to the written Word of God. ≈ 7 min
Second, they derive from Pharisaism. ≈ 5 min
They are the characteristic of heretics. ≈ 2 min
Fourth, they are fallacious and uncertain. ≈ 4 min
Fifth, they have not come from Christ and the apostles. ≈ 7 min
Statements of the fathers. ≈ 3 min
Antithesis. ≈ 14 min
Arguments in favor of traditions: First, John 16:12: “I yet have many things to say to you.” John 21:25: “But there are also many other thin ≈ 15 min
We respond. (1) The same faulty logic is coming back: ≈ 7 min
Third, 2 Thessalonians 2:15: “Hold to the traditions.” ≈ 9 min
Fourth, 1 Timothy 6:20: “Guard the deposit.” ≈ 7 min
Fifth, 2 John 12 and 3 John 13: “I have many things to write to you.” ≈ 4 min
The testimony of the Papists, councils, and fathers. ≈ 3 min
Rational arguments: First, from the consensus of heretics in despising traditions. ≈ 3 min
Second, from the custom of all the heathen. ≈ 3 min
Third, from the dignity of the Catholic Church. ≈ 2 min
Fourth, from the dignity of the divine mysteries. ≈ 3 min
Chapter XX: (2) And perspicuity, § 414. ≈ 3 min
This is proved, first, from statements of Scripture. ≈ 5 min
Second, from its efficient cause. ≈ 1 min
Third, from an enumeration of its constituent parts. ≈ 6 min
Fourth, from the chief material and contents of Scripture. ≈ 3 min
Fifth, from an accidental outcome. ≈ 5 min
Sixth, from a comparison of the Old and New Testaments. ≈ 4 min
Seventh, from a deduction to the absurd. ≈ 4 min
Statements of the fathers. ≈ 16 min
The approval of our adversaries. ≈ 4 min
Antithesis: First, of the Papists. ≈ 3 min
Their arguments: First, Psalm 119:18: “Give me understanding.” ≈ 3 min
Third, 2 Peter 3:16. ≈ 3 min
Fourth, Daniel 12:4. ≈ 1 min
The testimony of the fathers. ≈ 1 min
Rational arguments. ≈ 6 min
Our testimony. ≈ 2 min
Second, the Calvinists. ≈ 5 min
Third, the Photinians. ≈ 26 min
This is proved: First, from its title. ≈ 11 min
Second, from God’s command. ≈ 9 min
Third, from the reformation of divine worship. ≈ 3 min
Fourth, from the appeal of Christ and His apostles to Scripture. ≈ 7 min
Fifth, from the commendation of Scripture. ≈ 2 min
Sixth, from the condition of a norm. ≈ 3 min
Seventh, from sufficient enumeration. ≈ 1 min
The statements of the fathers. ≈ 19 min
Antithesis: First, of the Papists. ≈ 15 min
Of the Weigelians. ≈ 1 min
Chapter XXII: And their infallible judge, § 453. ≈ 3 min
First, the principal, absolute, and authentic judge is God Himself. ≈ 5 min
Second, the ministerial and inferior judge is the Church. ≈ 5 min
Third, Scripture alone is the voice of the principal judge and the norm of the ministerial judge. ≈ 11 min
Statements of the fathers. ≈ 6 min
Therefore the judge is not: First, unregenerate man speaking according to the dictates of reason. ≈ 2 min
Second, the enthusiast who boasts of the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit. ≈ 3 min
Third, the Roman pontiff, boasting of the immediate assistance of the Holy Spirit. ≈ 4 min
Fourth, councils. ≈ 3 min
Fifth, the fathers. ≈ 1 min
Antithesis: First, of the Papists. ≈ 6 min
The arguments of the Papists: First, from the imperfection of Scripture. ≈ 4 min
Second, from a comparison with the civil commonwealth. ≈ 2 min
Third, from the disagreement of those who acknowledge Scripture as the judge. ≈ 3 min
Fourth, from the appeal of heretics to Scripture. ≈ 6 min
Fifth, from the condition of a judge. ≈ 4 min
Antithesis: Second, of the Calvinists. ≈ 2 min
Antithesis: Third, of the Photinians. ≈ 28 min
Arguments of the Photinians. ≈ 8 min
Fourth, the Weigelians. ≈ 4 min
Chapter XXIII: The object of Scripture is all human beings without exception, § 481. From this, it is concluded deductiv ≈ 3 min
We prove that the laity should read Scripture: First, from the divine command. ≈ 10 min
Second, from divine approval. ≈ 2 min
Third, from the intention of God and the holy men of God. ≈ 13 min
Fourth, from the fruit produced by this reading. ≈ 5 min
Fifth, from the corresponding form of proven examples. ≈ 2 min
Seventh, from a comparison of both similar and equal things. ≈ 1 min
Statements of the ancients. ≈ 15 min
The approval of some of our adversaries. ≈ 4 min
Antithesis. ≈ 7 min
Chapter XXIV: Now if the laity are not only to be allowed to read Scripture but also invited, then it must surely be nec ≈ 8 min
Antithesis. ≈ 3 min
The arguments of the Papists: First, from the history of the Old Testament. ≈ 6 min
Second, from the usage of the apostles. ≈ 3 min
Third, from the usage of the universal Church. ≈ 2 min
Fourth, from reason. ≈ 1 min
Fifth, from inconvenience. ≈ 9 min
Sixth, from the majesty of the divine offices. ≈ 2 min
Seventh, from the absurd. ≈ 1 min
Eighth, from the excellence of the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin languages. ≈ 4 min
Section I: On the Chaldaic Version of the Old Testament ≈ 9 min
Section II: On the Greek Translation of the Old Testament ≈ 13 min
Section III: On the Syriac Version of the New Testament ≈ 14 min
Section IV: On the Arabic Translation of Holy Scripture ≈ 5 min
Section V: On the Latin Vulgate Translation of the Bible ≈ 1 min
It is not Jerome’s work. ≈ 11 min
It departs from its sources. ≈ 3 min
It teems with many errors. ≈ 12 min
The fathers depart from it. ≈ 7 min
Antithesis. ≈ 9 min
The arguments of the Papists: First, from the antiquity of the translation. ≈ 3 min
Second, from the dignity of its commendation. ≈ 2 min
Third, from parity of nature. ≈ 2 min
Fourth, from the variety of translations. ≈ 2 min
Section VI: On Luther’s German Translation ≈ 5 min
Passages in which he is slandered by the Papists. ≈ 22 min
The necessity of interpretation. ≈ 1 min
Interpretation belongs to the ecclesiastical ministry. ≈ 2 min
Rules for the interpretation of Scripture: First, the meaning of Scripture is to be drawn out from Scripture itself. ≈ 11 min
Second, the interpretation of Scripture should be analogous to the faith. ≈ 3 min
Third, the more obscure and more rare things are to be explained from the clearer and more frequent things. ≈ 1 min
Fourth, the natural meaning of words and colloquial expressions are to be discovered from the sources. ≈ 2 min
Fifth, interpretation should be proper and literal. ≈ 2 min
Sixth, interpretation should agree with each passage’s aim, circumstances of parts, and order. ≈ 6 min
Seventh, one must consult the ancient and more recent interpreters. ≈ 3 min
Chapter XXVI: The use of this article is theoretical: (1) Teaching. (2) Refuting. And practical: (1) Admonishing. (2) Co ≈ 1 min
Chapter XXVII: The definition of Scripture can be formed from the preceding. Holy Scripture is the Word of God; by His w ≈ 1 min
GLOSSARY ≈ 8 min
NAME INDEX ≈ 46 min
Oecolampadius, Johannes, E1.431 ≈ 16 min
OLD TESTAMENT Genesis ≈ 3 min
Exodus ≈ 2 min
Numbers ≈ 1 min
Deuteronomy ≈ 2 min
Joshua ≈ 1 min
Judges ≈ 1 min
1 Kings ≈ 1 min
2 Kings ≈ 2 min
2 Chronicles ≈ 1 min
Ezra ≈ 1 min
Nehemiah ≈ 1 min
Esther ≈ 1 min
Job ≈ 1 min
Psalms ≈ 4 min
Proverbs ≈ 1 min
Isaiah ≈ 2 min
Jeremiah ≈ 1 min
Ezekiel ≈ 1 min
Daniel ≈ 1 min
Amos ≈ 1 min
Tobit ≈ 2 min
Judith ≈ 1 min
Additions to Esther ≈ 1 min
Wisdom (Wisdom of Solomon ) ≈ 1 min
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) ≈ 1 min
1 Maccabees ≈ 1 min
2 Maccabees ≈ 1 min
NEW TESTAMENT Matthew ≈ 4 min
Mark ≈ 1 min
Luke ≈ 3 min
John ≈ 4 min
Acts ≈ 4 min
Romans ≈ 3 min
1 Corinthians ≈ 3 min
2 Corinthians ≈ 2 min
Galatians ≈ 1 min
Ephesians ≈ 1 min
Colossians ≈ 1 min
1 Thessalonians ≈ 1 min
2 Thessalonians ≈ 1 min
1 Timothy ≈ 1 min
2 Timothy ≈ 2 min
Hebrews ≈ 2 min
James ≈ 1 min
1 Peter ≈ 1 min
2 Peter ≈ 1 min
1 John ≈ 1 min
Revelation ≈ 2 min
WORKS CITED ≈ 3 min

Author	Johann Gerhard
Language	English
Era	Reformation
Categories	Theology · Christian Classics
Length	426 chapters · ≈ 40 h 7 min read
Formats	Web Book · EPUB

On the Nature of Theology and Scripture

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