Editor’S Preface
EDITOR’S PREFACE
After the publication of Johann Gerhard’s commonplaces On the Nature of God and On the Trinity (Exegesis 1625), Concordia Publishing House has decided to revise the first volume of its publication of the Theological Commonplaces. This revised edition allows us the opportunity to bring the commonplace On Scripture, together with its preface On the Nature of Theology, into line with the rest of the series. Thus, in keeping with the plan for the entire series, we have carefully compared the English translation to the original Latin and added annotations, a glossary, indices, a list of the works cited, and other typographic improvements. In addition, Gerhard’s two dedicatory epistles, included in the first volume of Preuss’s edition of the Loci Theologici, have been translated by the Rev. Heath R. Curtis and included here. In this volume, Gerhard sets forth the authority of all of Holy Scripture, while at the same time emphasizing Jesus Christ as the center of Scripture. The ultimate goal of Scripture, Gerhard reminds us, is the glory of God and the salvation of human beings. This, too, is the goal of Gerhard’s writing.
I would like to give public thanks to the Rev. Paul T. McCain, publisher and executive director of the Editorial Division of Concordia Publishing House, for his leadership in bringing about this publication, the first full translation of Gerhard’s Theological Commonplaces into any language. In addition, I would like to acknowledge the hard work expended by Dawn Mirly Weinstock, production editor for the series; by Dr. Richard Dinda, the translator; and by several experts in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and early modern philosophy, especially the Rev. Heath R. Curtis, Dr. Christopher Mitchell, and Dr. Richard A. Muller. May this English edition be to the glory of God the Holy Trinity and to the edification of His Church.
Benjamin T. G. Mayes