On the End of the World and On Hell

About This Volume

On the End of the World and On Hell consists of two of Johann Gerhard's commonplaces. The first, On the End of the World, considers the transition of fallen creation to the New Heaven and New Earth in the Eschaton through Gerhard's position that, besides mankind and the angels, all of creation will be totally annihilated before being made new. Within, Gerhard devotes the most pages to the chapters "On the Form of the Consummation" and "On the Attendant Circumstances of the Consummation of the Age," covering his annihilation position and dealing with several Chiliastic/Millennialistic controversies.

The second, On Hell, or Eternal Death, provides a comprehensive, scriptural argument for the existence of Hell, against the teaching Universal Salvation apart from faith in Christ. It continues by examining the structure of Hell through the methodology of the four Aristotelian causes. Yet, this commonplace remains resolutely hopeful, as Gerhard repeatedly emphasizes the importance of these teachings to instill rightly ordered fear of God in the Christian life.

About This Series

The Theological Commonplaces series is the first-ever English translation of Gerhard's monumental Loci Theologici. Gerhard was the premier Lutheran theologian of the early seventeenth century. Combining his profound understanding of evangelical Lutheran theology with a broad interest in ethics and culture, he produced significant works on biblical, doctrinal, pastoral, and devotional theology. Gerhard interacts with the writings of the church fathers, Luther and his contemporaries, and the Catholic and Calvinist theologians of his day. His 17-volume Loci is regarded as the standard compendium of Lutheran orthodoxy, with topics ranging from the proper understanding and interpretation of Scripture to eschatology.

Useful for research on Lutheran doctrine, Gerhard's accessible style makes this a must-have on the bookshelf of pastors and professional church workers.

Each embossed hardback volume includes

- the translation of Gerhard's Loci (originally published from 1610 to 1625)

- a glossary of key theological, rhetorical, and philosophical terms

- a name index

- a Scripture index

- a carefully researched works cited list that presents guidance for deciphering the numerous abbreviations of the other titles from which Gerhard quotes.