On the Ministry I - Theological Commonplaces

About This Volume

On the Ministry I contains the first half of Gerhard's commonplace On the Ministry and focuses on the call and work of ministers both of civil and ecclesiastic power, where the second volume considers the power and duties of the ecclesiastic office specifically.

On the Ministry argues for the existence of the office of ministry since creation, with Adam as both ecclesial priest and civic ruler, called directly by God. Gerhard distinguishes between God's immediate call to ministry, such as his direct selection of the prophets or the apostle Paul, and the mediate call to the ministry, present through the calls extended by the church to ordained men. Concerning the specific practice of ordination, Gerhard calls it a good and proper practice, especially based on the exhortation to test and examine ministers in 1 Timothy, but does not regard it as sacrament or divine mandate. Gods call, whether immediate or mediate requirement. Gerhard also covers the methods for investiture, transfer, and-in unfortunate cases-removal of ministers.

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.