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17 August 2005
Johann Gerhard, Theologian
Commermoration of Johann Gerhard: 17 October 1582 - 17 August 1637
Gerhard, a Lutheran theologian in the tradition of Luther (1483–1546) and Martin Chemnitz (1522–86), was the most influential 17th Century dogmaticians. Many still consider his Loci Theologici (23 large volumes) to be one of the most definitive statements of Lutheran orthodoxy. Born in Quedlinburg, Germany, Gerhard was stricken with a life-threatening illness at age 15.
Following this experience, coupled with with guidance from his pastor, Johann Arndt, Gerhard experienced a turning point: He devoted the rest of his life to theology, serving many years as the Superintendent of Heldberg and, later, of the Duchy of Coburg. Eventually he become a professor at the University of Jena. With a sharp, critically trained mind, Gerhard also possessed deep evangelical piety and love for Jesus.
He wrote exegetical and theological works, devotional literature, history, and polemics. Many of his sermons remain in publication, still exercising wide influence upon confessional Lutheran thought. Since its writing and subsequent translation, his Sacred Meditations (see this online translation by Wade R. Johnston in PDF) probably outsold almost every book in the Western world except the Bible and The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis.
For more detailed information, see the Studium Excitare, Wikipedia, and the Christian Cyclopedia.
Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word. ¶ 11:28 |
Gerhard, a Lutheran theologian in the tradition of Luther (1483–1546) and Martin Chemnitz (1522–86), was the most influential 17th Century dogmaticians. Many still consider his Loci Theologici (23 large volumes) to be one of the most definitive statements of Lutheran orthodoxy. Born in Quedlinburg, Germany, Gerhard was stricken with a life-threatening illness at age 15.Following this experience, coupled with with guidance from his pastor, Johann Arndt, Gerhard experienced a turning point: He devoted the rest of his life to theology, serving many years as the Superintendent of Heldberg and, later, of the Duchy of Coburg. Eventually he become a professor at the University of Jena. With a sharp, critically trained mind, Gerhard also possessed deep evangelical piety and love for Jesus.
He wrote exegetical and theological works, devotional literature, history, and polemics. Many of his sermons remain in publication, still exercising wide influence upon confessional Lutheran thought. Since its writing and subsequent translation, his Sacred Meditations (see this online translation by Wade R. Johnston in PDF) probably outsold almost every book in the Western world except the Bible and The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis.
For more detailed information, see the Studium Excitare, Wikipedia, and the Christian Cyclopedia.
Partial List of Works
† Exegesis: Commentarius in harmoniam historiae evangelicae de passione Christi (A comentary harmonizing the Gospel accounts of Christ's Passion, 1617)
† Exegesis: Comment, super priorem D. Petri epistotam (1641)
† Exegesis: Commentaries on Genesis (1637) and Deuteronomy (1658)
† Theology: Confessio Catholice (Universal Confession, 1633-1637), a defense of the evangelical and catholic nature of the Augsburg Confession
† Theology: Loci communes theologici (1610-1622)
† Devotional: Meditationes sacrae (Sacred Meditations, 1606)
Suggested Collect and Lections
‡ O Lord God, heavenly Father, pour out Your Holy Spirit upon Your faithful people, keep them steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and comfort them in all temptation, defend them against all enemies of Your Word, and bestow on Christ's Church Militant Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
‡ Psalm 46
‡ Isaiah 55:6-11
‡ Romans 10:5-17
‡ John 15:1-11
Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word. ¶ 11:28 |
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Thank you for the post, Pr. Aardvark. I've got one of his books somewhere - we got it for our wedding. How do you know about all these saint days? Is there a Lutheran saint reminder or something? I'm trying to build reminders in my calendar. But how do you build the collects and lections? Thank you.
In case you didn't know you can find Sacred Meditations at the following address: http://www.christsaginaw.com/webdocs/Sacred%20Meditations%20-%20John%20Gerhard%20-%20Johnston.pdf
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