[[@Page:1]]

HEINRICH SCHMID, D. D.

The Doctrinal Theologyof theEvangelical LutheranChurch

Third Edition, revised

Translated from German and Latin

by

CHARLES A. HAY, D. D.

and

HENRY E. JACOBS, D. D.

Augsburg Publishing House Minneapolis 15, Minn.[[@Page:2]]

THE DOCTRINAL THEOLOGY OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

Copyright 1875 and 1889, Charles A. Hay and Henry E. Jacobs

Copyright 1899, Henry A. Jacobs and Charles E. Hay

This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg by William Alan Larson and is in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary. Preface, table of contents, index and formatting added by Daniel North.

E-mail: smithre@mail.ctsfw.edu

Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825

USA Phone: (260) 452-3149 Fax: (260) 452-2126

This reprint edition has been prepared by permission of the United Lutheran Publication House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA[[@Page:3]]

Preface to Reprint Edition

The title page identifies the translators of this volume. The worth of their labor is attested by the appearance of this reprint in response to requests from seminary professors and students some sixty years after the last previous editions.

The title page also indicates the nature of the original work. It is not a dogmatic text so much as it is a compilation of theological statements drawn from the writings of fourteen prominent Lutheran theologians who lived during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. These quotations are employed to support and clarify the Christian faith after the pattern of presentation developed in the early Lutheran tradition.

In their own preface the translators point out that, The aim of the compiler was of a purely historical character not to afford a summary of absolutely final definitions of Lutheran Theology, but to exhibit the teaching that had been current up to the time of Rationalism. Notwithstanding the present emphasis on back to Luther, the great systematizers who followed him will remain important. A frank recognition of their limitations does not weaken respect for their contribution. It is this respect, and the fact that so small a part of the voluminous writings of these theologians is available in English, which underlies the decision to reissue this volume.

An element of grateful commemoration also upholds the publication of this work. The English edition of Hay and Jacobs translation of Schmids The Doctrinal Theology of the Lutheran Church, in 1875, ranks with the translation of The Book of Concord, and Charles Porterfield Krauths The Conservative Reformation and Its Theology, as a significant contribution to the restoration of true Lutheranism in America.[[@Page:4]]

While a reprint does not permit it, the desirability of revision is recognized. Both the author and translators have reckoned with this need. From the Preface to the Third and Fourth Editions we quote, The second edition of this translation published in 1889, aimed at a faithful reproduction of the Fifth Edition of the original, the last published in the life of its author, together with such additions from the same authorities from which Dr. Schmid had compiled, as would render the work more serviceable to American students. In the present edition, we have followed in general the same plan, but have taken the liberty of dispensing with a few of the quotations from the old theologians, which no one will miss, as, e.g., the long discussion on demoniacal possession. Dr. Schmids own statements are unchanged and unabbreviated; but his compilations have been edited and enriched. A similar attempt was made in Germany about five years ago, by Professor Dr. Franck, of Erlangen, Dr. Schmids son-in-law.

Finally, a report that Professor Ratchow of the University of Mnster is planning a German revision of Schmid points to the general recognition of the enduring worth of the work.

THOMAS P. SOLEM

Luther Theological Seminary

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

January 1961[[@Page:5]]

CONTENTS

1-13. INTRODUCTION [[15-102 >> Page:15-102]]

CHAPTER I.

OF THEOLOGY IN GENERAL

2. Meaning of the term Natural and Revealed Its Divisions Its End Who is a Theologian? The need of the Holy Spirit,[[15-20 >> Page:15-20]]

CHAPTER II.

OF THE GENERAL SUBJECT OF THEOLOGY, VIZ., RELIGION.

3. Religion, true and false. Characteristics of the true Proofs for the Christian Religion,[[21-25 >> Page:21-25]]

CHAPTER III.

OF THE SOURCE OF THEOLOGY, VIZ., REVELATION.

4. Revelation Not Reason Not Tradition, [[25-29 >> Page:25-29]]

5. On the Use of Reason in Theology What is Reason? Relation of Reason to Revelation Reason before the Fall Reason since the Fall Reason not normative Reason a Handmaid to Theology Reason useful in its Sphere Mixed and Pure Articles,[[29-33 >> Page:29-33]] [[@Page:6]]

CHAPTER IV.

OF THE SACRED SCRIPTURES.

6. The terms Sacred Scriptures and Inspiration. Scriptures, the written Word of God Their two-fold origin Meaning of Inspiration Extent of Inspiration Inspiration distinct from Revelation,[[38-50 >> Page:38-50]]

7. The Attributes of the Sacred Scriptures,[[50 >> Page:50]]

8. 1. Authority of the Scriptures. (a) Causative Authority of the Sacred Scriptures. Proofs not needed for Believers Only real Proof, the work of the Holy Spirit Internal Criteria of Inspiration External Criteria of Inspiration. (b) Normative or Canonical Authority of the Sacred Scriptures. The Scriptures the only Rule of Faith The Scriptures derive no authority from the Church The Scriptures the only Judge of Controversies Who are to interpret the Scriptures? Original languages alone authoritative,[[51-64 >> Page:51-64]]

9. 2. The Perfection or Sufficiency of the Scriptures. The consequence of Inspiration The abuse and use of Tradition,[[64-68 >> Page:64-68]]

10. 3. The Perspicuity of the Scriptures. Meaning of Perspicuity Extent of Perspicuity Perspicuity absolute and ordinate Piety essential to an Interpreter The Literal and Spiritual Sense Obscure Things in Perspicuous Words Analogy of the Faith The Mystical Sense,[[68-80 >> Page:68-80]]

11. 4. The Efficacy of the Scriptures. The topic is discussed under the head of The Means of Grace,[[80 >> Page:80]]

12. Of the Canon and the Apocrypha. The Old and New Testaments The Apocryphal Books Marks of Canonicity External and Internal Testimony of the Ancient Church The Antilegomena of the New Testament,[[80-92 >> Page:80-92]]

CHAPTER V.

OF THE ARTICLES OF FAITH AND OF THE SYMBOLS OF THE CHURCH.

13. What are Articles of Faith? How related to each other? Pure and remixed Fundamental and non-fundamental Earlier and Later Symbols Relation of the Symbols to the Scriptures Necessity of the Symbols,[[92-102 >> Page: 92-102]] [[@Page:7]]

PART I.

OF GOD.

14. Division of the Subject,[[103 >> Page:103]]

CHAPTER I.

OF GOD.

15. Preliminary statement The natural and supernatural Knowledge of God Innate Natural Knowledge of God Acquired Natural Knowledge of God Imperfection of such knowledge Value of such knowledge Supernatural Knowledge of God,[[103-111 >> Page:103-111]]

16. 1. The Certainty of the Existence of God,[[111 >> Page:111]]

17. 2. The Nature of God His name Cannot be defined Approximate definitions,[[111-117 >> Page:111-117]]

18. 3. The Attributes of God Not Accidents They are one with the Divine Essence Threefold Method of recognizing them Classification of Divine Attributes. I. Negative Attributes. Unity Simplicity Immutability Infinity Immensity Eternity. II. Positive Attributes. Life-Knowledge Wisdom Holiness Justice Truth Power Goodness,[[117-129 >> Page:117-129]]

CHAPTER II.

OF THE HOLY TRINITY.

19. The Doctrine is a Mystery Purely a Matter of Revelation It is a Fundamental Doctrine The Church does not claim to understand it Why described in Philosophical Terms Gradual Development of the Doctrine Definition of the Trinitarian Terminology. 1. Numerical Unity of the Divine Essence. 2. Diversity and Plurality; not (a) Essential; nor (b) Accidental; but (c) Hypostatical. Specific Hypostatical Distinctions Personal Properties. I God the Father. II. God the Son The Eternal Generation. III. God the Holy Ghost Procession. Scriptural Proof of the Doctrine of the Trinity,[[129-159 >> Page:129-159]]

CHAPTER III.

OF CREATION.

20. 1. Creation a Divine work. 2. The World created from Nothing. 3. Matter not Eternal. 4. Order and Manner of Creation Dichotomy or Trichotomy? Creationism or Traducianism? 5. Design of Creation. 6. Excellence of Creation. 7. Time of Creation,[[159-170 >> Page:159-170]] [[@Page:8]]

CHAPTER IV.

OF PROVIDENCE.

21. The Doctrine taught both by Reason and Revelation Comprehends Foreknowledge, Predetermination, and Administration Basis of the Divine Foreknowledge. I. Preservation, or Continuous Creation Influence of Second Causes May Providence be deceived? II. Concurrence, or Divine Co-operation. Does God concur with sin? III. Government, or Divine Control Does not neutralize Human Freedom Providence embraces all Things Providence, general and special, extraordinary and ordinary,[[170-194 >> Page:170-194]]