On the Ministry II - Theological Commonplaces

About This Volume On the Ministry II contains the second half of Gerhard's commonplace On the Ministry and focuses on the power and duties of the ecclesiastic office, where the first volume considers the call and work of ministers both of civil and ecclesiastic ministers. On the Ministry presents the pastoral office as a divine office imbued with power, right, and authority to publicly preach and interpret the scriptures and to exercise the office of the keys. In addition to these, Gerhard enumerate the duties of ministers: preaching the Word, dispensing the sacraments, praying for the flock, exercising self-governance, practicing church discipline, performing ecclesiastic ceremonies, and caring for and visiting the poor and sick. 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 includesthe 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.