Nedan kommer ett utdrag (sidorna 605-619) från den förträffliga boken The Dogmatical Theology of the Evangelical Lutheran Church av Heinrich Schmid. Boken finns på internet i inläst format. Den finns att hämta i pdf-format här.
Vad säger då boken för den som inte orkar plöja igenom 19 sidor? Det finns naturligtvis disparata utsagor även i detta textmaterial. Men för den som inte bara vill hålla med den gamle eller unge Martin Luther är det nödvändigt att lösa hur dessa evangeliska fäder har förstått Skriften och Luther. Annars kommer vi i vårt eget studium av Skriften kunna stanna vid den förutfattade meningen att vi måst läsa som Luther gjorde. Så är naturligtvis inte fallet. Vi läser Luther för att vi ska fördjupa vår förståelse av Skriften och Gud. Med samma ingångsvärde måste vi naturligtvis läsa andra evangeliska fäders skrifter.
När vi läser detta blir det klart att det inte bara är en fuktion i ämbetet utan en karaktär:
With ordination the Church commits to them [prästerna] the obligation and the right to preach the Word of
God and to maintain obedience to it, to dispense the Sacraments and to forgive or retain to individuals their sins (potestas ordinis potestas clavium).
59. 1. Of the Ecclesiastical Estate, the Ministry.
As the Word and Sacraments are the means through which
alone a Church can come into existence, God has willed and
ordered that these means shall always be employed ; thereby
He has willed the office of the preaching of the Word and the
administration of the Sacraments. [2] This office is, there
fore, one of divine appointment, [3] and God has at times
Himself immediately called single individuals into it, while
now He does it only mediately, [4] namely, through the
Church, which has received from Him the right and the
authorization to do it. [5] The whole number of those who
are intrusted with this office we call the Ministry. Individual
teachers now must, therefore, have received their call and
authorization from the Church, if they are legitimately to have
the right to teach and administer the Sacraments. [6] It con
fers their office upon them, moreover, by the solemn rite of
ordination, [7] an act by which, indeed, not a special super
natural power or gift is imparted to the person ordained, but
which, nevertheless, in ordinary cases, dare not be omitted,
because order in the Church, and the example of the ancient
Church, require it. [8] With ordination the Church commits
to them the obligation and the right to preach the Word of
God and to maintain obedience to it, to dispense the Sacra
ments and to forgive or retain to individuals their sins (potestas
ordinis potestas clavium). [9] In all these functions the Min
ister does not act in his own name, but, as by the authority, so
also in the name of Christ ; all the effect, therefore, that follows
the Word preached and the Sacraments administered by him,
proceeds not from him, but from God. [10] Thus he has also,
according to Matt. 16: 19 ; John 20: 23, the right to forgive
the sins of the penitent, and retain those of the impenitent ;
and he upon whom this right is exercised must recognize in
this act not a mere announcement, but can be sure of this, that
thereby his sins are really forgiven or retained. But the power
to do this, the Minister has not of himself, but from the Lord,
and he exercises this power entrusted to him, in each particu
lar case, only as the servant of the Lord. [11] The Church
expects from each one to whom she entrusts this power, and
to whom she then obediently subjects herself, that he perform
all his duties with fidelity, and has the right, if he fail to do
this, to discipline him. [12] The Church assigns to individual
ministers different ranks, and establishes different grades in
the ministry, but this is done only for reasons of outward
order ; and the essential rights of preaching the Gospel and
administering the Sacraments are possessed by all alike. [13]
Abraham Callovius
[1] GRH. (XII, b. 2): "Three estates or orders appointed by
God in the Church are enumerated, viz., the ecclesiastical, the
political, and the domestic, which also are frequently called hier-
archies. The domestic order is devoted to the multiplication of the
human race; the political, to its protection; the ecclesiastical, to its
promotion to eternal salvation. The domestic estate has been
established by God against wandering lusts; the political against
tyranny and robbery; the ecclesiastical against heresies and corrup
tions of doctrine.
[2] CONF. AUG. (Art. V): "For the obtaining of this faith (of
justification), the ministry of teaching the Gospel and administer
ing the Sacraments was instituted. For, by the Word and Sacra
ments, the Holy Spirit is given; who worketh faith where and
when it pleaseth God in those that hear the Gospel. . . . They
condemn the Anabaptists and others, who imagine that the Holy
Spirit is given to men without the outward Word, through their
own preparations and works."
BR. (785): "For the collection and preservation of the Church
it is necessary that certain men discharge the office of preaching
the Word and administering the Sacraments; in order that, through
these means, faith may be conferred upon men, and when con
ferred may be strengthened and increased. And this is the office
which is called the ministry of the Church."
GRH. (XIII, 224) : "The ministry of the Church is a sacred and
public office divinely appointed, and intrusted, through a legiti
mate call, to certain men, in order that being instructed they may
teach the Word of God with peculiar power, may administer the
Sacraments, and preserve church discipline, for the purpose of
THE CALL TO THE MINISTRY. 607
effecting the con.versi.on and salvation of men, and truly advancing
the glory of God."
[3] HUTT. (Loc. Th., 186): "The ministry of the Church has
been established certainly not by man, but by God Himself, John
20: 21; Matt. 28: 19, 20; Mark 16: 15." AP. CONF., XIII, 11:
"The ministry of the Word has the command of God, and has
glorious promises, Rom. 1: 16; Is. 55: 11."
[4] HOLL. (1332): "By the divine call is here understood the
appointment of a certain and suitable person to the ministry of the
Church, with the right to teach in public, to administer the Sacra
ments, and exercise ecclesiastical discipline, made by God either
alone or by the intervening judicial aid of men."
BR. (787) : " Moreover, God calls men to the ecclesiastical office,
sometimes immediately (as Moses and the most of the prophets in
the Old Testament were called, and likewise the apostles in the
New Testament), i. e., by no intervening judicial aid of other men;
and at other times mediately, namely, through the Church, which,
in the name of God, commits this office to certain persons."
(HoLL. (1333): "An immediate call is not to be expected in the
Church to-day. ) Concerning the difference between the mediate
and the immediate call, GRH. (XII, b. 75): "The difference be
tween the mediate and immediate call consists always and only in
this, that the former is effected through ordinary means, divinely
appointed for this purpose, but the latter through God Himself,
who manifests His will concerning the immediate call of a person,
either by Himself or through some representative." The mediate
call, therefore, is to be considered no less a divine call. GRH.
(XII,- b. 79): "For, (1) It is referred to God as its author, Ps.
68: 11; Is. 41: 27; Jer. 3: 15; 23: 4; 1 Cor. 12: 28; Eph. 4: 11.
(2) It is based upon apostolic authority, Acts 14: 23; 1 Tim. 4: 14;
2 Tim. 1: 6; 2: 2; 1 Tim. 3: 2; Rom. 15: 18; 1 Tim. 5: 21; Acts
20: 28; Col. 4: 17. (3) The mediate call rejoices in God s saving
promises, 1 Tim. 4: 16; 2 Cor. 3: 6; Eph. 4: 12. And, indeed,
essentially the same promises belong to those thus called. GRH.
(XII, b. 81): " But if the mediate call, therefore, is not less divine
than the immediate, it will follow that the promises made by God
to those who have been immediately called, concerning the fruit
and success of the ministry, concerning protection in dangers, con
cerning the reward of labors, etc. , belong in their own way to those
also who have been mediately called by God. We do not deny
that the prophets and apostles, as those immediately called, had
many and great prerogatives, such as the privilege of not erring,
the right to teach in a plurality of places, more abundant gifts,
608 OF THE CHURCH.
peculiar charisms, fuller promises concerning the success of the call
and protection, etc. ; yet, with respect to the ministry of the Church
and the functions of teaching, both the mediately and the imme
diately called sustain one and the same office in the Church, and,
therefore, the promises concerning divine aid, and divine virtue
and efficacy in the ministry, can be referred in their own way to
the mediately called. " . . .
The "mixed call, by which God Himself names a certain person,
but yet wills that he be called through others, as representatives
(thus Aaron through Moses)," is not regarded by most of the
Dogmaticians as constituting a distinct species.
[5] HOLL. (1334): "The less principal cause constituting the
ministry is the Church, to which the right has been granted by
God of electing, ordaining, and calling suitable ministers of the
divine Word, nevertheless with the observance of becoming order
in the exercise of this right, 1 Cor. 14: 33." (Id. (1335): " There
fore the examination, ordination, and inauguration belong to the
presbytery; the nomination, presentation, and confirmation of the
call, by means of writing, to the magistrate; and the consent, vote,
and approval to the people.") BR. (788): "To the Church, after
it has been planted, belong the right and power to appoint minis
ters. For she has the keys of the kingdom of heaven, Matt. 16:
19; 18: 18, given her as a Bride, by Christ, her Husband; and,
therefore, as it is her prerogative to open and close the kingdom of
heaven, so is it also her prerogative to appoint ministers, through
whom she may open and close [the same] . And, if we consider
that the Church is a republic, and that the ministers of the Word
are, so to speak, the magistrates or conductors of public affairs,
upon whom the care of the whole republic rests, it is easily under
stood that the power to appoint them is vested, per se and in the
very nature of the case, in the whole Church; nor does it belong to
any one part, unless, by the common consent of all, it be transferred to
some one part." (It is not intended, therefore, hereby to lay down
the law that, in practice, all the estates of the Church must par
ticipate in the choice of the individual teacher. HOLL. (1334):
"We must distinguish between the right to call ministers and the
exercise of the right. The right to call belongs to the whole
Church, and all its ranks and members. But the exercise of the
right varies, according to the diverse agreement and custom of the
particular Church.") According to the doctrine of the Symbolical
Books, also, the Power of the Keys is in the hands of the whole
Church. ART. SMALCALD, "Of the Power and Primacy of the
Pope, " 24 : "In addition to these things, it is necessary to confess
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ORDINATION. 609
that the keys do not belong to the person of a certain man, but to
the Church, as many very clear and very strong arguments testify.
For Christ, speaking of the keys, Matt. 18: 19, adds: Where two
or three are gathered together in my name, etc. Therefore He
gave the keys to the Church primarily and immediately; just as
also, for this reason, the Church has primarily the right to call.
66. Therefore, when the regular bishops become enemies of the
Church, or are unwilling to impart ordination, the churches retain
their own right. 67. For wherever a church is, there also is the
right to administer the Gospel. And this right is a gift given only
to the Church, which no human authority can remove from the
Church. . . . Where, therefore, there is a true church, there
there must be the right to elect and ordain ministers. . . . 69.
Lastly, the sentence of Peter (1 Pet. 2:9), Ye are a royal priest
hood, also confirms this. These words pertain to the true Church ;
and since this has a priesthood, it certainly must have the right
to elect and ordain ministers." AP. CONF. (XIII, 12): "The
Church has the command to appoint ministers, which ought to be
most gratifying to us, because we know that God approves the
ministry and is present in the ministry." In conformity with
this, the ART. SMALCALD (ibid. 11) likewise say: "Paul (1 Cor.
3: 6) makes ministers equal, and teaches that the Church is above
the ministers. Wherefore superiority and lordship over the Church
and the rest of the ministers are not ascribed to Peter."
[6] CONF. AUG. (XIV): " Concerning ecclesiastical orders, they
teach that no man should publicly in the Church teach or admin
ister the Sacraments except he be rightly called." (Hurr. "(1)
On account of God s command, Jer. 23: 31; Heb. 5:4; Rom. 10:
15. (2) For the sake of good order and the peace of the Church,
1 Cor. 14: 40. (3) For the sake of certainty of doctrine, that it
may be evident of what nature it is, and by whom it has been re
ceived, there is necessity for an examination and testimonials as
to the doctrine. (4) For the sake of the conscience of the teacher,
that he may be certain that Christ s grace is with him, and that
the hearers also may know that they are hearing an ambassador of
God, 2 Cor. 5: 20.")
[7] GRH. (XII, b. 145): "Ordination is a public and solemn
declaration or attestation, through which the ministry of the
Church is committed to a suitable person, called thereto by the
Church, to which he is consecrated by prayer and the laying on of
hands, rendered more certain of his lawful call, and publicly, in
the sight of the entire Church, solemnly and seriously admonished
concerning his duty." Concerning the person to be ordained,
39
GRH. (XII, b. 159): "Our churches do not approve of the dis
order and anarchy of the Anabaptists, but recognize distinct grades
among ministers; yet, meanwhile, we deny that the power of
ordaining is, according to divine right, so confined to the episcopal
office that it cannot be exercised by presbyters, when the necessity
and advantage of the Church especially demand it. The practice
itself bears witness that, for the sake of good order, we commit
ordination to the bishops or superintendents alone, who are called
bishops, not only with respect to the flock intrusted to them, or
their hearers, but also with respect to other preachers, viz. , pres
byters and deacons, the oversight of whom has been intrusted to
them; yet, meanwhile, we do not recognize any such distinction
between bishops and presbyters, as though the former alone,
according to a divine right and the appointment of the Lord, have
a right to ordain preachers, from which the rest of the presbyters
have been excluded in such a manner that they cannot administer
the rite of ordination even when necessity demands, as when
bishops are not present or are neglecting their duty; but we say
that, according to an ecclesiastical custom, introduced for the sake
of good order, the power of ordaining has been left to the bishops,
although from this presbyters have not been purely and absolutely
excluded."
Of the ceremonies to be observed in ordination, GRH. (XII, b.
163): " In our churches we retain the laying on of hands, and re
ject the anointing. We make use of the x fl ptt ca a , not as though it
were a sacramental symbol, appointed by Christ Himself, and
commanded to be employed in this rite, but we use this ceremony
according to our freedom, both because it descends to us from the
practice of the Apostolic Church (Acts 6: 6; 1 Tim. 4: 14; 5: 22;
2 Tim. 1:6), . . . and because it affords useful admonitions. " . . .
Ordination is, therefore, no Sacrament, GRH. (XII, b. 147):
"The belief of our churches is this, that ordination may be called
a Sacrament, if the word be received in a wide sense; yet, if we
wish to speak most accurately, in such a manner that only that be
termed a Sacrament which has an outward element or sacramental
symbol, appointed in the New Testament by Christ Himself, to
which has been attached the promise of grace, for offering, apply
ing, and sealing the remission of sins, according to which sense
and signification Baptism and the Eucharist are called Sacraments:
in such a sense, signification and respect, we deny that ordination
is a Sacrament."
On the other hand, APOL. (VII, 11): "But if the word be
understood of the ministry of the Word, we should not seriously
IS ORDINATION NECESSARY. 611
object to call ordination a Sacrament. For the ministry of the
Word has the command of God, and glorious promises. ... If
ordination be understood in this manner, we do not object to call
the laying on of hands a Sacrament. For the Church has the
command to appoint ministers, which ought to be most gratifying
to us, because we know that God approves the ministry, and is
present in the ministry. And it is of advantage, so far as can be
done, to adorn the ministry of the Word with every kind of praise,
in opposition to fanatical men, who dream that the Holy Ghost is
given, not through the Word, but through their own preparations.
(Cf. 53, note 5. )
[8] GRH. (XII, b. 168): "We do not deny that, in ordination,
the gifts of the Holy Ghost, necessary for the discharge of the
duties of the ministry of the Church, are conferred and increased.
Yet, we make a distinction between the grace of reconciliation, or
of the remission of sins, and the grace of ordination, since many
receive the grace of ordination who nevertheless do not receive the
grace of reconciliation; and we say further that the bestowal and
increase of the gifts necessary for the ministry are by no means
to be ascribed to the laying on of hands as a sacramental symbol
truly so called, and divinely appointed, but to the prayers of the
Church and the presbytery, to which the promise of hearing has
been divinely made." HOLL. (1342): "The necessity of ordina
tion is ordinate, for the sake of good order or decorum, and because
of the divine command (Acts 13: 2), although the number and
form of the ceremonies vary according to the judgment of the
Church; nevertheless, the necessity is not absolute."
GRH. (XII, b. 14G): "We deny that ordination is necessary
by reason of any special divine command, as this cannot be pro
duced; or by reason of any such effect as the Papists ascribe to it,
viz., as though by it any indelible character was imprinted, or as
though it conferred, ex opere operate, gifts requisite to the ministry,
concerning which no promise can be adduced from the sayings of
Christ and the apostles; or by reason of any absolute and pure
necessity.".. . .
[9] BR. (792): "The ministry of the Church bears with it the
power and office (1) of teaching publicly, and administering the
Sacraments according to order; (2) the power and function of re
mitting and retaining sins. The former is termed the power of the
order (potestas ardinu)] the latter, the power of the keys (potestas
clavium, called also potestas jurisdictionis} .
CONF. AUG. (Of Church Power, VII, 5): "Now, their judgment
is this, that the power of the keys, or the power of the bishops, by
612 OF THE CHURCH.
the rule of the Gospel, is a power or commandment from God, of
preaching the Gospel, of remitting or retaining sins, and of admin
istering the Sacraments. For Christ doth send His apostles, with
this charge, John 20: 21; Mark 16: 15. This power is put in ex
ecution only by teaching or preaching the Gospel and administer
ing the Sacraments, either to many or to single individuals, in
accordance with their call, for thereby not corporeal things but
eternal are granted, viz. , righteousness eternal, the Holy Ghost, life
eternal; these things cannot be obtained but by the ministry of the
Word and Sacraments." GRH. (XIII, 16): "The power of juris
diction consists in the use of the keys. But the power of the keys
is twofold, loosing and binding, Matt. 16: 19; John 20: 23. For,
although the ministry of the Word, by which sins are loosed and
bound, is one", wherefore, also, in a generic signification, one key is
effectual to open and to close the kingdom of heaven; nevertheless,
according to the diversity of objects, means and effects, one key is
said to be a loosing key, by which penitents are absolved from their
sins and heaven is opened to them, and another binding, by which
to the impenitent sins are retained, and heaven is closed against
them. The former is called absolution ; the latter excommunication.
Both are exercised either publicly or privately. Absolution is
public, when, to all who truly repent, the remission of sins for
Christ s- sake is declared from the Gospel; private, when sins are
remitted to some penitent in particular. Excommunication is public,
when to all the impenitent and unbelieving, the wrath of God and
eternal condemnation are declared from the Law; private, when to
any obstinate!} wicked one in particular the retention of sins is
announced. With respect to degrees, excommunication is said to
be twofold, viz., the less and the greater. The former is exclusion
or suspension from the use of the Lord s Supper; the latter is ex
pulsion from the communion of the Church: the former is called
Ka6alpeais [purifying], the latter, aipopia^ [excommunication in the
proper sense] . To the latter extreme degree of ecclesiastical cen
sure we dare not progress hastily, without serious deliberation, and
without the consent of the Church, and especially of. the Christian
magistrate, but the order prescribed by Christ, Matt. 18: 15, must
be carefully observed." Id. (XIII, 109): "As in the political
and the domestic estates, so also in the ecclesiastical estate, a cer
tain discipline is required, without which, just as in the former
subjects and domestics cannot be kept in their duty, so also in the
latter the hearers. The objects of church discipline are men who
have been received into the house of God, and the family of Christ,
and who sin, Matt. 18: 15; Gal. 5: 1, who must be rebuked, chided,
POWER OF MINISTERS TO REMIT SINS. 613
and corrected, in order that they may return into the way and per
form their duty, according to the requirement of the Word. Such
falls are twofold, viz. , with respect to doctrine, and with respect to
morals." . . .
[10] AP. CONF. (Of the Church, 28): " Nor is the efficacy of the
Sacraments destroyed, because they are administered by the un
worthy; because they present be/ore us the person of Christ by virtue of
the call of the Church, and do not present before us their own per
sons, as Christ testifies (Luke 10: 16): He that heareth you,
heareth me. When they offer the Word of Christ, when they
offer the Sacraments, they offer them in the stead and place of
Christ." GRH. (XIII, 15): " Ministers do not act except instru-
mentally (opyawKfi?), and, therefore, ought to adapt their actions to
the divine judgment and command."
[11] HOLL. (1348): "The power which ministers of the Church
have to remit sins is not absolute (avroKparopiK^, or principal and in
dependent (which belongs to God alone, against whom alone sin is
committed), but ministerial and delegated (dm/tov#), by which to
contrite and penitent sinners they remit all sins without any reser
vation of guilt or punishment, not only inropiKus, or by way of signifi
cation and declaration, but also effectually and really, yet bpyavinuf
(instrumentally ).
The remission is " delegated, Matt. 16: 19; John 20: 23. There
fore, the power to remit sins depends upon Christ (1) with respect
to form, because it is a delegated power, and therefore such only,
as to nature and extent, as God has delegated; (2) with respect to
the norm, since the minister of the Church cannot absolve sinners
according to his own judgment, but according to the norm of the
divine judgment; (3) with respect to exercise, because in the act
of absolution God concurs with the ministers and absolves through
them; (4) with respect to efficacy, because the minister cannot
absolve, except by delegated virtue and power, and, therefore, by
that which is subordinated to the principal cause."
Ministers of the Church remit sins not " by way of signification,"
but* effectively ; for they really bind and loose, and do not merely de
clare the binding and loosing that has occurred in heaven ; because he
who receives a key to unlock and open does not show that another
has opened, but he himself opens. For the key is not the same as the
declaration of the act of opening, and to unlock is not the same as merely
to declare that another has unlocked. Through the Word of God,
ministers really and effectively convert, regenerate, etc. ; therefore,
they also really and effectively remit sins."
BR. (798) : "That which is declared by the voice of the minister
614 OF THE CHURCH.
is truly presented and offered by means of his voice to the contrite
and believing, or is confirmed by God, as certainly as though Christ
Himself were to say to the penitent, what He said to the paralytic,
Matt. 9: 2." HUTT. (Loc. c. Th., p. 765): "This absolution has
its dependence upon confession. Therefore, it never errs, nor are
the words scattered to the wind. For, inasmuch as absolution
always either silently or expressly presupposes a condition of con
fession, it happens that absolution can, indeed, be invalid or in
effectual, yet it is never false; since it is declared by the minister
only under the condition of a confession that has been properly and
sincerely made." GRH. (VI, 298): " Neither can any one present
this argument in opposition, that in this manner all certainty of
absolution is removed, if it be said to depend upon the condition
of repentance and faith : for we do not say that the absolution must
be judged from the extent of the contrition or of the faith, but we
do say that sincere contrition, and faith that is true and not hypo
critical, are necessary; and, furthermore, every one can examine
himself as to whether he truly recognize and detest his sins, and
whether he truly believe in Christ,
HOLL. (1349): "The power that ministers of the Church have
to retain sins is not principal and independent, but ministerial and
delegated (the right to the key of binding, Christ has intrusted to the
Church, as the spiritual mother of a family. The exercise of this right
He has intrusted to the apostles and their successors, Matt. 18: 18;
John 20: 23. Since, therefore, the power of the key of binding
has been delegated, the ministers of the Church cannot bind im
penitent sinners according to their own judgment, but in accord
ance with the norm of the divine judgment) , by which they deny
the remission of sins to obdurate, publicly infamous and notorious
sinners, or only prohibit them from the use of the Holy Supper;
or, by the consent of the church council, actually cast them out of
the society of the Church; or, by an effectual declaration, hand
them over to Satan, that they may truly repent and be reconciled
to God and the Church."
[12] CONF. AUG. (XXVIII, 21): "Again, by the Gospel, or, as
they term it, by divine right, bishops, as bishops, that is, those
who have the administration of the Word and Sacraments com
mitted to them, have no other jurisdiction at all, but only to remit
sin, and to take cognizance of doctrine, rejecting doctrine incon
sistent with the Gospel, and excluding from the communion of the
Church, without human force, but by the Word, those whose
wickedness is known. And herein, of necessity, the churches ought, by
divine right, to render obedience unto them, according to the saying of
DUTY OF OBEDIENCE TO MINISTERS. 615
Christ, Luke 10: 16. But when they teach or determine anything
contrary to the Gospel, then have the churches a commandment of
God, who forbiddeth obedience to them, Matt. 7: 15; Gal. 1:9;
2 Cor. 13: 8-10." HOLL. (1351): "A minister of the Church
should cultivate piety with his whole heart (1 Tim. 3:2), and if
his impiety be notorious, the censure of the Church ought to be
employed against him, 1 Tim. 5: 20. Yet his impiety does not
derogate from the efficacy of the doctrine which he presents from
the Word of God." ( " Efficacy of doctrine does not depend upon
the minister, but upon the Holy Ghost, who is inseparably joined
to the Word of God. Wherefore, by whomsoever it be preached,
the divine Word is and remains the power of God to every one be
lieving, Rom. 1: 16.")
GRH. (XIII, 214) under the caption, "Things Hostile to the
Ministry of the Word," discusses the chief hindrances to the
efficiency of the Gospel ministry. He makes a distinction be
tween the faults of the pastors and the faults of the hearers. Of
the former he enumerates: "(1) abuse of the office, and of the
power of the keys; .(2) corruptions of doctrine, which degenerate
into heresies, if obstinacy be added; (3) faults of character and
life." Among the faults of hearers, he gives prominence to "(1)
the contempt of the ministry . . . (2) naioaponmria^ by which some
claim for the political magistracy absolute power over the ministers
of the Church. They decide that the regulation of the ministry
belongs to regal affairs, and ascribe to the magistracy the power,
according to its pleasure and without the consent of the Church,
to appoint and reject ministers, and to prescribe laws according to
its own discretion. They refuse to submit themselves to Church
discipline, and strive to put a muzzle upon the Holy Ghost when
He censures their errors and crimes." A heresy he thus defines:
A heresy is any private opinion, which any one selects for his
reception in preference to a Christian doctrine and the Catholic
faith, and obstinately defends." (Id., 222): "That any one
should be a heretic, properly so called, it is necessary (1) that he
be a person received into the visible Church by the Sacrament of
Baptism; (2) that he err in the faith; whether he introduce an
unheard-of error or embrace one received from another, although
the former seems to be peculiar to a heresiarch, and the latter to a
heretic; (3) that the error directly conflict with the very founda
tion of the faith; (4) that to the error there be joined wickedness
and obstinacy, through which, though frequently admonished,
he obstinately defends his error; (5) that he excite dissensions
and scandals in the Church, and rend its unity." GERHARD, with
616 OF THE CHURCH.
AUGUSTINE, thus distinguishes heresy and schism: Heretics vio
late the faith itself, by believing false things of God; but schis
matics, by wicked dissensions, break away from brotherly love,
although they may believe those things which we believe." (221.)
[13] HOLL. (1351): "For the sake of good order it is useful
and prudent that, corresponding to the disparity of gifts, there
should be, among the ministers of the Church, distinct degrees of
dignity and influence, 1 Cor. 14:40; Eph. 4: 11." QUEN. (IV,
396): "Meanwhile, we say that the same power of the ministry
in preaching the Word and administering the Sacraments and
power of jurisdiction consisting in the use of the keys, belong to
all the ministers of the Church."
60. 2. Of the Political Estate ; fl] The Civil Authority.
The civil authority, no less than the ministry, is an estate
appointed by God. [2] The power intrusted to it, with all its
prerogatives, is derived, therefore, from Him ; [3] and through
it He desires to promote the temporal welfare of men. [4] Its
primary duty, therefore, is to watch over the preservation of
outward order and good behavior. [5] and it has the right
and the duty of operating in this direction through jaws
which it is to enact, according to its own judgment, yet with
out encroaching upon natural or divine right. [6] This mis
sion assigned to the civil authority has, however, as its ultimate
aim the promotion of the prosperity of the Church ; for the
outward welfare aimed at by the civil authority would of
itself have no significance. [7] Therefore the civil authority
has, at the same time, an immediate calling to fulfil in regard
to the Church (offidwn circa sacra) ; it is hence also to aid and
protect the institutions of Christianity, to ward off all hostile
attacks by means of the external power committed to it, and
to withstand all injurious influences. [8] It is not to inter
fere, however, with the internal doctrinal or disciplinary
affairs of the Church. [9~\
[1] GRH. (XIII, 228): "The term magistratus is taken in a
twofold sense: (1) abstractly, for the power and authority them
selves, with which those are divinely endowed to whom the gov
ernment has been intrusted; (2) concretely, for the persons who
exercise the magistracy and are endowed with the power to govern.
[2] HOLL. (1353): "The efficient principal cause of the magis-
THE CIVIL AUTHORITY. 617
tracy is the triune God (Horn. 13: 1; Prov. 8: 15; Dan. 2: 21),
who intrusts to certain persons the office of magistrate, either im
mediately (Ex. 3: 10; Numb. 27: 18; 1 Sam. 9: 15) or mediately
(John 19: 11)."
Id. (1354): " To-day, by God s control, suitable persons attain
to the office of magistrate, either by election, or by succession, or
by rightfully taking possession of it.
[3] GRH. (XIII, 308): "From Rom. 13: 1, etc., it is evident
that the magistrate has been endowed with certain power." Yet
the power of the magistrate is not absolute, unlimited, and un
conditional, but it is restricted by laws and the norm of a higher
power. For, since the magistrate has received his power from
God, he is under obligation to recognize God as his superior, and,
in the use of his power, to conform to His will and laws. When,
therefore, statesmen ascribe absolute power to the supreme magis
trate, this must be received not unconditionally, nor with respect to
the higher power, namely, God, . . . but only with respect to the lower
magistrates.
Political power consists " (1) in ordaining in such a manner as
to produce honorable and salutary laws, pertaining to the advant
age of subjects and of the state" (legislative power); "(2) in
judging so as, in cases for trial, to make the decision and adminis
ter justice to subjects according to the norm of the laws " (judicial
power); " (3) in executing so as to adorn those obedient to honor
able laws with rewards, and to punish the disobedient and negli
gent by means of penalties" (executive power). Hence the right
of the sword, Gen. 9: 6.
[4] GRH. (XIII, 225): "Because of the fall of those first
created, the human race has lost not only the spiritual and eternal
blessings of the life to come, but also the bodily and outward com
forts of this life; yet God, out of wonderful and ever unspeakable
kindness, because of the intercession of His Son, has not only re
stored and renewed the former, but also the latter, and has ap
pointed means for preserving them."
"Through the political magistrate, (God) preserves peace and
outward tranquility, administers civil justice, and protects our
property, reputation, and persons." (Ib., 226.)
[5] GRH. (XIII, 225): "By means of the former" (the civil
magistrate) both outward discipline and public peace and tran
quility are preserved."
HUTT. (Loc. Th., 279): "The chief duties of the civil magis
trate are: (1) to pay attention to both tables of the Decalogue, so
far as they pertain to outward discipline; (2) to make enactments
618 OF THE CHURCH.
concerning civil and domestic affairs, harmonizing with divine and
natural law ; (3) to diligently see to it that the laws that have been
published be carried into execution; (4) to inflict punishments
upon the delinquent, according to the nature of the offence; to
assist the obedient and bestow upon them rewards.
HOLL. (1366) : "The civil magistrate has been ordained for the
public good, and his office is fourfold: (1) Ecclesiastical, for kings
are the nursing fathers of the Church, and the bishops outside of
the temple. (2) Civil, by guarding the interests of citizens, and
repelling foreign enemies from the boundaries of the country. (3)
Moral, in so far as he enacts wholesome laws, by which subjects
are held to their duty, so as to lead a peaceable life in godliness
and honesty, 1 Tim. 2: 2. (4) Natural, by which rulers provide
for the support and other necessaries of subjects; for example,
Pharaoh, Gen. 41: 34."
[6] HUTT. (Loc. Th., 285): "Christians are necessarily under
obligation to obey their magistrates and laws, except when they
command us to sin; then we must obey God rather than men,
Acts 5: 29."
[7] GRH. (XIII, 225): "The magistracy has been established
by God, no less than the ministry, for the collection, preservation,
and extension of the Church, inasmuch as by means of it both out
ward discipline and public peace and tranquility are preserved,
without which the ministry of the Church could not readily per
form its duty, and the collection and extension of the Church
could scarcely have a place, 1 Tim. 2: 2."
The magistracy is therefore termed a wall and shield to the
Church, Ps. 47 : 10. For not only by this most firm wall are our
bodies and property surrounded, but a protection is also afforded
the Church, while the rage of those is restrained who desire to
overturn all sacred things, in order that they may freely indulge
their own lusts. Further, it is designated a nursing father to
the Church, Is. 49: 23." . . . "Outward discipline is maintained,
justice is administered, tranquility and favorable times are pro
tected by the civil estate, to the end that, by the Word of God,
through the ministry, a Church may be collected out of the human
race. For, since by and since the Fall, the human race had been
so miserably and dreadfully corrupted by sin, that, without a
public rule, all things in it would be in confusion and disorder,
God also established governments for the sake of the Church." . . .
[8] HOLL. (1361): "The magistracy is employed with sacred
affairs, by carefully observing and performing those things which
ought to be believed and done by all men who are to be saved, Ps.
THE DOMESTIC ESTATE.
2: 10-12, and by directing the Church and the Christian religio:
in their external government.
There belong specifically thereto (En., 809): "The appointing
of suitable ministers of the Church; the erection and preservation
of schools and houses of worship, as well as the providing for the
honorable support of ministers; the appointing of visitations and
councils; the framing and maintenance of the laws of the Church,
the controlling of the revenues of the Church, and the preser
vation of Church discipline; the trial of heretical ministers, as also
of those of bad character, and all other similar persons belonging
to the churches and schools, and the compelling them to appear
before a court; providing for the punishment of those convicted of
heresies or crimes; and the abrogation of heresies that are manifest
and have been condemned by the Church, and of idolatrous forms
of worship, so that the Church be cleansed from them."
[9] HULL. (1362): "The inner economy and government of
sacred things, consisting in the doctrine of the Word, in absolution
from sins, and the lawful administration of the Sacraments, are
peculiar to the ministers of the Church. The magistrate cannot
claim them for himself without committing crime."
" The civil magistrate has not the power of a master builder, in
regard to sacred affairs, equally with, and without any distinction
from, civil affairs. "
Fint att få se att du känner till Schmids bok, som du säkert vet finns på svenska utgiven i två upplagor på 1800-talet. Heinrich Schmid skrev den tidigt i sin karriär, som ett inlägg i den lutherrenässans som då var levande. Han gav ut många böcker men bara denna överlevde honom och gavs ut i 9 utgåvor i Tyskland före år 1900.
SvaraRaderaDen engelska utgåvan kom ut i USA 1875, utgiven av Charles A Hay och Henry E Jacobs.
Fina porträtt du också återger, men Johann Gerhard finns inte med, men ett bra porträtt av honom finns i Nordisk Familjebok, uggleupplagan.
Nu finns det emellertid fler böcker av samma inriktning som kan vara värda att nämna:
J W Baier,Compendium Theologiae Positivae,I-III, denuo edendum curavit Carol. Fred. Guil. Walther. St Louis 1879
och
Franz Pieper,Christliche Dogmatik I-III, St. Louis, Mo, 1917ff
En äldre läsvärd tysk dogmatik är
A F C Vilmar, Dogmatik I-II, Gütersloh 1874
/arne
Det finns verkligen många fina dogmatiker från nyortodoxins tid. Det vore en mycket bra sak om dessa uppmärksammades mer bland bekännelsetrogna evangeliskt kristna i dessa förvirrade tider.
SvaraRaderaOm jag förstår det rätt utgavs Schimds bok på svenska men med citaten på latin. Att den då finns på internet i inscannad version skapar ju möjligheten för många fler att ta del av den. Samtidigt som det är bra att läsa vad fäderna verkligen skrev.
Vad gäller porträtten så hade Gerhard gärna fått vara med. Ska se om jag hittar porträttet du omnämner.
När det gäller dogmatiker är Hoenecke och hans Evangelisch-Lutherische Dogmatik väl värd att omnämnas.
Riktigt att Schmids bok på svenska har citaten på latin. Så den engelska är bätter medena den är helt och hållet översatt.
SvaraRaderaRoligt att du också känner till Hoenecke, som jag också har, och han skriver faktiskt väl i fråga om ämbetet.
Jag har porträttet på Johann Gerhard
Mailar du till gedwardsson@gmail.com så kan jag maila det till dig.
/Arne