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Schola Pietatis: Volume 1
In the first volume of this five volume work, Gerhard explores the meaning of “The first part consist of these Train yourself in godliness. In order that we properly understand this apostolic principle, we need to take note of two First, what is meant by godliness. Secondly, what it entails for one to train himself in godliness.”Johann Gerhard (1582–1637) wrote his "Schola Pietatis" as a corrective to Johann Arndt's "True Christianity”—it was intended to serve the faithful as a model of faith expressed in life, and to avoid the Pietistic pitfalls of Arndt's work. The “Schola Pietatis” also represents the pinnacle of Gerhard's devotional the author of the "Sacred Meditations" and "Daily Exercise of Piety" now examines the whole of the Christian life.
- GenresTheology
384 pages, Paperback
First published November 23, 2013
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About the author
Johann Gerhard
215 books12 followersJohann Gerhard was a Lutheran church leader and Scholastic theologian during the period of Orthodoxy.
At the age of fourteen, during a dangerous illness, he came under the personal influence of Johann Arndt, author of Das wahre Christenthum, and resolved to study for the church. He entered the University of Wittenberg in 1599, and studied philosophy and theology. A relative then persuaded him to change his subject, and he studied medicine for two years. In 1603, he resumed his theological reading at Jena, and in the following year received a new impulse from J.W. Winckelmann and Balthasar Mentzer at Marburg. He graduated in 1605 and began to give lectures at Jena, then in 1606 he accepted the invitation of John Casimir, Duke of Coburg, to the superintendency of Heldburg, today Bad Colberg-Heldburg, and mastership of the gymnasium; soon afterwards he became general superintendent of the duchy, in which capacity he was engaged in the practical work of ecclesiastical organization until 1616, when he became the senior theological professor at Jena, where the remainder of his life was spent.
Here, with Johann Major and Johann Himmel, he formed the "Trias Johannea." Though still comparatively young, Gerhard was already regarded as the greatest living theologian of Protestant Germany; in the "disputations" of the period he was always protagonist, and his advice was sought on all public and domestic questions touching on religion or morals. During his lifetime he received repeated calls to almost every university in Germany (e.g. Giessen, Altdorf, Helmstedt, Jena, Wittenberg), as well as to Uppsala in Sweden. He died in Jena.
His writings are numerous, alike in exegetical, polemical, dogmatic and practical theology. To the first category belong the Commentarius in harmoniam historiae evangelicae de passione Christi (1617), the Comment, super priorem D. Petri epistolam (1641), and also his commentaries on Genesis (1637) and on Deuteronomy (1658). Of a controversial character are the Confessio Catholica (1633–1637), an extensive work which seeks to prove the evangelical and catholic character of the doctrine of the Augsburg Confession from the writings of approved Roman Catholic authors; and the Loci communes theologici (1610–1622), his principal contribution, in which Lutheranism is expounded "nervose, solide et copiose," in fact with a fulness of learning, a force of logic and a minuteness of detail that had never before been approached.
The Meditationes sacrae (1606), a work expressly devoted to the uses of Christian edification, has been frequently reprinted in Latin and has been translated into most of the European languages, including Greek.
At the age of fourteen, during a dangerous illness, he came under the personal influence of Johann Arndt, author of Das wahre Christenthum, and resolved to study for the church. He entered the University of Wittenberg in 1599, and studied philosophy and theology. A relative then persuaded him to change his subject, and he studied medicine for two years. In 1603, he resumed his theological reading at Jena, and in the following year received a new impulse from J.W. Winckelmann and Balthasar Mentzer at Marburg. He graduated in 1605 and began to give lectures at Jena, then in 1606 he accepted the invitation of John Casimir, Duke of Coburg, to the superintendency of Heldburg, today Bad Colberg-Heldburg, and mastership of the gymnasium; soon afterwards he became general superintendent of the duchy, in which capacity he was engaged in the practical work of ecclesiastical organization until 1616, when he became the senior theological professor at Jena, where the remainder of his life was spent.
Here, with Johann Major and Johann Himmel, he formed the "Trias Johannea." Though still comparatively young, Gerhard was already regarded as the greatest living theologian of Protestant Germany; in the "disputations" of the period he was always protagonist, and his advice was sought on all public and domestic questions touching on religion or morals. During his lifetime he received repeated calls to almost every university in Germany (e.g. Giessen, Altdorf, Helmstedt, Jena, Wittenberg), as well as to Uppsala in Sweden. He died in Jena.
His writings are numerous, alike in exegetical, polemical, dogmatic and practical theology. To the first category belong the Commentarius in harmoniam historiae evangelicae de passione Christi (1617), the Comment, super priorem D. Petri epistolam (1641), and also his commentaries on Genesis (1637) and on Deuteronomy (1658). Of a controversial character are the Confessio Catholica (1633–1637), an extensive work which seeks to prove the evangelical and catholic character of the doctrine of the Augsburg Confession from the writings of approved Roman Catholic authors; and the Loci communes theologici (1610–1622), his principal contribution, in which Lutheranism is expounded "nervose, solide et copiose," in fact with a fulness of learning, a force of logic and a minuteness of detail that had never before been approached.
The Meditationes sacrae (1606), a work expressly devoted to the uses of Christian edification, has been frequently reprinted in Latin and has been translated into most of the European languages, including Greek.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 24, 2023
The basic point of this work is to use doctrine to admonish us to godliness. For the most part, it works really well. The only problem is that sometimes the doctrine of this Lutheran divine is highly suspect. Examples of error include baptismal regeneration and (seemingly) denying the saints' perseverance - both of which are probably interlinked - and the ubiquity of Christ's human nature, which is at odds with both orthodox Christology and the simplicity of God.
I find Johann Gerhard's soteriology quite difficult to pin down precisely. He is neither a high Calvinist nor an outright Arminian. Some things he says sound a bit Amyraldian, but I am not sure if that is an accurate characterisation of his overall views. Despite the obvious problems with this work, I did find it helpful on the whole and intend to read the remaining two volumes at some point in the future. The translation reads very well and the print size makes for pleasant reading.
I find Johann Gerhard's soteriology quite difficult to pin down precisely. He is neither a high Calvinist nor an outright Arminian. Some things he says sound a bit Amyraldian, but I am not sure if that is an accurate characterisation of his overall views. Despite the obvious problems with this work, I did find it helpful on the whole and intend to read the remaining two volumes at some point in the future. The translation reads very well and the print size makes for pleasant reading.
September 20, 2021
An absolute gem
September 5, 2018
Excellent doctrinal devotional book that expounds on the reason we have for living for Christ. The pages of this book are filled with explanations from Scripture for how Christ created us and all things, and did all of the work in saving us. This is the reason we have for serving and obeying him until we reach the glories of heaven. What more reason do we need!
November 11, 2019
This is a book that every Lutheran should read. Gerhard manages to write a book on piety which is gospel-saturated, yet strong on the necessity of Christian sanctification. Immensely practical and theologically rich.
January 28, 2015
If there ever was an example of the beauty of true theological studies, this book is the primer. Sainted Dr. Gerhard teaches and admonishes pastors and lay alike, with his insights and studies. If we think we have the answers, if we have insights because of new discoveries, new tools, better understanding, this book will quickly humble the most fervent follower of postmodern theology.
I don't even know where to begin, except that this book should be on the book shelf of every pastor today. In addition, anyone who has a foundness, an appreciation, or a yearning to delve deeper into sound and right biblically based theological study, will benefit immensely from this book.
This book has so much meat, so much to teach, it will not only be a book you should read cover to cover, but one you will refer to for its it's excellent pearls of wisdom and faith.
I don't even know where to begin, except that this book should be on the book shelf of every pastor today. In addition, anyone who has a foundness, an appreciation, or a yearning to delve deeper into sound and right biblically based theological study, will benefit immensely from this book.
This book has so much meat, so much to teach, it will not only be a book you should read cover to cover, but one you will refer to for its it's excellent pearls of wisdom and faith.
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July 1, 2017I loved Gerhard's Sacred Meditations and I loved this book as well! Gerhard's book Schola Pietatis instructs about how we ought to live in godliness. The reason being is that God has done EVERYTHING for US! How we ought to be thankful because He created us, redeemed us, and sanctified us. This read was so very comforting. God be praised! Looking forward to the Second Volume.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews