Handbook of Consolations: For the Fears and Trials That Oppress Us in the Stuggle with Death

by Johann Gerhard, Carl L. Beckwith (Translator)

Johann Gerhard (1582-1637) was one of the leading dogmatic theologians of his time and was the authoritative voice of seventeenth-century Lutheran Orthodoxy. Yet, he also published numerous devotional works and meditations that were meant to be used in the daily lives of ordinary believers. The Handbook of Consolations sought to provide comfort and encouragement not only to those approaching death, but also to those who provided care for the sick and dying. Gerhard himself was no stranger to sickness and death, having lost his infant son and young wife, and faced numerous life-threatening illnesses throughout his life. In this pastoral work, which is the first complete English translation based on Gerhard's original Latin to be published since the seventeenth century, Gerhard brings together his extensive understanding of Scripture, theology, and church history in a practical and easy-to-understand manual that is as relevant and meaningful in the twenty-first century as it was in Gerhard's day.

Genres: Theology, Christian

106 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Johann 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.

Reviews

[Mallory Johnson]

This was such a tender little book! Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul™️

But seriously, I highly recommend this not just for those doing pastoral work, but for any Christian experiencing doubt, fear, or guilt. I really enjoyed it :')

[Salvador Blanco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gospel. Gold. My my! Gerhard, a dogmatician shows he can do both – clearly presenting and applying the comfort of the gospel. Gerhard gives rich thoughts for one to prepare to die. In an age that only thinks about living, it's important to ponder death with Gerhard. Translated by one my favorites: Carl Loquacious Beckwith.

Good quotes:

"Weak faith is still faith" (36).

"He who promised to hear our prayers has told us to ask for the remission of sins. Therefore, what place remains for doubt concerning the remission of sins? Why would Christ have directed us to end our prayers with the word, Amen, if He would wish us to doubt who hears our prayers?" (51)

[Ryan Linkous · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very encouraging for one's faith. Gerhard wrote this book to comfort the doubting who are near death. However, it also seems fitting for Christians who have any doubts at all about their salvation. Gerhard repeatedly articulates the Reformation emphasis on the gospel (and Christ) as something we cling to by faith which should be our hope now unto eternity. He answers objections ranging from the efficacy of Christ's work, to the uncertainty or weakness of faith, to doubting God's ability to resurrect from the dead. He also assuages fears about the pain and fear of death by demonstrating the Christian's eternal reward in eternal life.

I believe the book got better toward the end, but it still remains a valuable tool devotionally and pastorally.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic Reformation ars moriendi with plenty of patristic support. It is on par with anything Chemnitz ever did. The translation reads very smoothly.