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Christian Dogmatics Volume 3
A translation of Christliche Dogmatik, Volume III addresses sanctification, good works, christian life, means of grace, law and gospel, baptism, Lord's Supper, Christian church, public ministry, eternal election, and eschatology.
- GenresTheologyChristianity
578 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1953
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January 1, 2026
THE FINAL VOLUME OF AN INFLUENTIAL THEOLOGICAL WORK
Franz August Otto Pieper (1852-1931) was a Lutheran (Missouri Synod) theologian who was a professor of theology and later president at Concordia Seminary, as well as president of the Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other states. This third volume was first published in 1920; Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 were published in 1924 and 1917, respectively.
He states, "While justification is always perfect, admitting of no degrees, our sanctification in this life will remain imperfect, showing a minus, sometimes a plus, but never reaching perfection." (Pg. 30) He further counsels, "without the universal objective reconciliation... the perseverance of a believer, or the return of a backslider cannot be achieved." (Pg. 91)
He asserts, "God's justice sentences sinners to (eternal torment). His grace declares the same sinners in the same condition heirs of salvation. How both properties, or 'traits,' form a 'higher unity' in the one indivisible God exceeds our comprehension." (Pg. 251) He wonders, "Are children of Christians who die without Baptism saved? There is some basis for the hope that God has a method, not revealed to us, by which He works faith in the children of Christians dying without Baptism..." (Pg. 278) Later, he adds, "The question whence the child acquired a faith of its own need not seriously trouble us. Since we know that Baptism has taken the place of circumcision and is thus the means of grace for the children... we can rest assured that Christ will provide the children with the medium, faith, by which alone they can accept the blessing and the kingdom of heaven." (Pg. 285)
He argues, "the Reformed doctrine of the Lord's Supper demands a great amount of 'exegesis.' ... The Apostle Paul, too, would have had to add an extensive commentary to his statements on the Lord's Supper if his purpose had been to call forth Reformed conceptions of the Sacrament in his readers..." (Pg. 339-340) He asserts that "The church is invisible... because the constitutive factor... faith in the heart, is invisible for men and known only to God." (Pg. 408) He also contends, "Scripture teaches that Christians owe their whole Christian state ... to their eternal election; but ... Scripture also excludes the thought that the unbelief of the lost can be traced to a predestination to damnation." (Pg. 495)
This is a very helpful systematic theology, and will be of interest to theology students.
Franz August Otto Pieper (1852-1931) was a Lutheran (Missouri Synod) theologian who was a professor of theology and later president at Concordia Seminary, as well as president of the Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other states. This third volume was first published in 1920; Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 were published in 1924 and 1917, respectively.
He states, "While justification is always perfect, admitting of no degrees, our sanctification in this life will remain imperfect, showing a minus, sometimes a plus, but never reaching perfection." (Pg. 30) He further counsels, "without the universal objective reconciliation... the perseverance of a believer, or the return of a backslider cannot be achieved." (Pg. 91)
He asserts, "God's justice sentences sinners to (eternal torment). His grace declares the same sinners in the same condition heirs of salvation. How both properties, or 'traits,' form a 'higher unity' in the one indivisible God exceeds our comprehension." (Pg. 251) He wonders, "Are children of Christians who die without Baptism saved? There is some basis for the hope that God has a method, not revealed to us, by which He works faith in the children of Christians dying without Baptism..." (Pg. 278) Later, he adds, "The question whence the child acquired a faith of its own need not seriously trouble us. Since we know that Baptism has taken the place of circumcision and is thus the means of grace for the children... we can rest assured that Christ will provide the children with the medium, faith, by which alone they can accept the blessing and the kingdom of heaven." (Pg. 285)
He argues, "the Reformed doctrine of the Lord's Supper demands a great amount of 'exegesis.' ... The Apostle Paul, too, would have had to add an extensive commentary to his statements on the Lord's Supper if his purpose had been to call forth Reformed conceptions of the Sacrament in his readers..." (Pg. 339-340) He asserts that "The church is invisible... because the constitutive factor... faith in the heart, is invisible for men and known only to God." (Pg. 408) He also contends, "Scripture teaches that Christians owe their whole Christian state ... to their eternal election; but ... Scripture also excludes the thought that the unbelief of the lost can be traced to a predestination to damnation." (Pg. 495)
This is a very helpful systematic theology, and will be of interest to theology students.
May 15, 2016
Took me exactly one month to read this book, and for good reason. It is pretty dense, however, Pieper's Systematic theology has helped me fill in so many gaps in my understanding of the Christian Faith.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews