Compendium of Positive Theology
by Johann Wilhelm Baier (1647-1695)
(1877)
Edited by C. F. W. Walther, St. Louis, Concordia Publishing House, 1877 (Abridged).
The Baier/Walther Compendium served as the systematic theology textbook for the first few generations of Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod pastors. Written in Latin, it is a revised edition of a classic work by the Seventeenth Century Lutheran dogmatian Johannes Baier. This edition contains an english translation of the theses at the head of each chapter. Later editions will offer the full text of the work.
CONTENT Compendium of Positive Theology
Prolegomena
Brown The Devil's Mission of Amusement 7 page article from 1889. Hollywood in the church and her ministries. Brown was a student of C.H Spurgeon.
Excerpts:
Different days demand their own special testimony. The watchman who would be faithful to his Lord and to the city of his God needs to carefully note the signs of the times and to emphasize his witness accordingly. Concerning the testimony needed now, there can be little if any doubt. An evil is in the professed camp of the Lord, that is so gross, so brazen in its impudence, that the most shortsighted of spiritual men can hardly fail to notice it.... Amusement for the people is the leading article advertised by each... until the hideous fact has been proved up to the hilt, that "amusement" is ousting "the preaching of the Gospel" as the great attraction... The Concert is fast becoming as much a recognized part of church life as the Prayer Meeting; and it is already, in most places, far better attended.
"Providing recreation for the people" will soon be looked upon as a necessary part of Christian work, and as binding upon the Church of God, as though it were a Divine command, unless some strong voices are raised which will make themselves heard.
Read the 7-page article: Brown, The Devil's Mission of Amusement.
Chap. 1: On the nature and definition of theology
Chap. 2: On the principle of revealed theology, or on Sacred Scripture
Part 1
Chap. 1: On God
Chap. 2: On Creation
Chap. 3: On Angels
Chap. 4: On the image of God collected in the first creation of humans
Chap. 5: On the providence of God
Chap. 6: On eternal blessedness
Chap. 7: On death or eternal damnation
Chap. 8: On temporal death
Chap. 9: On the resurrection of the dead
Chap. 10: On the last judgment and the end of the world
Part 2
Chap. 1: On sin in general
Chap. 2: On original sin
Chap. 3: On actual sins
Part 3
Chap. 1: On the grace of God towards fallen humans, the first principle of our salvation
Chap. 2: On Christ, the principal and foundation of our salvation
Chap. 3: On faith in Christ
Chap. 4: On regeneration and conversion
Chap. 5: On justification
Chap. 6: On renewal and good works
Chap. 7: On the word of law and gospel
Chap. 8: On the sacraments in general
Chap. 9: On the sacraments of the Old Testament
Chap.10: On baptism
Chap.11: On the holy supper
Chap.12: On predestination and reprobation
Appendix
Chap.13: On the church
Chap.14: On the ecclesiastical ministry
Chap.15: On the political magistrates
Chap.16: About the domestic state and society, and especially the state of marriage, parents, and masters
This text was translated by Rev. Theodore Mayes and is copyrighted material, (c)1996, but is free for non-commercial use or distribution, and especially for use on Project Wittenberg. Please direct any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary.
E-mail: smithre@mail.ctsfw.edu
Surface Mail: 66000 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA
Phone: (260) 452-2123 Fax: (260) 452-2126
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fam26 Wise advice for youth version 2.1 is a tract for helping youth to consider the wisdom and guidance of their parents.
Excerpt: Youth is a time of much energy, strength, and activity. They “get bored” very easily because they always want to go, move, have experiences, and do things (but they do not include work in these desires as a rule). To be quiet, calm, and have patience is not normal for youth. On the other hand, the “beauty” of age is its experiences and understanding (wisdom). (They have been down life’s road before and made all these mistakes themselves, in their own life.)
Read the Tracts: fam26 advice for youth version 2.1.
