Der Anderteil Der Bücher, Schrifften, und Predigten des Ehrwirdigen Herrn D. Martin Luthers

Title

Der Anderteil Der Bücher, Schrifften, und Predigten des Ehrwirdigen Herrn D. Martin Luthers

Description

Book of the complete edition of Luther's writings (1565). With title page in red and black lettering, on the back a splendid coloured woodcut with two representations of coats of arms. Then a preface, index and further on 502 pages of Luther's writings with many coloured initials. The richly embossed pigskin binding with three borders, from the outside to the inside: a floral border, a prophet border with coat of arms and portraits of Erasmus of Rotterdam, Martin Luther and others. In the centre field, a large plate embossed in relief with various musicians. Furthermore, two metal book clasps with engraving.

c. 1565

Artist

Gaubisch (1527-1612)

Historical Description

Theology means "the doctrine of God" or gods in general, and the teachings of the content of a specific religious faith and its documents of belief in particular. The term theologia appeared in ancient Greece to the polytheistic world of gods there. There it denoted the "speech of God," the chanting and telling of stories about the gods. In the second century the term was taken up by Christian authors, the apologists, who used it in contrast to the mythologia (telling of stories about the gods) of the polytheistic pagan authors. In Eusebius, the term means something like "the Christian understanding of God." In all patristic authors, however, the term did not refer to Christian doctrine in general, but only to those aspects of it that related directly to God. Thus, the only early Christian authors who were specifically called "theologians" were the author of the Gospel of John and Gregory of Nazianzus, because God was central to their teaching. Theologians in the early church were often bishops, and in the Middle Ages they were usually monks. The Reformers re-emphasized the practical aspect of theology. Thus Martin Luther also stands in the tradition of the monastic anchoring of theology as it was effective in the Middle Ages, for example, with Anselm of Canterbury and Bernard of Clairvaux. Theology was a practical science in the sense that it was completely related to the appropriation of salvation by God, that is, to the practical execution of the life of faith. The theologies in Christianity are understood as scientific studies of the sources of faith (Biblical Theology and Historical Theology) and of the practice of faith (Practical Theology), as well as a systematic analysis and presentation of faith. (Systematic theology, including fundamental theology, dogmatics, and ethics). In the 20th century, intercultural theology was added as a discipline, which examines the relationship of Christian theology and practice in the context of different cultures, religions, and societies and is dedicated to questions of intercultural as well as interreligious coexistence.