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Introduction To Sacred Theology, J T. Mueller

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Nature and Constitution of Sacred Theology.

The Purpose of Christian Theology

In the performance of his sacred functions the Christian theologian must at all times conscientiously keep in mind the true objective of his theological activity. The purpose of sacred theology, so far as it regards lost and perishing mankind, is not the spread of culture nor the establishment of civic righteousness on earth nor the satisfaction of the intellectual craving of the human mind nor the enrichment of human knowledge, but the eternal salvation of sinners.

Dr. Francis Pieper The Churchman, W H. Dau

Concordia Theological Monthly

''There is no such thing in the Christian Church as mere teaching; all teaching is to be reduced to practice. The Christian Church is not a philosophers' school, where only teaching is done, but a society of people who by faith in the Gospel and mortification of the flesh are traveling on the way to everlasting life and are commissioned to lead others into this way. True, there is also teaching done in the Christian Church, and this is done first and over continued. Doctrine is the basis for every activity of the Church. However, teaching is not the end, …

Introduction To Sacred Theology, J T. Mueller

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Nature and Constitution of Sacred Theology.

Theology Considered as Doctrine.

As theology, in its subjective sense, is the habitude, or ability, to teach the Word of God as set forth in Holy Scripture, in all its truth and purity, so Christian theology, in its objective sense, or conceived as doctrine, is nothing more and nothing less than the true and pure presentation of the doctrine of Holy Scripture. 1 Pet. 4, 11 : "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.'' Titus 2, 7-10: "In doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be …

Introduction To Sacred Theology, J T. Mueller

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Nature and Constitution of Sacred Theology.

The Two Sources (Principia Cognoscendi) of the Existing Religions.

As we have seen, there are but two essentially different religions, the religion of faith, or of the Gospel, and the religion of works, or of the Law. So also there are but two actual sources (principia cognoscendi, principles of knowledge) from which these two divergent religions are taken. The religion of works is of human origin; it is a man-made religion, having its source and origin in the human heart, in which God has inscribed His divine Law, so that also the heathen, …