On the Law - Theological Commonplaces

About This Volume

On the Law contains two of Gerhard’s theological commonplaces: On the Law of God and On the Ceremonial and Forensic Laws.

On the Law of God delineates the various types of God’s law, including the moral, ceremonial, and forensic laws. Gerhard dedicates the majority of this commonplace to the decalogue itself, investigating each commandment individually. He also argues for three uses of the Law, as curb, as mirror, and as guide.  

On the Ceremonial and Forensic Laws explores the laws of Israel, especially those ceremonial laws pertaining to the holy times, places, and sacrifices of the temple. Gerhard takes the common stance that the forensic law was pertinent to the Jewish political state but abrogated by Christ, unlike the moral law which persists for all nations.

About This Series

The Theological Commonplaces series is the first-ever English translation of Gerhard's monumental Loci Theologici. Gerhard was the premier Lutheran theologian of the early seventeenth century. Combining his profound understanding of evangelical Lutheran theology with a broad interest in ethics and culture, he produced significant works on biblical, doctrinal, pastoral, and devotional theology. Gerhard interacts with the writings of the church fathers, Luther and his contemporaries, and the Catholic and Calvinist theologians of his day. His 17-volume Loci is regarded as the standard compendium of Lutheran orthodoxy, with topics ranging from the proper understanding and interpretation of Scripture to eschatology.

Useful for research on Lutheran doctrine, Gerhard's accessible style makes this a must-have on the bookshelf of pastors and professional church workers.

Each embossed hardback volume includes

• the translation of Gerhard's Loci (originally published from 1610 to 1625) 
  • a glossary of key theological, rhetorical, and philosophical terms 
  • a name index 
  • a Scripture index 
  • a carefully researched works cited list that presents guidance for deciphering the numerous abbreviations of the other titles from which Gerhard quotes.

View other titles in this series here.