Pastor

Baier, J. – Compendium of Positive Theology

Posted on by David Cox

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. Continue reading →

Miller, S. – Ruling Elder

Posted on by David Cox

An Essay on the Warrant, Nature and Duties of the Office of the Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church
by Samuel Miller, D.D.
Professor of Ecclesiastical History and church Government in the Theological Seminary at Princeton, N.J.

In this work (15 chapters) by Miller (Presbyterian-Reformed), he examines the ministry of ruling elder first looking at the testimony of the OT church, the evidence in the NT, the testimony of the church fathers, of the witnesses in the dark ages, of the reformers and those since their time. He then looks at their need in the church, the nature nd duties of such an office, their distinction with deacons, their qualification for office, their election, their ordination, their resignation, and the conducting of discipline on them on the presbyterian plan.




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