Confessio Catholica
Encyclopedia
Confessio catholica is one of the main works of German Orthodox Lutheran
theologian Johann Gerhard
(1582–1637). It seeks to prove the evangelical and catholic character of the doctrine of the Augsburg Confession
from the writings of approved Roman Catholic authors.
Confessio catholica, in qua doctrina catholica et evangelica, quam ecclesiae Augustanae confessioni addictae profilentur, ex Romano-catholicorum scriptorum suffragiis confirmatur (4 parts, Frankfort and Leipsic, 1634–37), is based upon the Catalogus testium veritatis of Flacius
. It is more comprehensive than its title denotes, being at the same time an extensive apology
and polemic of
the Evangelical Creed. The first part is general and treats the principia et media nostrae et pontificiae religionis. The other three volumes treat the disputed articles of faith in the order of
Bellarmine
, the controversialist par excellence. Its contents may be compared with Gerhard's Theological Commonplaces: On the Church, an earlier handling with many themes in common with the Confessio Catholica.
Lutheran Orthodoxy
Lutheran orthodoxy was an era in the history of Lutheranism, which began in 1580 from the writing of the Book of Concord and ended at the Age of Enlightenment. Lutheran orthodoxy was paralleled by similar eras in Calvinism and tridentine Roman Catholicism after the...
theologian Johann Gerhard
Johann Gerhard
Johann Gerhard was a Lutheran church leader and Lutheran Scholastic theologian during the period of Orthodoxy.-Biography:He was born in the German city of Quedlinburg...
(1582–1637). It seeks to prove the evangelical and catholic character of the doctrine of the Augsburg Confession
Augsburg Confession
The Augsburg Confession, also known as the "Augustana" from its Latin name, Confessio Augustana, is the primary confession of faith of the Lutheran Church and one of the most important documents of the Lutheran reformation...
from the writings of approved Roman Catholic authors.
Confessio catholica, in qua doctrina catholica et evangelica, quam ecclesiae Augustanae confessioni addictae profilentur, ex Romano-catholicorum scriptorum suffragiis confirmatur (4 parts, Frankfort and Leipsic, 1634–37), is based upon the Catalogus testium veritatis of Flacius
Matthias Flacius
Matthias Flacius Illyricus was a Lutheran reformer.He was born in Carpano, a part of Albona in Istria, son of Andrea Vlacich alias Francovich and Jacobea Luciani, daughter of a wealthy and powerful Albonian family...
. It is more comprehensive than its title denotes, being at the same time an extensive apology
Apologetics
Apologetics is the discipline of defending a position through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers Apologetics (from Greek ἀπολογία, "speaking in defense") is the discipline of defending a position (often religious) through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers...
and polemic of
the Evangelical Creed. The first part is general and treats the principia et media nostrae et pontificiae religionis. The other three volumes treat the disputed articles of faith in the order of
Bellarmine
Bellarmine
Bellarmine can refer to:*Robert Bellarmine , a Cardinal and saint of the Catholic Church*The schools named after him:**Bellarmine University, in Louisville, Kentucky**Bellarmine College Preparatory, in San Jose, California...
, the controversialist par excellence. Its contents may be compared with Gerhard's Theological Commonplaces: On the Church, an earlier handling with many themes in common with the Confessio Catholica.
Links
- Confessio Catholica (Jena, 1634), volume 1: Introductory volume
- Confessio Catholica (Jena, 1634), volume 2/1: On the Word of God, Christ, the Roman Pontiff, councils, and the Church
- Confessio Catholica (Jena, 1636), volume 2/2: On clergy, monks, laity, purgatory, saints, sacraments, Baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, and the Mass
- Confessio Catholica (Jena, 1637), volume 2/3: On penance, extreme unction, sacrament of order, matrimony, the grace of the first man, sin, grace and free choice, justification, and good works