# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_December 1857_S366
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

366 Dr. Martin Luther's Instruction in the Right Study of Theology.

reprinted in 1842 (Leipzig, at R. Beier's). And it is this little writing which our esteemed colleague, Conrector Schick, has translated into German and given over to the press. It is indeed „dedicated in the first place to the German students of theology in America“, yet it is so constituted that it will also be of exceedingly great use to those who have already completed their theological course and stand in office; indeed laymen too will read the little book with joy and to the great furtherance of their Christianity. It shows the way to true divine learning — to theology, not so much as it is now commonly regarded, namely as a scientific presentation of Christianity or even as a „Christian“ philosophy of religion, but rather as the godly men of old regarded it, as a „habitus θεόςδοτος practicus“, that is, as a God-wrought active capacity and readiness with respect to the revealed truths, one that has become, so to speak, a second nature to a man. The little book falls into 3 principal parts. In the first Weller gives instruction in the right study of Scripture and shows its relation to other studies, e.g. to church history, to linguistic and other sciences. In the second part Weller treats of the reading of the church fathers and especially of the writings of Luther. In the third part, finally, he gives rules and counsels for the right manner of preaching. We deliberately give no further extract from the writing. We only remark this much, that the little book is a true quintessence, a true extract of the best that has ever been written on the true study of theology. The book deserves not only to be read, but to be studied with great earnestness and to be read and meditated through again and again. The main thing, to be sure, is that one make the trial and faithfully follow the instruction given therein. We are convinced that scarcely one reader among the preachers will read it through who will not indeed at the close cry out with sighing: „Would to God I had had this instruction at the beginning of my studies! How many a detour would I then not have taken, and what a wholly different goal would I have reached!“ — but who would also not be constrained to praise God that through this golden little book he has received instruction to make up much that he has neglected, with God's help. We take leave further to point out to those who have opportunity to bring the little book, in an English translation as well, among the members of the English-speaking ministry, how greatly they would advance the cause of our church under God's blessing were they to do this. The price of the little book (23 pages, stitched, in a stiff colored wrapper) is 10 cents.