What Is Happening Concerning the Progress of the Modern Lutheran Theology in the Doctrine?: In Regard to the Doctrine of the Creation of Man

Abstract

This translated article from Lehre und Wehre (February 1878) examines the theological development and controversies surrounding the doctrine of the creation of man within modern Lutheran theology. Drawing on classical Lutheran theologians such as Hollaz, Calov, Quenstedt, and Gerhard, the article presents a series of theses affirming the biblical teaching that the human soul was created by God and did not emanate from His divine essence. It contrasts these positions with antitheses from figures like Hofmann, Delitzsch, and Philippi, who propose more speculative or pantheistic views, including the idea that man’s spirit is a direct emanation of God or that man was created in the image of the Son. The article also addresses the nature of the image of God, its loss through the fall, and the implications for anthropology and soteriology. The translation preserves the original theological rigor and historical context. Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).