It is now almost thirty years since, in the third session of my university course, I began clearly to perceive that the first prerequisite of theological culture is a clear understanding of the Christian idea of Reconciliation. At that time I tried to get special help towards such an understanding, but failed to find what I sought; and, as I now see, after methodical examination of the later German Theology, I had not any ground for expecting efficient aid towards the solution of the problem from any one at that time. Other problems came before me for scientific investigation; but as soon as I had brought these to a conclusion satisfactory to myself, I resumed the question of my youth in an independent way. Since 1857 my whole attention has, directly or indirectly, been devoted to the doctrines of Justification and Reconciliation, save in so far as I have been hindered by official duties and personal affairs. As result of these studies, I have already published a program, De Ira Dei (Bonn, 1859), as well as the following articles in the Jahrbücher für deutsche Theologie:—“On A. Osiander’s Doctrine of Justification” (1857, No. 4); “Studies on the Ideas of Christ’s Satisfaction and Merit” (1860, No. 4); “The Declarations of the New Testament upon the Saving Worth of the Death of Christ” (1863, Nos. 2 and 3); “Historical Studies on the Christian Doctrine of God” (in three articles, 1865, No. 2; 1868, Nos. 2 and 3). As a preparation, however, for the dogmatic presentation of these doctrines, I held it necessary to gain insight into their whole history from the beginning of the middle ages; and on this account the present volume has been written. It is published because my friends desire me to do so, and because I recognise their claim to share in my scientific acquirements. In a second volume I purpose to undertake the dogmatic presentation of the doctrines in question along with the necessary biblico-theological substructure; and for that volume I reserve many details which may seem to have been overlooked in the historical part. Where, however, certain germs or relations of thought have not attained to any historical continuity in public teaching, I have for the present left them undiscussed, in order that the historical survey might not be burdened with their treatment. In so far as they deserve attention at all, they will be taken up in the theoretical presentation of the second volume. ALBRECHT RITSCHL.
GÖTTINGEN, Sept. 17, 1870.