DR. JOHN GERHARD'S

CATHOLIC

CONFESSION

The title "Confessio Catholica" (Catholic Confession) does not refer to the Roman Catholic Church. Instead, Gerhard uses the word "Catholic" in its original Greek sense of "Universal," arguing that Lutheran doctrine represents the true, universal faith of the ancient Christian church.

( BY JOHANN ERNEST GERHARD )

Johann Ernst Gerhard (1621–1668) was the son of the author, John Gerhard. He was a noted scholar of Oriental languages and theology who edited his father's massive works for student use.

Doctor of Sacred Theologyoriginal: "SS. Theol. D." (Sacrosanctae Theologiae Doctor). A high academic degree in divinity., Public Professororiginal: "PP." (Professor Publicus). A university professor who held a chair and gave public lectures. & current RectorThe head or administrative leader of the university. of the Academy

( in

Condensed into an Abridgment and subjected to public

Examination. )

original: "in Epitomen redacta." This indicates that the younger Gerhard has shortened his father's multi-volume masterwork into a more manageable "epitome" or summary for academic debate.

original: "Cum Privilegio S. Cæs. Majest." This was a 17th-century form of copyright granted by the Holy Roman Emperor, protecting the publisher from unauthorized reprints.

An ornate woodcut emblem featuring an oval frame. Inside the oval, a figure stands in a rural landscape. A motto follows the upper curve of the frame: "ALL MY GOODS ARE GIFTS FROM GOD" original: "OMNIA MEA BONA SUNT DEI DONA". The oval is flanked by decorative scrollwork and rests on a small circular pedestal or seal.

( JENA,

At the expense of Georg Sengenwald.

In the year 1661. )