Contemporary Literature [pp. 729-761]

CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE.
ART. XI. CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE.
RECENT GERMAN WVORKS.
,4foo/tgeik. NWissenschaftliche Rechtfertigung des Christenthums, von J.
IS. A. EBRARD. Erster Theil. In theintroduction the author distinguishes betw een Apologetics as theory,and Apologetics as practice,but contends that the
theory of Apologetics passes over at once into practice in Aology. He then
defines Apologetics as the science of the defense of the truth of Christianity.
He then divides this defense into two parts: (i. ) The defense of the eternal
contents of the truth of Christianity measured by the facts of nature and the
human consciousness. (2.) The defense of the historical character of
Christianity. The author devotes a considerable space to the refutation of
the Darwin hypothesis. It is gratifying to observe that he deals with the
lix ing issues of the present conflict with materialism, wxhilst Pantheism takes
a subordinate place.
Dogfmalik. Akademische Vorlesungen, von A. F. C. VILMAR. A
work edited by Dr. Piderit after the death of the author. The principle on
which he builds his system is briefly stated, thus: "The source of Dogmatics is the Lord Christ himself in His person and work; the normn is the
sacred Scriptures; the friuchl/e is justification by faith alone; and the doctrinal
a tl'hority, the confession of the Church." His scheme is: I. Theology (I),
Being and Attributes of God; (2), Creation and Providence: (3), the Trinity;
(4), the Angels II. Anthropology (I), statzus iltegritatis; (2), statius cor;z'/?tioniis. The second vxolume, soon to appear, promises III. Soteriology;
IN'. Doctrine of the Church; V. Eschatology.
Geschichlte der C'zristic/z-Laecizischeu Literatur vou ihren 4 /ifdzgez
b/s uzt;;z Zcitaolfer Arl aes Grossei, xon ADOLF EB,!,RT. This is the first
volume of an Allgemeine Gesch. der Literaturdes Mlittelalters im Abendlande.
He makes three periods. (I.) From Minucius Felix to the time of Constantine. (2.) From the time of Constantine to thle death of Augustine.
(3.) From the death of Augustine to Chlariemagne. A large work of 600oo
pages, with index.
Bib/io/ieca [TVi'ieic,,zza Spanish Reformers of two centuries from I1520,
their lives and wxritings, according to the late Benjamin B. Wiffen's plan:
and Nxith the use of his materials, described by Edwxard Boehmer.'This,
which is the first volume, contains an introductory account of the labors of
SIr. \Wiffen in gathering the manusc-ript material, and the lives and writings
of Juan and Alfonso de Valdes, Francisco d'Enzinas and Juan Diaz, etc.
The work is written in English hy a German professor. The style is
an axwkward mixture of German and Engllsli. There is, however, a mass of
valuable matter presented which will be gratefully accepted by all who are
desirous of a closer acquaintance with the Spanish martyrs to the Reformed
faith, especially in these times when Spain has opened her gates to the proclamation of the free gospel.
1574.]
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