beginning, or arbitrarily adopt a starting-point of his own; for everything here depends on where and how one begins. I have not therefore been able to follow the well-meant counsel to simply strike out the "Presuppositions." I would gladly have responded to another advice to work up the notes into the text; but I would then have been compelled to double the size of some chapters. The form of this book, in many respects awkward, may continue as it is so long as it represents the difficulties by which the subject is still pressed. When they have been removed--and the smallest number of them lie in the subject matter--I will gladly break up this form of the book and try to give it another shape. For the friendly reception given to it I have to offer my heartiest thanks. But against those who, believing themselves in possession of a richer view of the history here related, have called my conception meagre, I appeal to the beautiful words of Tertullian; "Malumus in scripturis minus, si forte, sapere quam contra." _Marburg_, 24th December, 1887. AUTHOR'S PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. In the six years that have passed since the appearance of the second edition I have continued to work at the book, and have made use of the new sources and investigations that have appeared during this period, as well as corrected and extended my account in many passages. Yet I have not found it necessary to make many changes in the second half of the work. The increase of about sixty pages is almost entirely in the first half. _Berlin_, 31st December, 1893 CONTENTS INTRODUCTORY DIVISION. CHAPTER I.--PROLEGOMENA TO THE STUDY OF THE HISTORY OF DOGMA Sec. 1. The Idea and Task of the History of Dogma Definition Limits and Divisions Dogma and Theology Factors in the formation of Dogma Explanation as to the conception and task of the History of Dogma Sec. 2. History of the History of Dogma The Early, the Mediaeval, and the Roman Catholic Church The Reformers and the 17th Century Mosheim, Walch, Ernesti Lessing, Semler, Lange, Muenscher, Baumgarten-Crusius, Meier Baur, Neander, Kliefoth, Thomasius, Nitzsch, Ritschl, Renan, Loofs CHAPTER II.--THE PRESUPPOSITIONS OF THE HISTORY OF DOGMA Sec. 1. Introductory The Gospel and the Old Testament The Detachment of the Christians from the Jewish Church The Church and the Graeco-Roman World The Greek spirit an element of the Ecclesiastical Doctrine of Faith The Elements connecting Primitive Christianity and the growing Catholic Church The Presuppositions of the origin of the Apostolic Catholic Doctrine of Faith Sec. 2. The Gospel of Jesus Christ according to His own Testimony concerning Himself Fundamental Features Details Supplements Literature Sec. 3. The Common Preaching concerning Jesus Christ in the first generation of believers. General Outline The faith of the first Disciples The beginnings of Christology Conceptions of the Work of Jesus Belief in the Resurrection