berwfarm marilea makimus
Denisha Cerniglia
Johann Peter Lange, born on April 10, 1802, in Sonnborn, now part of Wuppertal, Germany, was a distinguished Protestant theologian who left an indelible mark on 19th-century Christian scholarship. Educated at the University of Bonn, where he was deeply influenced by the works of Friedrich Schleiermacher and the burgeoning movement of German Romanticism, Lange's intellectual journey was a quest for a harmonious synthesis between historical-critical methods of biblical interpretation and a vibrant, living faith.
In his early career, Lange served as a pastor in Langenberg, Duisburg, and Zrich, where he not only ministered to his congregations but also engaged in prolific writing and research. His deep commitment to pastoral care was matched by an equally fervent passion for academic theology, making him a respected figure among both his parishioners and peers.
Perhaps Lange's most monumental contribution to Christian theology is his "Theologisch-Homiletisches Bibelwerk," a comprehensive Bible commentary that sought to integrate rigorous historical scholarship with practical applications for preaching and teaching. This work, known in English as Lange's Commentary, encapsulates his vision of an intellectually robust yet devoutly faithful approach to Scripture, and it has endured as a valuable resource for theologians, pastors, and lay readers alike.
Lange's influence extended beyond his written works. As a professor at the universities of Bonn and Bonn, he mentored a generation of theologians, instilling in them a love for scholarly excellence grounded in a living faith. His legacy is characterized by his unwavering commitment to the integrity of Christian doctrine, his innovative approach to biblical exegesis, and his dedication to bridging the gap between the academy and the church.
Johann Peter Lange's life and work serve as a testament to the enduring power of thoughtful, faith-filled engagement with the Christian Scriptures. He passed away on July 9, 1884, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire and inform Christian thought and practice.
This website is designed to assist teachers and students of the gospel. The format is set up to provide more information on the most important topics in any given chapter of scripture. Specific quotes from the General Authorities are given to confirm the validity of the doctrine being taught and to provide good quotes for use in classes and talks. It is recommended that the reader read the commentary for the entire chapter, especially if looking for commentary on a phrase or verse that was not specifically referenced. If the same topic was dealt with elsewhere in the chapter, it may be discussed at length in another section.
It is the experience of the author/editor of this website that too many Sunday School classes and gospel discussions focus on the same superficial concepts, year after year. In the scriptures, there are a lot of profound truths which can help us understand God and how He would like us to live. Unfortunately, these are rarely brought into the discussion. Sometimes teachers are faced with teaching a myriad of different possible topics and make the mistake of trying to cover all of them or else they cover the less important subjects. It is hoped that this website will help improve gospel lessons, improve personal scripture study, and improve access to the doctrines of the Church.
One might argue that this website offers nothing new, that doctrinal commentary books have already been written and by more credible authors. This statement is true. There has been a great body of literature written to help us understand the scriptures. What makes this work unique is its availability on the internet; it is free, and it provides a collection of quotes from many different sources to paint a crystal clear picture of what the prophets are teaching. Decide for yourself whether it has any value. If you have any comments or criticisms (particularly if you're sure that false doctrine is being taught on this website), please let me know via the contact form.
Lastly, I need to explain the big picture for this website. We are pleased to announce that every chapter of the New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price has complete commentary. Not so with the Old Testament. While trying to keep the website up to date with recent conference material, we are also trying to finish a complete commentary on every Old Testament chapter. However, since it has taken 12 years to produce commentary on the other standard works, the Old Testament will likely take quite some time to complete. Still, much is already available and useful for review.
The following information is provided as a service to students of the gospel of Jesus Christ as believed by the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The information contained herein is meant to be doctrinally correct, but this website is not an official site of the church and none of the material contained herein is meant to represent the official stand of the church on any gospel topic. Where possible, sources are listed to aid the reader to discern the validity of any given statement. The creator/editor of this website takes full responsibility for the material contained herein.
The United Methodist Church identifies four documents as the "doctrinal standards" of the denomination. The Articles of Religion and Confession of Faith (see below) provide the foundational framework for United Methodist doctrine. All United Methodists are expected to teach in accordance with the statements of these two documents.
The other two documents fill out some detail about more specific matters. John Wesley developed his set of "Standard Sermons" (which United Methodists identify as Sermons 1-52 in Thomas Jackson's numbering of Sermons on Several Occasions) as sermons to be preached verbatim by those still learning Christian doctrine and how to preach. His Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament offers brief commentary on the New Testament.
The Articles of Religion were edited and adapted by John Wesley from the Articles of Religion of the Church of England (1563). John and Charles Wesley were priests in the Church of England, and many of the first Methodists were members of it. The Methodist Episcopal Church slightly adapted them in the early years of the denomination (before 1808) for use in the United States of America.
The Confession of Faith from The Evangelical United Brethren Church contains 16 articles. They are similar to the Articles of Religion, on which they are largely based. The Confession of Faith also includes perspectives unique to the heritage of the Evangelical United Brethren. United Methodist interpret the Articles of Religion and the Confession of Faith as complementary and not as contradictory.
The General Rules are Methodism's guidance about how to live as faithful disciples of Jesus, fulfilling the vows of baptism. These, with the Articles and Confession, have been protected from any alteration by a General Conference by restrictive rules that require a 2/3 vote of the General Conference plus supermajorities of votes of all annual conferences worldwide. For the Articles and Confession, a 3/4 supermajority is required. For the General Rules, a 2/3 supermajority is required. It is unlikely that such supermajorities will be achieved to enable any further alterations.
The original title of this document was "General Rules for Our United Societies" because they were designed for use in the class meetings of the Methodist Societies John and Charles had organized throughout England, Ireland, and British colonies in North America. They were adopted as continuing guidelines within the Methodist Episcopal Church when it organized in 1784.
There are just three rules, under each Wesley gives a variety of examples. The rules are (1) to do no harm, (2) to do good and (3) to attend upon all the ordinances of God, including worship, searching the scripture, personal and family prayer, fasting, and the sacraments. Practicing these means of grace empowers us to live as United Methodist Christians.
The Bible
The Bible is the primary source for Christian faith and life. In both the Articles and the Confession, United Methodists clarify how they understand the role of the Bible. In the words of the Confession, the Bible "reveals the word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation." The Articles state, "The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation." Both make it clear that United Methodists understand the Bible to be a "salvation book," not a science book, a history book, or a book with guidance for specific forms of civil government. Its value is to teach us about the salvation offered by God's grace through Jesus Christ.
The Historic Creeds
The Articles of Religion of the Church of England included an article asserting that the Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds "ought to be thoroughly received and believed." John Wesley omitted this article when he edited them for use by American Methodists. Instead of using them as doctrinal standards, Wesley showed how to use them in worship. He edited the 1662 Book of Common Prayer for use by Methodists. There, he retained the Apostles Creed for morning and evening prayer and at baptism. He omitted the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds entirely. Today, United Methodists continue to use the Apostles Creed at baptism, and for Sunday worship may choose from a variety of affirmations of faith, including the Apostles and Nicene Creeds among others.
Beliefs Shared with Other Christians
We have a separate guide just for Bible Commentaries, which you can explore for more extended recommendations. We also suggest you take a look at these and other commentary surveys to get you started - these reference sources list and review different commentaries, providing you with important information about the doctrinal perspectives and subject focuses guiding different series.
c01484d022