PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY ITS WRITINGS AND TEACHINGS IN BY OTTO PFLEIDERER, D.D. PROFESSOR OF PRACTICAL THEOLOGY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BERLIN TRANSLATED BY W. MONTGOMERY, B.D. AND EDITED BY THE REV. W. D. MORRISON, LL.D. VOL. I WILLIAMS & NORGATE 14 HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON du 2014 PREFACE In the present edition the work appears in a thoroughly revised and greatly extended form. The progress which the last decade has witnessed in exegetical and critical studies, and in the historical investigation of religion, has throughout been turned to account. Among theologians of the present day, I am indebted above all others to my honoured friend Dr Heinrich Holtzmann, whose works on New Testament Introduction, Theology, and Exegesis are so notably distinguished by complete mastery of the material, by absence of prejudice, and by critical acumen, that they will doubtless long rank as standard authorities. But I have carefully studied also the work of other theologians of the most diverse tendencies; and where I have learned anything from them, or have had the satisfaction of finding myself in agreement with their results, I have indicated of the fact by quotations or refer⇓ences. On the other hand, I have on principle refrained from polemics, in order, for one thing, not to extend my book beyond due limits, but also because, in my belief, polemics are of little value. Those who are directly attacked seldom allow them |