Dogmahistorien: Foreward

In the possession of the Gisle Johnson Project are two copies of Dogmahistorien, or Dogmatic History, a historical theology where Gisle Johnson analyzes the progress of doctrine as it unfolds through time and in the Church. Published posthumously in 1897 in this early example of a paperback edition (one having been rebound due to understandably poor condition), this work is the product of Gisle Johnson's lecturing career after his move from the Chair of Theology into the Chair of History in 1875. It is interesting that his biographer, Godvin Ousland, paints this as a move toward resignation and retirement on Gisle's part, as though he was worn out and effectively 'done' with theology. On the contrary, these lectures seem to represent the culmination of Gisle's lecturing career, and elements of them are found as early as 1851. They represent a 'final stage' of Gisle's thought, progressing from prolegomena (the 'Pistik,' on faith), into dogmatics, into ethics, and finally into a historical analysis of how the church's doctrine has exanded up to the present. A comprehensive historical analysis of doctrine thus ‘fills out’ Gisle's theological view of reality, or worldview, painting the picture of an organic view of all things progressing toward completion in God’s Kingdom and to His glory. Indeed, Gisle had given overtures toward historical theology as a sort of capstone for the systematic theological endeavor as early as the introduction to the Grundrids: “Systematic theology will therefore see in ecclesial-historical theology its necessary scientific basis and presupposition.”[1]

Presented below is a translation of H. Wølner-Hansen's foreward.

Foreward

Professor Dr. Gisle Johnson’s lectures on the history of dogma have rightly been regarded as one of the best of the late, highly esteemed teacher's excellent works. In a clear form in connection with great overview, they basically provide a systematic presentation of the historical development of the concepts of ecclesiastical teaching. It has therefore been believed that their publication would be greeted with joy. The theological students at our university, who have so far lacked such a systematic presentation of the history of dogma in our own language, have particularly expressed interest. At the same time, however, it has also been the intention to offer the educated, Christian-interested general public an opportunity to be introduced to the historical development from which the teaching concept of the church, and especially the Lutheran church, has emerged. With this in mind, all Greek and Latin quotations are given in translation.

With regard to the form in which Professor Johnson's lectures on the history of dogma are presented, taking into account the constantly renewed examination and scrutiny of his scientific works which was a characteristic of Professor Johnson's, it has been thought preferable to choose the form for publication in which the professor the gave his final lectures on the history of dogma to the students, namely in the autumn semester of 1890 and the spring semester of 1891.

The manuscript, which is available from the professor's hand, is, however, from the late 50's to the late 60's, and the last treatment differs both in terms of form and the arrangement of the content in such significant parts from the older version that this is only partial and have only been able to make use of it to a relatively small extent.

The publisher has therefore been mainly obliged to use lecture notes written down by the professor's listeners. Since Professor Johnson usually dictated his lectures, and a number of very reliable reproductions, which have been carefully compared with each other, have been available, it is believed, however, that we have achieved a reproduction as accurate and faithful as possible in content and form of Professor Johnson's lectures on the history of dogma, as they were last delivered at our university.

The publisher expresses thanks to Professor Dr. Odeland, who, by going through the manuscript and proofreading, has provided much valuable help.

Kristiania, November 1897.

The Editor

[1] Grundrids, §3.