Synopsis "The Harmony of the Four Evangelists, Volume 3, Part 1 (in English)"
After Martin Luther, Martin Chemnitz and Johann Gerhard are often recognized as the two greatest theologians of the Lutheran Church. Both men served as Superintendents (Bishops) of the Lutheran Church, and Chemnitz distinguished himself through his labors as one of the authors of the Formula of Concord and through his numerous erudite private writings, including his Loci Theologici. Gerhard was renowned throughout the Lutheran world from the 17th century down to the present, in part because of his more'academic' works such as the Loci Theologici, but also because of his devotional works, such as the Sacred Meditations and the Daily Exercise of Piety. Only one published work was the fruit of the labors of both Chemnitz and Gerhard: The Harmony of the Four Evangelists. Chemnitz's incomplete work was continued by his successor to the office of Superintendent of Braunschweig, Polycarp Leyser, but its completion awaited the arrival of a theologian equal to the task of finishing such a monumental undertaking. The Harmony, in short, takes the text of all four Gospels and arranges them in chronological order, and then accompanies the complete text with annotations and commentary by Chemnitz, Leyser and Gerhard. Throughout, The Harmony benefits from the authors' encyclopedic knowledge of the writings of the Church Fathers, and their pastoral insights explaining the texts in a way which is extremely beneficial for clergy and laity alike. Book Three, Part One contains chapters 34 through 51: Ch. 34, the beginning of Christ's public preaching in the synagogs of Galilee, and of how He came into His hometown of Nazareth, and of how the citizens cast Him out, Mark 1:14 and Luke 4:14-30. Ch. 35, the transfer of Christ's residence from Nazareth to Capernaum, and what the chief points were of Christ's discourses in Galilee, Mat.4:13-17 and Mark 1:14-15. Ch. 36, the miraculous draught of fishes, and of the calling of Peter, Andrew, James and John, Mat.4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20 and Luke 5:1-11. Ch. 37, the healing of the demonic in the synagog at Capernaum, Mark 1:21-28 and Luke 4:31-37. Ch. 38, the healing of Peter's mother-in-law, Mat.8.14-15, Mark 1:29-31 and Luke 4:38-39. Ch. 39, the sick people whom Christ healed in the Sabbath, Mat.8:16-17, Mark 1:32-34 and Luke 4:40-41. Ch. 40, what happened on the day after that Sabbath, Mark 1:35-38 and Luke 4:42-43. Ch. 41, Christ's travels throughout all Galilee, Mat.4:23-25, Mark 1:39 and Luke 4:44. Ch. 42, the healing of the leper on the preceding journey, Mark 1:40-45 and Luke 5:12-16. Ch. 43, the healing of the paralytic, Mat.9:2-8, Mark 2:1-12 and Luke 5:17-26. Ch. 44, the calling of Matthew, Mat.9:9, Mark 2:13-14 and Luke 5:27-28. Ch.45. On the second Passover; that is, what happened during the second year of Christ's ministry, which contains the account of the pool at the Sheep Gate and the sick man healed there, John 5:1-15. Ch. 46, Jesus' argument with the Jews about the Sabbath and that outstanding sermon which He delivered at Jerusalem on that occasion, John 5:16-47. Ch. 47, the account of the seventh and last day in the second Feast of the Passover; of the disciples of Christ picking and stripping the ears of corn, from which He takes the true explanation of the doctrine of the Sabbath, Mat.12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28 and Luke 6:1-5. Ch. 48, the account of the second Sabbath on which a dispute arose again about hallowing and violating the Sabbath because of the healing of the withered hand, Mat.12:9-13, Mark 3:1-5 and Luke 6:6-10. Ch. 49, the conspiracy of the Pharisees with the Herodians because of the preceding miracle; of the withdrawal of Christ; what happened during that withdrawal; and what crowds followed Him, Mat.12.14-21, Mark 3.6-12 and Luke 6.2. Ch. 50, the election of the twelve apostles, Mat.5:1, Mark 3:13-19 and Luke 6:12-19. Ch.51, the account or description of that detailed discourse which Christ delivered after the election of the apostles, Mat. 5:1-7:29; Luke 6:20-49.
