Preface.

...is not at all harmful, but rather that [the truth] is more fully clarified and strengthened through it.

When it is finally said that through controversies controversies original: controuersien. In this historical context, "controversies" refers to formal academic and theological debates used to define and defend specific doctrines. everything becomes filled with quarreling and strife, and that one moves further and further away from the proper form of true Christianity original: wahren Christenthums. This phrase often signals a Pietist focus on internal, lived faith rather than just outward intellectual agreement with church rules., and that most of it consists of trickery and useless wars of words original: Wort-Kriegen. Often called "logomachy," this refers to arguments that are more about the definitions of words than the actual spiritual reality behind them., and whatever other such reproaches there may be—then everything depends on properly distinguishing the right use from the shameful abuse.

Anyone who has experience in these matters must admit that the latter [the abuse] is sometimes very great. It is for this very reason that others have stumbled and either completely rejected polemical theology polemical theology original: theologiam polemicam. The branch of theology dedicated to Refuting "errors" and defending a specific confession of faith against its rivals., or even fallen into a harmful indifferentism indifferentism original: indifferentismum. The view that religious differences are of no importance, or that all beliefs are equally valid—a stance the author views as a spiritual danger..

And this abuse consists in the fact that people focus almost exclusively on controversies, forgetting to first lay the proper foundation in dogmatic theology dogmatic theology original: theologia dogmatica. The systematic study and teaching of the core doctrines or "dogmas" of the Christian faith., and concerning themselves least of all with the practice of faith in true Christianity. Furthermore, they make no distinction among dissenters original: dissentientibus. Those who hold differing opinions or belong to different religious traditions. as to whether the matter concerns the very foundation of faith or not. They treat everyone with equal harshness—indeed, often treating those who deserve it least most harshly of all. Finally, they allow their passions original: adfecten. As noted previously, these "affects" were seen as intense emotions like anger or pride that could blind a scholar to the truth. here...