Preface.

...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 controversy original: controuersien. Formal theological disputes or arguments over doctrine. everything is filled with bickering and strife, and that one moves further and further away from the proper form of true Christianity original: wahren Christenthums. A central theme in 17th and 18th-century Pietism, emphasizing a living, practical faith over mere intellectual agreement with doctrine., and that most of it consists of chicanery and useless wars of words, and whatever other such reproaches there may be; it all comes down to clearly distinguishing the proper use from the shameful abuse. That the latter is sometimes very great must be confessed by everyone who has experience in these matters; and it is precisely because of this that others have taken offense and have either completely rejected polemical theology polemical theology original: theologiam polemicam. The branch of theology focused on defending specific doctrines while refuting opposing views or perceived errors. or have fallen into a harmful indifferentism indifferentism original: indifferentismum. The belief that differences in religious doctrines or denominations are of no importance..

And this abuse consists in the fact that one has focused almost exclusively on controversies, and in doing so, forgotten to first lay the proper foundation in dogmatic theology dogmatic theology original: theologia dogmatica. The systematic study and presentation of the core, official doctrines of the Christian faith., and has cared least of all for the practice of faith in true Christianity; that one has made no distinction among those who disagree original: dissentientibus. A Latin term for those holding differing opinions or belonging to different religious groups. as to whether the matter concerns the foundation of faith or not; that one treats everyone with equal harshness—indeed, even those who least deserve it, one treats most harshly; that one [gives free rein] to one's emotions original: adfecten. Derived from the Latin affectus, this refers to passions or strong feelings like anger, pride, or zeal that can cloud a theologian's judgment. here...