Introduction.

...of the holy books. This habit dates back to the first century of the Church, as Saint Justin Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 AD), an early Christian author who provided some of the earliest descriptions of Christian worship. reports to us. This practice was continued by those whom we revere as the greatest lights of the Church: by a Basil Basil of Caesarea (330–379 AD), a foundational figure in Christian monasticism., a Gregory of Nazianzus A 4th-century Archbishop and one of the "Cappadocian Fathers" known for his poetic theology., a Chrysostom John Chrysostom (c. 347–407 AD); his name means "golden-mouthed," reflecting his fame as a preacher., an Ambrose The Bishop of Milan (c. 339–397 AD) who was instrumental in the conversion of Augustine., and an Augustine Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD), whose writings shaped much of Western Christian thought.. This custom fell into decay during those upheavals caused by the invasion of barbarian nations A reference to the Migration Period and the fall of the Western Roman Empire, which led to a decline in literacy and formal theological study in many regions. into the Roman Empire, and the very nature of those changes prevented its reintroduction.

Oh, that this practice, this zeal, this taste for the study of the Holy Scripture might be renewed and revived among us in these unfortunate times! Might one recognize therein the omnipotence of God in the works of creation, his wisdom in the laws he gives to his people, his majesty in the sublime language spoken by the prophets inspired by him, and his greatness in the wonders he performed for the instruction of both the Hebrews and the centuries to come!

But once again: from the Holy Scripture alone can one draw this high knowledge; from it one must study religion. Therein God reveals himself in all his glory; therein the Holy Spirit himself becomes our teacher; therein the uncreated Wisdom and the eternal Word original: das ewige Wort — In Christian theology, this refers to the "Logos" or the second person of the Trinity (Jesus Christ) as the source of all divine revelation. deign to instruct us. Oh, that the shepherds of the people and the teachers of religion would apply themselves with new tirelessness to the study of the holy books! How burning would their zeal become, and how entirely appropriate to their calling would their dispositi—