Abstract
This essay articulates theological prolegomena for a distinctively Lutheran enterprise in dogmatics, setting forth various methodological principles and considerations pertinent to an orderly and comprehensive account of Christian doctrine. After some initial comments, the essay summarizes the historical development of the genre of theological prolegomena during several important periods, and shows that the conception of theology as curricular and rational establishes the necessity of theological first words. The next two sections extend the general treatment of prolegomenal themes by addressing the relation of archetypal and ectypal modes of theological knowledge, and order and structure in Christian theology. The discussion then unfolds into a sketch of the sources and some formal principles of an encyclopedic program of Christian doctrine in a Lutheran key. The essay concludes with some words on the person of the theologian, highlighting the intellectual and moral virtues essential for theological thinking, writing, and practicing.
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