This is just an outstanding scholarly work which incorporates the history of the twenty-five year exegetical debate between Melanchthon and Agricola over poententia.

While Agricola sees this as nothing more than the work of the gospel which led the sinner to love the righteousness of Christ, Melanchthon continued to contend for the movement of law to gospel in contrition/justification won the day then, and properly so, as Wengert substantiates.

Luther's role is significant, as he was so prone to do, he had in mind the common man's view, so although he could sense that poententia brought about not only fear and terror of God but also love of righteousness, he would not settle to make anyone (let alone the laity) have to make this discretion.

In the escalating debate between the two catechisms and commentaries were the vehicles which carried the controversy on. Finally, due to historical circumstances which Wengert documents and presents articulately, Luther introduced his own, which clarified the argument in Philip's favor with his infamous, "we should fear, love and trust" as well as focus on the Decalog and its significant place in the Word's proclamation.

Wengert is to be highly commended on this excellent down work. It exhibits the highest in scholarship and research, presented in organized way to follow the debate's development with all its subtle sidebars and backgrounds.

Students of the Reformation will be well served by the study of this work. There is a great deal of Latin and German which remains untranslated. However, main points of his developing argument are not greatly affected. It is questionable how the layperson who holds no knowledge of the Confessions nor their background material would have much interest or skill in following this fascinating historical chapter.