The essays in this volume give just a glimpse of the role that Dr.¿Kurt Erik Marquart played in the Lutheran Church during his ministry of forty-seven years. Not least among Dr.¿Marquart's contributions were his lectures and articles devoted to the "public square." If I would have any advice to pastors, seminary students, and laymen interested in theology, I would paraphrase the advice given to me and say: "Read Professor Marquart and study every article he offers! You can't do better than that." When you are finished with Marquart's writings, then you will be ready for the grand tradition of orthodox Lutheran systematicians that he transmitted and epitomized. In Foreword by Martin Noland