Second, they completed their process by going back to the pre-Reformation scholastics in order to gather additional material which they assumed the Reformation also accepted. Even though the Lutheran scholastic theologians added their own criticism to the pre-Reformation scholastics, they still had an important influence. Mainly, this practice served to separate their theology from direct interaction with Scripture.
To finalize their theological work, they turned back to the teachings of the pre-Reformation era and sought additional material that they believed the Reformation also accepted. While Lutheran theologians added their own critiques to these earlier ideas, they still heavily influenced their approach. This practice was a key way for them to distance their theology from direct engagement with Scripture.