Erbauliche Monaths-Unterredungen

Erbauliche Monaths-Unterredungen ("Edifying Monthly Discussions") was a magazine based in the Holy Roman Empire, now Germany. Issued from 1663 to 1668, it was published monthly. The publication was initially authored by Johann Rist, a theologian and poet from Hamburg.

The magazine's inception was spurred by the advancement of the printing press in fifteenth-century Germany. This allowed for printed single-page leaflets to evolve into multipage pamphlets, bridging the gap between newspapers and books.

In its initial iteration, the literary magazine, although labeled as a periodical philosophy publication, exclusively showcased the works of Rist, which was predominantly poetry and hymns.

Each issue, dedicated to a specific month, reflected the author's beliefs. Despite being planned as a monthly release, it only came out when Rist had time to write and print it. Additionally, the name on the front page didn't always match the topics of the month, unlike a typical journal.

For the topic of discussion, January focused on ink, February on country life, March on the philosopher's stone, April on painting, May on reading culture, and June on contemplating death. These discussions on various topics were tailored to reflect Rist's views and tastes.

Rist managed to put out six issues until his death occurred on 31 August 1667. Erasmus Finx, a German polymath, assumed control of Rist's magazine. Finx took on the responsibility for the magazine's continuation, overseeing it for the six months from the latter half of 1667 until ceasing publication in 1668.

It inspired the creation of other similar magazines and led to an enthusiasm for education among its primarily intellectual audience. Rist's magazine encouraged many others to start making literary journals around Europe. Notable examples include the French writer Denis de Sallo, who started the Journal des sçavans in 1665, and the Italian writer Francesco Nazzari, creator of Giornale de' Letterati in 1668.

According to author John Morrish, Rist's periodical is the first magazine according to modern standards. The Encyclopaedia Britannica also agrees it is one of the earliest publications to resemble a modern magazine.