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By in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree Of REFLECTION’S ON THE NATURE AND FRTHOT) OF THEOLOGY AT THE TFJIFER3ITY OF LEYDEN BEFORE THE SYNOD OF DORT by DONALD SINNEMA In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Philosophy Institute for Christian Studies 229 College St. Toronto 1975 Conyright c 1975 'Donald Sinne na TABLE OP CONTENTS page List of Abbreviations Introduction 1 Chapter I: PHILOSOPHICAL TENDENCIES IN EARLY PROTESTANTISM k A. Melanchthonian Aristotelian!sm k B . Ramism 6 C. Neo-Aristotalian Logic 10 D. The Revival of Metaphysics 14 Chapter II: EARLY REFORMED REFLECTIONS ON THEOLOGY 17 A. Reflections on the Nature of Theology 1? B. Theology‘as Practical or Theoretical 23 C. Reflections on Theological Method 2$ Chapter III: THE UNIVERSITY OF LEYDEN CONTEXT 31 A. The Rise of Dutch Calvinism 31 B, The Founding of the University 33 G. Philosophical Developments at Leyden j6 D. The Structure of the Theological Faculty kl E. The Theological Faculty: The Years of Struggle for Stability (1575-158?) k? Chapter IV: THE THEOLOGICAL FACULTY; THE YEARS OF MATURITY AND CONTROVERSY (1587-1610) 50 A. Lucas Trelcatius Sr. 51 B. Franciscus Junius 5^ C. Franciscus Gomarus 58 D. Lucas Trelcatius Jr. 62 E. Jacobus Arminlus 64 Chapter f: REFLECTIONS 0» THEOLOGY DURING THE YEARS OF MATURITY 6? A. Junius on Theology 6? 1. Lucas Trelcatius Sr. on Theology 79 G, Gomarus on Theology 85 D. Lucas Trelcatius Jr. on Theology 93 E. Arminius on Theology 103 1. The Line of Argument in the Orations 104 2. The Relationship of Theology to Other Sciences 123 3. The Practical Character of Theology 128 4. Arminius' Theological Method 130 5. The Application of his Method 133 Chapter VI: POSTSCRIPT; ONGOING PROBLEMS WITHIN THE LEIDEN- REFLECTIONS I4l ■ 1. The Concept of Theology 141 2. Theological Method 147 3. Theology as Archetypal and Ectypal 148 4. Natural Theology and Supernatural Theology ' 150 5. Theology as Practical or Theoretical 151 APPENDICES Bibliography List of Abbreviations BWN - Biographisch Woordenboek der Mederlanden» ed.» A. J. Tan der Aa, GN - Godgeleerd Mederland. Biographisch Woordenboek Tan Nederlandsehe Godgeleerden, ed., B. Glaslus. HT - F. Junius, Heidelberg Theses: On the Definition of Theology. NNBW- Nieuw Nederlandsch Biografisch Woordenboek» ed., P. C. Molhuysen, et, al. OT - P. Gomarus, Theological Disputations; On Theology, TT - P» Junius, Theological Theses; Theses concerning True Theology, TV - P. Junius, On True Theology, WJA - J. Arminius, The Works of James Arminius, Auburn and Buffalo ed. Introduction The question of the nature of theology is a prolegomena! issue basic to the entire theological enterprise, low the theolo­ gian views his task partly determines the way he carries out that task. The formal character of theology is integrally bound to the content of theology. As a foundational issue, the question of the nature and structure of theology is more a philosophical issue, belonging to the philosophy of theology, than an issue of theology itself. Thus developments in philosophy have historically had great influence on theological self-reflection. To fully come to grips with the present day Protestant under­ standing of theology, it is necessary to take into account the conception of theology that was prevalent when Protestant theology was in its bloom. That conception is still operative in con­ temporary conservative theology and also lies behind liberal or neo-orthodox conceptions. This study is an attempt to enrich our understanding of the Calvinist Reformed reflections on theology from a period which forms a crucial transition stage leading to the lengthy reflections of seventeenth century Orthodoxy, This transition period ended when the Synod of Dort (l6l8-l6l9) solidified the Reformed tradition, just as the Formula of Concord (157?) had solified Lutheranism. At Dort the crisis particularly over the issue of predestination was resolved, and formulas-, for Reformed unity became firmly established. This Synod marks the beginning of the period of Orthodox Calvinism. 2 The predestination controversy, developing from the 1590’s, was centered in the theological faculty of the newly founded (1575) University of Leyden. The main contestants were Jacobus Arminius and Pransiscus Gomarus. During the early years of the growing controversy, some important reflections on the nature and method of theology also appeared, especially stimulated by the contribution of Pranciscus Junius. The years from about 158? to l6l0 form a relatively unified period of productive theologizing. Before the 15905s the university was too young to have a stable theological faculty, and after l6l0 until the Synod of Dort the university was so caught up in the immediacies of the controversy that little constructive theologizing was possible. Between those years, five figures dominated the theological faculty: Junius, Gomarus, Lucas Trelcatius Sr., his son Lucas Trelcatius Jr. and .Arminius. Each of these men offers us some reflections on theology. A study of their views provides us with a good representation of the diverse tendencies in Re­ formed theology at that time. Among them, are represented the' two poles of the predestination conflict as well as a 'moderate position. Although this study can only provide some hints, consideration of the various views of the nature of theology can serve to deepen our understanding of the dynamics involved in the predestination controversy. The first four chapters of our study attempt to picture the broad context out of which the Leyden reflections over theology arose. Since little material concerning the various features of this context is available in the English language, we elaborate at some length on these aspects of our study. The fourth chapter 3 Mographically introduces the five Leyden theologians, and particular note is made of philosophical or other influences on them that may have affected their views on theology. Chapter five, which forms the core of this study, investigates the reflections of these theologians that focus on the nature of theology itself and theological (especially dogmatic) method, leaving aside their thinking on such other prolegomenal matters as the doctrine of Scripture. Integral to this investigation are the translations from the Latin of many of the relevant reflections on theology. These are placed in the■Appendices. Irr this study, particular attention is paid to Arminius, because of the significant role he has played in the history of Reformed theology, and because in order to follow the course of his rather extensive reflections, not included in the Appendices on account of their availability in English, we have had to elaborate in more detail. The concluding chapter attempts to reveal from a systematic point of view some of the dynamics at work in five problem areas that arise out of the Leyden re­ flections . 1. PHILOSOPHICAL TENDENCIES » EARLY PROTESTANTISM Reflections on the nature of theology at the turn of the seventeenth century presuppose views of science present in the contemporary philosophical developments at the protestant univer­ sities. Considerations of theological method in those years also reflect trends In the area of logic, which in the late sixteenth century was the discipline which commonly Included the treatment of method. Me must therefore survey those trends in philosophy which bear on our understanding of early protestant theologizing.^ A» Melanchthonlan Arlstotellanlsm The early Reformers shared with fifteenth and sixteenth century humanism the rejection of the medieval Aristotle toy an appeal to the original sources. The humanistic movement began in Italy, but was carried by Rudolf Agricola (1443-1485) up the Rhine, and it was his work, Be Inventlone dlalectlca. which broke the monopoly of Peter of Spain’s widely used scholastic textbook on logic. Erasmus brought humanist learning to bear on the study of Scripture. Luther rejected the scholastic commentaries on theology with an appeal to go back to the Scriptures. At first he strongly rejected Aristotle, but with the influence of his colleague Philip Melanchthon his attitude softened and he came to recommend Aristotle's logic and rhetoric for the non-theological disciplines. Among the most important contributions to this field are P. Peter­ sen, Geschichte der Aristotelischen Philosophie im protestantischen Deutschland (Leipzig, 1921), E. Weber, Die philosophischen Schol­ astik des Prote stantismus im Zeitalter der Orthodoxie (Leipzig, 1907), M. Wun^t, Die deutsche Schulmetaphysik des 1?. Jahrhunderts (Tubingen, 1939). In English, see L. W. Beck, Early German Phil­ osophy (Cambridge, 1969)» chp. VI-VII, and J. Pelikan, From Luther to Kierkegaard (St. Louis, 1950). Melanchthon first- came to Mittenberg as a human!st, and al­ though at first influenced "by Luther’s aversion to philosophy, he soon turned again to Aristotle and brought about a synthesis of Protestant theology and Aristotelian philosophy. This came about largely through his attempts to meet the demands of the Protestant educational system which needed textbooks to fill the vacuum left after early Reformation attacks on the medieval liberal arts. Among the classical philosophies available, Melanchthon chose an Aristotelian!sm supplemented at points by the truths of revelation He wrote textbooks and compendia for most areas of the ciirriculum These received standard use in Protestant universities throughout the sixteenth century. Under his influence, some older universi- tics became proteit.jnt , an,4. new pr ■ r.t ties were established (Harburg,
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