REFORMED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 2ST844 Puritan Theology Seminar Spring Semester 2014 (March 24-28, 2014) Dr. Derek w. H. Thomas Course Description An evaluation of the rise and significance of the Puritans in the 17 th century, primarily within the English context. A brief historical setting will lead to an examination of some of the central and significant issues in theology that characterised their ministry and writings. The course will give special emphasis on the nature of experiential religion, a singular characteristic of puritan writings. Course Objectives To introduce students to the wealth of puritan literature. To cultivate an interest in further study in the puritans. To highlight some major contributions in the areas of experiential theology that remain deeply significant for the church today. To engage in an in-depth study of some of the key areas of puritan theology, particularly where they impact current theological trends within Reformed theology. Course requirements Required Texts Joel Beeke, Assurance of Faith (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1999) J. I. Packer, A Quest for Godliness (Wheaton: Crossway, 1990) Kapic, Kelly, Justin Taylor (eds.) John Owen, Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2006) Fischer, Edward The marrow of Modern Divinity (Fear, Ross-shire: Christian Focus, 2009) Coffey, John & Lim, Paul C. H. The Cambridge Companion to Puritanism (Cambridge, New York: CUP, 2008) 1 Supplementary Reading List of original sources for research purposes In addition to the collected writings of the major puritans: John Owen , Richard Sibbes , Thomas Manton , Stephen Charnock , and John Flavel the following shorter writings should be considered: William Perkins, The Work of William Perkins, Introduced and edited by Ian Breward (Appleford: The Sutton Courtenay Press, 1970). A compilation of some of Perkins’ most important writings with annotations. Very important. The following paperback editions of smaller writings by some of main puritans are an accessible entry point into Puritan literature: Puritan Portrait Series/ Christian Focus Publications Boston, Thomas, The Art of Man-Fishing (1998) Boston, Thomas, Repentance: Turning from sin to God (2005) Bunyan, John, The Heavenly Footman (2002) Charnock, Stephen, Christ Crucified (1996) Flavel, John, Keeping the Heart: How to Maintain Your Love for God 2012) Henry, Matthew, The Pleasantness of a Religious Life (1998) Scougal, Henry, The Life of God in the Soul of Man (1996) Owen, John, The Mortification of Sin (2006) Packer, J.I. Puritan Portraits (2012) ………………….. Joseph Alleine, Alarm to the Unconverted (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1967) Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1997) Samuel Bolton, The True Bounds of Christian Freedom (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1964) William Bridge, A Lifting Up of the Downcast (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1961) Thomas Brooks, Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1984) ________ Heaven on Earth (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1961) 2 Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1992) John Bunyan, Prayer (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1965) John Flavel, The Mystery of Providence (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1991) William Guthrie, The Christian’s Great Interest (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1969) Brownlow North, The Rich Man and Lazarus (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1961) ________ Wilt Thou God with this Man? (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1966) John Owen, The Glory of Christ (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1994) Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1998) Ralph Venning, The Sinfulness of Sin (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1965) ________ Learning in Christ’s School (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1999) Thomas Watson, The Doctrine of Repentance (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1987) ________ All Things for Good (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1991) ________ The Godly Man’s Picture (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1992) Supplementary Reading List of secondary sources for research purposes Joel Beeke, Puritan Evangelism (Reformation Heritage Books, 1999) ________, A Reader’s Guide to Reformed Literature: an annotated bibliography of Reformed Theology (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 1999). This is the most comprehensive and 3 reliable guide available. It covers all major reprints of puritan works up to 1999 . F. J. Bremer, The Puritan Experiment (New York, 1976) John Brown, The English Puritans (Fearn: Christian Focus Publications, 1998). A concise history of the puritan period in 10 minutes! P. Christianson, Reformers and Babylon (Toronto, 1978) J. T. Cliffe, The Puritan Gentry (London, 1984) P. Collinson, English Puritanism (Historical Association pamphlet, London, 1983) Gerald Robertson Cragg, Puritanism in the period of the Great Persecution, 1660-1688 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1957) ______ From Puritanism to the age of reason: a study of changes in religious thought within the Church of England, 1660 to 1700 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1950) Horton Davies, The Worship of the English Puritans Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria, 1997) Solid and well documented, if a little dull. William Haller, The Rise of Puritanism, or, The Way to the New Jerusalem as set forth in pulpit and press from Thomas Cartwright to John Lilburne and John Milton, 1570-1643 (New York: Columbia University Press, 1965 [1938]). This is still the best introduction to the history of Puritanism in England. Haller is chiefly interested in Milton and literature and studies Puritanism for that sake. The reader will find little concern about theology or godliness. Christopher Hill, The English Revolution, 1640 (London: Lawrence & Wishart, 1985). Marxist interpretation of the mid-seventeenth century! ______ Puritanism and revolution: studies in interpretation of the English revolution of the 17 th century (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1990 [1958]) E. B. Holifield, The Covenant Sealed (New Haven, CT, 1974) 4 Philip E. Hughes, Theology of the English Reformers (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1966). A solid work from an Reformed Anglican perspective. Ernest Kevan, The Grace of Law: A Study in Puritan Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1976). The most important work ever written on this issue. Essential reading. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Puritans: Their Origins and Successors (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1987) Hugh Martin, Puritanism and Richard Baxter (London: SCM Press, 1954) Robert P. Martin, A Guide to the Puritans (Edinburgh Banner of Truth, 1997). A compendium of puritan sources arranged in topical sections. An invaluable resource for anyone wishing to make a life-long study of the puritans . Perry Miller, The New England Mind: from colony to province (Boston: Beacon Press, 1966). Prolegomena to the history of New England. Theology is dismissed. There is a God-shaped blank in this book. E. S. Morgan, Visible Saints (Ithaca, NY, 1975) Daniel Neal, The History of the Puritans (1732-1738) (Minneapolis: Klock & Klock Christian Publishers, 1979 [1837]) R. S. Paul, Assembly of the Lord (Edinburgh, 1984) Harry Grant Plum, Restoration Puritanism: a study of the growth of English liberty (Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 1943) John von Rohr, The Covenant of Grace in Puritan Thought Atlanta, GA: Scholars Pres, 1986). A definitive work, well worth reading and acquiring. Leland Ryken, Worldly Saints: The Puritans as They Really Were (Grand Rapids: Michigan: Zondervan, 1986) K. L. Sprunger, The Learned Dr William Ames (Urbana, IL, 1972) J. B. Torrance, Calvin and Puritanism in England and Scotland: 5 some basic concepts in the development of “federal theology” ( South Africa, mid 1980’s?, nd). This is Torrance’s cause célèbre, which he has consistently argued for the past 30 years, as did (does) his father, T. F. Torrance Peter Toon, Puritans and Calvinism (Seoul, Korea: Westminster Publishig House, 1972). Toon is an Anglican and his chapter on the Westminster Confession (‘high Calvinism’ according to Toon) is irritatingly simplistic and patronising. A good overview, though . D. D. Wallace, Puritans and Predestination (Chapel Hill, NC, 1982) B. R. White, The English Separatist Tradition (Oxford, 1971) G. Yule, Puritans in Conflict (Appleford, 1981) D. Zaret, The Heavenly Contract: Ideology and Organisation in Pre- Revolutionary Puritanism (Chicago, IL, 1985) 6 Evaluation A three-page book report on each of the required texts for this course (20%) Write a 20-page research paper evaluating one particular feature of Puritan theology. The paper should include a knowledge of several puritan sources as well as reference to secondary material. (80%) Instructions for Turning in Coursework Complete coursework is due by MAY 9, 2014 All coursework, including exams, must be compiled into no more than 1 or 2 documents, either WORD or PDF. Please, NO zip files. Files should be emailed to [email protected] (If you have questions relating the course, use [email protected] ). Files sent without clear identification of their author (i.e. YOU) on every page (by way of a header/footer will result in audible gasps in Columbia, SC and may be subject to penalty! 7 #1. THE SUPRALAPSARIAN CONTROVERSY Puritan Theology of Grace and Salvation: From Calvin to Perkins - a road to supralapsarianism? Some definitions: Infralapsarianism: 1. the decree to create the world and (all) men 2. the decree that (all) men would fall 3. the election of some fallen men to salvation in Christ (and the reprobation of the others) 4. the decree to redeem the elect by the cross work of Christ 5. the decree to apply Christ’s redemptive benefits to the elect Note: the discriminating decree comes immediately after the lapsarian decree Supralapsarianism: 1. the election of some men to salvation in Christ (and the reprobation of others) 2. the decree to create the world and both kinds of men 3. the decree that all men would fall 4. the decree to redeem the elect, who are now sinners, by the cross work of Christ 5. the decree to apply Christ’s redemptive benefits to these elect sinners [This view held by Theodore Beza, William Perkins, Franciscus Gomarus, Gisbertus Voetius, William Twisse] OR 1. the election of some men to salvation in Christ (and the reprobation of others) 2.