Amandus Polanus wrote one of the more significant Reformed theologies of the first half of the 17th century. It’s a remarkable work. Andrew Myers has a nice post introducing Polanus.
Historical Theology
The Old Harmony is New Again
Philip Benedict concedes that the Harmony was a more hopeful than a realistic expression of Protestant unity. But he adds that it was “one example of the conviction of many Reformed that the bonds of brotherhood ought to encompass the Lutheran churches . . . Continue reading →
Calvin On Osiander
One of the more bizarre claims made about Andreas Osiander is that, for Calvin ” he was the only consistent Lutheran.” One would hardly reach this conclusion from reading what Calvin actually wrote about Osiander!
Nobody Expects the Italian Reformation (link corrected)
But it happened, briefly and the good news here is that it’s back. Andrea Ferrari is a pastor of the Reformed Congregation in Milan, Italy. He’s also an author who has written (in English!) on one of the more significant Italian Reformed . . . Continue reading →
A Reformed Appropriation and Adaptation of Aristotle in Mid-16th Century
Paul Helm surveys Peter Martyr Vermigli’s commentary on Aristotle.
A Westminster Divine on the Threefold Distinction in the Law
“First, concerning the law of God, you know there are some of them: 1. Ceremonial, which consisted in Rights, and Ordinances, and Shadows, typifying Jesus Christ in his sufferings, unto which there was a full period put by the death of Christ. . . . Continue reading →
Eamon Duffy on the Origins of the Papacy
Eamon Duffy is Professor of the History of Christianity, and Fellow and Director of Studies, Magdalene College, University of Cambridge. He is author of several significant works of church history including The Stripping of the Altars: Traditional Religion in England 1400–1570 (New . . . Continue reading →
John Owen on Constantinianism, Baptismal Regeneration, And Apostasy
From this influx, it is not surprising that the doctrines of faith and, most especially, that of the new birth became so rapidly corrupted in the churches. With separation from the world spurned, there is no wonder that the sanctity and glory . . . Continue reading →
New Bavinck Institute Website
Thanks to Laurence O’Donnell (Calvin Seminary PhD student in systematics) for the heads up regarding the new Bavinck Institute website. They are featuring Ron Gleason’s to-be-released bio of Bavinck himself and an online journal, The Bavinck Review. Well done!
Second and Third Thoughts on Edwards
Few figures are as electrifying and divisive in the study of American religious history as Jonathan Edwards. To many he is and can be only St Jonathan, the paradigm of theology, piety, and practice. To others the story is more complicated. It . . . Continue reading →
Reformation History Resource: Zwingli Online
Zwingli is the forgotten Reformer. Hated by the Lutherans as a “sacramentarian” moralist and not terribly favored by the mature Reformed Reformation, he’s the ugly step son of the Reformation. Here’s a blog (operated by whom?) which collects Zwingli resources. (HT: Jim West)
Anselm on the Necessity of the Incarnation
Thanks to WSC MA (Historical Theology) student Jennifer Petrik for posting this bit from Cur Deus Homo? (Why the God-Man?)
Reuter Edition of Ursinus Online!
There is an amazing electronic text of Ursinus’ Opera online. Thanks to Sebastian Heck for pointing us to this amazing resource.
Was the Covenant of Works Gracious?
It is widely held in the modern period that it was. To deny that strikes many today as absurd, as impossible. The 16th and 17th century Reformed writers were not so troubled by that idea since they had much less difficulty than . . . Continue reading →
The Family of Jesus on the Kingdom of God
From Eusebius’ Historia Ecclesiae 3.19-20: But when this same Domitian had commanded that the descendants of David should be slain, an ancient tradition says that some of the heretics brought accusation against the descendants of Jude (said to have been a brother . . . Continue reading →
Heidegger Now Available Online!
Special thanks to Wes White for pointing us to this most valuable resource: volume 1 of J. H. Heidegger (1633-98), Corpus theologiae christianae is now online. I’m downloading it now.
A Cultural Warrior’s Meditation for Reformation Day
A recent correspondent pointed me to a bulletinsert offered by the PCA Christian Education and Publications Committee. The theme of the insert is the “Reformation, Calvin, and Government.” There are two questions here. The first is historical, the second is pastoral or . . . Continue reading →
Pierre DuMoulin on the Knowledge of God
More great stuff at that other HB: the Heinrich Bullinger blog.
Old School Dutch Reformed On Two Covenants
Shane has it at the Reformed Reader.
Antonius Walaeus De Natura Dei (On the Nature of God)
Because, in our late modern, liquid, age, relational categories trump all others and because we’re given to nominalism now, it’s sometimes considered downright provocative to claim that God has a nature. The older Reformed writers, however, spoke this frequently. On the Heinrich . . . Continue reading →