Synopsis of a Purer Theology: Vol. 1

Synopsis Purioris Theologiae / Synopsis of a Purer Theology

by Johannes Polyander (Editor), André Rivet, Antonius Walaeus

“The Leiden theology faculty was the ‘Sorbonne’ of Reformed orthodoxy. And the Leiden Synopsis represented the consensus after the Synod of Dort. Weaving into its exegetical arguments support from patristic and medieval sources, the authors display the catholic and evangelical spirit of Reformed theology. Avoiding internecine disputes, the Synopsis focuses on the doctrines that all Reformed Christians confess. Given its spirit, scope and learned arguments, it deserves to inform the tradition today as it did so persuasively in the past.” Over the past decade, the project of Protestant resourcement has exploded, giving pastors, scholars, and lay-people access to the great thinkers who shaped their tradition. Despite this great progress, many treasures of Reformed theology remain obscured from the lay-person, confined to academics with a working knowledge of Latin and Biblical languages–or, if translated, affordable only by libraries with large budgets. Synopsis of a Purer Theology , otherwise known as “the Leiden Synopsis,” is one such work. Collecting theological disputations delivered at the University of Leiden in the early 1600s, it is one of the most historically important and theologically comprehensive handbooks of Reformed theology, being a key influence for many Reformed theologians including Herman Bavinck, Abraham Kuyper, Karl Barth, Louis Berkhof, and Richard Muller. And yet, it has remained largely forgotten and left to a handful of Latin-reading scholars. Now for the first time, the Davenant Press has published this significant work in a full English-only translation, in an affordable and concise two-volume set that includes introductory material to orient the reader to the text. The Synopsis offers both a snapshot of the state of confessional theology in the 17th-century Dutch Reformed tradition, and also an enduring example of how the project of systematizing doctrine can serve the church. The Leiden professors modeled thoroughness and clarity of thought in the face of confusion, and a vision of irenic Christian unity over brittle doctrinal uniformity. As Protestants endeavor both to recover their forgotten heritage and to pass it down to the next generation, we need examples of how this has been done before us. The Synopsis of a Purer Theology will serve to bring such illumination and perspective to a generation desperately in need of its boldness, clarity, and wisdom.

This is volume 1 of 2, containing Disputations 1-31. Volume 2 is available separately, containing Disputations 32-52.

407 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2023

Reviews

[Matt Pitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally clear and well reasoned. An exercise in brevity without compromising profundity. Now that it’s available in paperback, this may be the best systematic theology text out there in terms of the trifecta of ease of reading, depth of insight, and overall length.

Note: I didn’t yet read the entire volume but read disputations 1-13 (about 135 pages) for a course on the doctrine of God and creation.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

More like a 4.5/5, but only because of the format of the book. This is a book of disputations, which means that there are multiple authors. Some of those authors are clearer and more concise, while others are more verbose.

On the whole, a great reference text of Reformed Systematic Theology. Looking forward to volume 2.

[Richard Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really stands out for brevity, clarity AND a lack of idiosyncrasies. AND if someone wants a brief reference book for theology beyond lay-level this is currently what I'm going to recommend despite my critiques below.

These disputations are a succinct summary of Reformed Theology written in the heyday of Reformed Orthodoxy by a university faculty (not an individual) for use in the classroom. Their clarity and balanced approach reflects these features.

(I've only finished volume 1, I expect volume 2 to be of a similar kind though may have more to say when I've completed it)

A few thoughts on the type of theolgogy
This is "middle of the road" reformed theology of the early 17th century.

There are several points that will surprise modern readers, their serious doctrine of God is vastly ahead of most modern books which may be a pleasant surprise, a different standout example is their covenant theology which is NOT the same as westminster and doesn't even use the categories that some people will have learned as "the essence of reformed theology"; also their take on the sabbath/lord's day (more moderate than westminster but largely the same application).

There are also several points I dissent from or was disappointed with, though a key one is something I'm increasingly convinced is a feature of (most?) Reformed Theology, a massive emphasis on truths to be believed and proving them to be true (logically or scripturally) and comparatively little time or thought for the mechanisms/structures behind those truths e.g. they speak at length about what the cross accomplished but have almost no consideration of how such an exchange of righteousness works metaphysically. In general the inner logic/reality of Theology is treated as secondary to the conclusions that must be held as articles of faith.

There are a few barriers to entry for a modern reader:
- it was assumed in the 17th century that a student of theology would have already studied logic and philosophy, such knowledge is frequently assumed - you can profit from these volumes without such knowledge but there will be places where the arguments go over your head
- students were expected to produce arguments in class for the truth of these statements; so the full detail of why certain points are held is not given; often relevant bible verses and/or logical/philosophical premises are given alongside a conclusion without (all) the intervening steps, this is deliberate but may disappoint some readers who want a higher degree of hand-holding

[Andrzej Stelmasiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars is not enough. I'm grateful to one my elders who gifted me with this set for my birthday last year!

Rich in exegesis of the Bible, great engagement with church history (from the Fathers through medieval and Reformation), and in their polemics with Rome and Socinians (among others) they sought to 'straw man' anyone - it all adds up to make a very engaging read. And, it's thoroughly Reformed in theological conclusions. It was not boring and dry, but rather doxological and mind-stretching.

I wanted to read a book of this sort in 12 months, and it was easy to do so as there are 52 disputations, so 1 per week.