Synopsis Purioris Theologiae / Synopsis of a Purer Theology

by Johannes Polyander, André Rivet, Antonius Walaeus

The "Synopsis Purioris Theologiae" (1625) gives an exhaustive yet concise presentation of Reformed theology as it was conceived in the first decades of the seventeenth century. The disputations of this first volume cover topics such as Scripture, doctrine of God, Trinity, creation, sin, Law and Gospel.

Genres: Theology

675 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1625

Reviews

[Maxime N. Georgel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tellement de chapitres excellents. L'édition aussi est excellente, les notes de bas de page m'ont été très utiles.

[Charles Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished v. 1 (disp. 1-23). Everyone should read this for an understanding of where reformed orthodoxy was at in the immediate aftermath of the Synod of Dort. It gives an excellent treatment of some matters and can be very concise. It does sometimes differ from later post-westminster orthodoxy on some matters though, like when it states that the sabbath was abrogated and that the Lord's Day is a separate institution, and that its observance is on Sunday is simply a matter of custom, an approach that resembles Calvin (c.f. the 1536 Institutes) and is in opposition to the doctrine of the Puritans and later Continental theologians. The treatment of the Old and New Testaments is also uncharacteristic of later orthodoxy, and resembles Polanus. For a one-volume reference work on Reformed Orthodoxy I think Hornbeek is a better choice, or perhaps Ames and Maccovius, which are Voetius's preferred texts. But this volume is still worth having on one's shelf.

[Caleb Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, after seven months, I've finally worked my way through the Latin of vol. 1 (disputations 1-23)! I'm very grateful for the careful instruction that this work provides--both theologically and linguistically--and am looking forward to working my way through vol. 2.

[David Goetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid resource, but only really worth consulting in or borrowing from the library. I borrowed it to see if it's worth the $300 I'd have to fork over for the first two volumes, and it's not. Unless you're learning Latin and really need a good scholastic resource to practice on, or you're an ardent student of Reformed scholasticism with some disposable income, just borrow it from the library, or just read the Canons of Dort and William Ames and Johannes Wollebius.

[Alex]

Only read Disputations 2-4, Authority, Canonicity, and Perfection of Scripture.