The Marrow of Theology

by William Ames, John Dykstra Eusden (Translator)

William Ames' classic summary of seventeenth-century Puritan theology is once again available in its only modern English translation. Ames was one of the most influential theologians of his day, particularly among New England Puritans such as John Cotton and Thomas Hooker. He was, in fact, planning to travel to America at the time of his death. These lectures were first presented to students in Leyden in the 1620s, and their reissue will be of great interest to contemporary students of Puritanism.

The Marrow of Theology is composed of two books. The first summarizes the Puritan understanding of the traditional doctrinal elements of systematic theology. The second covers the more practical matters of the Christian life. Combined with John Dykstra Eusden's excellent introductory study of Puritan theological method, this volume provides an indispensible tool for the study of Puritanism and its influence on later theology.

Genres: Theology, Church History, Biblical Studies

368 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1983

About the author

William Ames (/eɪmz/; Latin: Guilielmus Amesius; 1576 – 14 November 1633) was an English Protestant divine, philosopher, and controversialist. He spent much time in the Netherlands, and is noted for his involvement in the controversy between the Calvinists and the Arminians.

Reviews

[Jacob Aitken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ames, himself an English Puritan living in the Netherlands, gives us a manual that will become the dominant intellectual book in New England for several centuries (I hope at this moment we can bury the nonsense that Reformed theology is just the 5 Points found in John Calvin).

Ames’ manner of presentation reflects his commitment to Ramist logic, and thus Ames’s writing is remarkably clear and easy to read. We don’t agree with Ames in every point, but this is a very useful manual and will repay careful study.

Key themes

Faith is more than assent, but also designates “an act of the will” (1.2.3-5). For Ames, since faith “must consist of a union with God,” it can’t be mere assent (18).

Ames has an outstanding discussion of God and his essence, particularly of “ideas in God.” He has the standard arguments for God’s decrees, and seems to point towards a gentle supralapsarianism, but its definitely muted compared to Perkins.

Much has been made of Ames’ voluntarism, and he certainly does place the will in a more prominent role than earlier divines, and it certainly “cashes out” in his ethics.

Questions and criticisms

Is it true that “living well is more important than living happily” (1.1.8)? Is Ames breaking from the Aristotelian eudaimion tradition at this point?

Ames argues that the kings are not subject to Christ, but to God (1.19.31). Maybe he means by this that Christ is properly king and head of the church. Fair enough, but Revelation 1.4-5 says that he is also rulers of the kings *on earth.*

While as a good Presbyterian I would have liked to see Ames mention rule by elders and presbyteries, his stuff on church govt is still quite good. I disagree with him on what he left out, not on what he actually said.

Conclusion

This text is a fine snapshot of pre-Westminster Puritanism. More importantly, it would become the standard textbook in New England for almost 200 years. It’s been accused of being a “checklist,” but even so, that adds to his value. Accordingly, Ames is very clear on what he means.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The theology of this volume is very solid, though I really do not like the Ramist style of writing. He made a very strong argument against the anti-Sabbatarian interpretation of Romans 14, which, if taken to its logical conclusion, would require us to view the bread and wine in the Lord's Supper as not different from ordinary food.

[Aaron Irlbacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A kind of systematic theology that naturally overflows into devotional life, and loving your neighbor. Read this book my friend.

[David Goetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of systematic theology.

Eusden's 70-page introduction provides a brief biography of Ames, demonstrates his Augustinian and scholastic roots, describes his debt to the 16th-century logician Peter Ramus, gives a nice overview of Ames's teaching on each major doctrinal locus, and closes with a helpful visual flow-chart of the Marrow.

The Marrow itself is basically 240 pages of one- to five-sentence summaries of Ames's positions on most major doctrinal questions, with Scriptural proof-texts incorporated into the text. Here's an example, from Section XVIII of Book I, on "The Person of Christ, the Mediator":

27. There were in Christ two kinds of understanding: a divine understanding whereby he knew all things, John 21:17, and a human, whereby he did not yet know some things, Mark 13:32. So there were two wills, one divine, Luke 5:13, and the other human, with a natural appetite, Matt. 26:39. So Christ has a double presence, but the human presence cannot be everywhere or in many places at once.

The brevity of Ames's statements, and their occasional pith, are a large part of what make this book valuable. You don't have to wade through mountains of material to identify his conclusions; i.e., he doesn't qualify his claims a thousand times, which makes his provocations keener and also somehow more pastoral/homiletical. Add to this that the Marrow held greater sway in New England than any other theological textbook up until 1800, and that it presents a helpful snapshot of pre-Westminster Puritanism, and you have a book worth your time.

[Ben Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is as excellent as it has been influential in the history of Reformed theology.

[Jamesbyronhuggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ams doesn't write over anyone's head. He simply writes in such a way that his logic is almost indisputable. But "getting there" involves a lot of suppositions and sequential logic and even Ams freely admits that some of what he is saying is quite beyond human comprehension, including his own. It's a fascinating read for the very serious minded.

[Joseph Henry Kester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theology handbook written in the 17th century. Ames emphasized the lived-out aspects of faith and Christianity. Very succinct and well-organized. He was a Puritan and Calvinist, but his Calvinism is comforting and pastoral.

[Coram Deo Church]

The Marrow of Theology is not currently available at local libraries.

[Seth Goodale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Jacob Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully concise treatise of Puritan reformed theology. Unlike most books of systematic theology, Ames does not waste words or go on for hundreds of pages. Rather he divides theology into the simple internal and external aspects, namely, faith and practice. Then he gives you the core skeleton of a Biblical theology from these two aspects.

Ames proceeds by clear, concise steps that everyone can recognize and follow with multiple scriptural references. The Marrow of Theology will not give you all the answers, but it provides a powerful push towards your own deeper study of Christian theology and your own faith.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. Ames is relatively easy to read, a trait uncommon to many prominent authors of his day. He rarely makes a point without appeal to several passages of Scripture. You may not always agree with his conclusions, but you are never going to feel that he is freewheeling.

[Gabriel Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent sum to Christian theology! Ames was a disciple of the great William Perkins, therefore much of his doctrine is very similar to that of Perkins. A must read for anyone interested in theology!

[Alex]

Solid and very good.