Prolegomena: A Defense of the Scholastic Method

by Jordan Cooper

Since the Luther Renaissance in the early twentieth-century, many scholars of the Reformation period have argued for a strong discontinuity between the early Protestant reformers and the following age of Protestant Scholasticism. Such a claim is exemplified by Radical Lutheranism, which purports that Luther’s theology is incommensurate with that of the scholastic movements of the seventeenth century. In this work, Jordan Cooper defends the scholastic approach as a genuine outgrowth of Reformation theology and offers a critique of the theological system of Radical Lutheranism. He does this through a thorough exposition of the method used by Martin Chemnitz, Johann Gerhard, and other post-Reformation thinkers. He demonstrates that the foundational metaphysical assumptions of the Lutheran scholastics are both consistent with the Reformation and necessary for the church today. This book is the beginning of a series titled A Contemporary Protestant Scholastic Theology.

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2020

Reviews

[Jared Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clear but strong defense of classical theism. I think Jordan Cooper presents a solid case for returning to the scholastic method in theology and philosophy, as opposed to theology (such as Radical Lutheranism) that conforms to more modern, popular ideals.

[Darren Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty good in addressing how confessional Lutheranism benefits from Scholastic Lutheranism through critical appropriation of Neo-platonism, Aristotelianism, and Aquinas, which are used to in relation to classical theism, natural theology, participation theology, and how their concepts are used to explain ordo saltis, justification, and sin.

Jordan Copper compares scholastic-Lutheranism approach with the radical-Lutheranism theologians who reject the scholastic approach which resulted them in having very different views on various theological issues. Cooper also gave a concise summary on various philosophers such as Albert Ritsch, Scheleimatcher, Immanuel Kant and etc, on how their philosophical worldview, assumptions and methodology affected Christian theology. I can see how most of these issues are still quite relevant within the Reformed scholarship, where scholars can be quite anti-natural theology, anti-philosophy, anti-metaphysics, pitting pietism against doctrines, pitting biblical theology against doctrines and so on.

Overall this book is pretty good, but it can be very dense in historical theology covering so many figures and concepts. Plus this book in my opinion is not very well organized and there is a lack of subject index, so it can be quite difficult to search for info on the same related topic. And Cooper tends to bit repetitive. Personally, I think this book could actually be organized much better.

Nevertheless, despite the above issues, I still think this book will be beneficial especially to those who want to learn more about theology and philosophy. If you are from the mainline denominations, such as Anglicanism, Presbyterianism, Methodism, and Lutheranism, and if you also agree with the doctrinal statements of these mainline denominations, you will likely agree with almost everything Jordan said here.

By the way this book reads more like a historical theology more than a systematic theology book. And that's fine with me.

[Milkias Yeheyis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Cooper offers a compelling and timely defense of the scholastic method that characterized the Lutheran Orthodoxy period, setting it in sharp contrast to the theological approach of radical Lutheranism as advanced by thinkers like Gerhard Forde and Steven Paulson.

One of the most enlightening aspects of the book is its clear demonstration of how deeply philosophy shapes not only our thinking but our theology. Cooper shows how many modern theologians unwittingly carry assumptions from various philosophical traditions—particularly existentialism—which profoundly affect their theological conclusions. The book makes a particularly strong case for how existential philosophy has influenced radical Lutheran thought.

What I also appreciated was how thoroughly Cooper engages with the ideas of the thinkers he critiques. Rather than caricature or dismiss them, he takes their views seriously, which immerses the reader in the theological landscape and points the way for further study. Anyone interested in exploring these debates more deeply will come away with a rich list of thinkers to engage.

Overall, the book achieves its purpose brilliantly. It persuasively argues that the scholastic method is not merely a relic of the past but a theologically rich and intellectually rigorous approach that the church would do well to recover. Cooper shows how this method can equip the church to face present-day challenges while remaining faithful to the doctrines revealed in Holy Scripture.

[Tyler Kroenke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of my favorite books don’t just provide compelling arguments for the author’s conclusions, but also provide clarity for experiences I’ve had in my life. These books help me reflect on past experiences and say, “Oh so that’s what was going on…” Prologomena fits both descriptions.

Prologomema is partly about how to do theology, and partly an intellectual history of Christianity, especially focusing on the Reformation, post-reformation, and contemporary eras. It is a rigorous defense of the scholastic method, and also well-written and organized.

If there’s one thing I wish was different, it would be the amount of time the author devotes to scriptural arguments for his position. It’s there, especially when discussing how essentialism fits best with the Bible’s account of creation and the incarnation, just not as much ink as I’d like. A small complaint in an otherwise excellent book.

[Christa Petzold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be incredibly helpful in deepening my understanding of the roots of Radical Lutheranism and the Lutheran scholastic tradition. If you have heard of Radical Lutheranism but don't know what that means, or if you want to know what the deal is with Gerhard Forde, or if you are curious about the way shifting philosophical assumptions have shaped theology in the modern era, this book will be helpful for you.

(Radical Lutheranism = bad, in case that wasn't clear above.)

[Kolter Sands · Rating 5 out of 5]

The content of the text is worthwhile. It is an excellent thesis defending Scholasticism and Essentialism.

Though, there are a couple of typos later on. It only appears with names. A second edition would iron out those issues. Besides that, the book is an excellent read.