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Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics #3
The Divine Essence and Attributes, Volume 3
The theology of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries is often misrepresented in church histories and scholarly treatments. Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics examines how specific doctrines of these centuries developed and their influence in shaping what we recognize today as the Protestant church. In this volume, Richard Muller examines God's existence, attributes, and nature.
608 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2003
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119 people want to read
About the author
Richard A. Muller
20 books43 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Richard A. Muller (PhD, Duke University) is P. J. Zondervan Professor of Historical Theology at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the author of numerous books, including The Unaccommodated Calvin and Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics. He also edits the Texts and Studies in Reformation and Post-Reformation Thought series.
Richard A. Muller (PhD, Duke University) is P. J. Zondervan Professor of Historical Theology at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the author of numerous books, including The Unaccommodated Calvin and Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics. He also edits the Texts and Studies in Reformation and Post-Reformation Thought series.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 12, 2019
A long, extremely detailed, and laborious read. But I found it to be immensely profitable.
Muller spends most of the time discussing Divine Simplicity, Spirituality, Immutability, Invisibility, Infinity, Eternality, as well as the life, intellect, will of God (wisdom, knowledge, freedom), and so on (from both an ad intra and ad extra perspective).
The last section deals with the righteousness, justice, holiness, goodness, truth, faithfulness, purity, omnipotence, majesty, glory, *affections and passions*, love, grace, mercy and favor of God. (His section on affections and passions in God is phenomenal, and so important in our day! This in itself makes the book worth owning.)
This is of course an historical work - and knowing the history (and distinctions) of the discussion is critical to a right understanding of these topics. I especially like how he repeatedly points out when a particular view has Scotist, Aristotelian, Thomistic, or other philosophical background/tendencies.
Settle in for this one. Latin is used profusely without - so have a dictionary handy (Muller's Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms is a must have here). In fact, unless you're deeply invested in these topics, it might be better to use this book as a reference rather than reading straight through. An invaluable resource regardless.
Muller spends most of the time discussing Divine Simplicity, Spirituality, Immutability, Invisibility, Infinity, Eternality, as well as the life, intellect, will of God (wisdom, knowledge, freedom), and so on (from both an ad intra and ad extra perspective).
The last section deals with the righteousness, justice, holiness, goodness, truth, faithfulness, purity, omnipotence, majesty, glory, *affections and passions*, love, grace, mercy and favor of God. (His section on affections and passions in God is phenomenal, and so important in our day! This in itself makes the book worth owning.)
This is of course an historical work - and knowing the history (and distinctions) of the discussion is critical to a right understanding of these topics. I especially like how he repeatedly points out when a particular view has Scotist, Aristotelian, Thomistic, or other philosophical background/tendencies.
Settle in for this one. Latin is used profusely without - so have a dictionary handy (Muller's Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms is a must have here). In fact, unless you're deeply invested in these topics, it might be better to use this book as a reference rather than reading straight through. An invaluable resource regardless.
September 23, 2023
There is so much packed into this volume as Muller presents a digest of Protestant Orthodox theologians’ writing on God’s attributes. Though some of the general framing of continuity/discontinuity can get somewhat redundant, the subtle differences of various approaches to each attribute vindicate Muller’s method of presentation. Edward Leigh again shines out as a particularly helpful author.
January 20, 2024
Really doesn't get much better than this. Read the reformers and post-reformation dogmatists in continuity with the earlier tradition!
Read
January 10, 2023distinguo!
February 22, 2014
I usually don’t take copious notes when I read books. This book, though, is of importance. Further, it is out of print (I will forgo the usual slams against Baker Academic at the moment) and I acquired it temporarily via ILL. So anything I learn from the book has to last permanently. Hence, the notes.
Simplicity in pre-Reformation
The scholastic understanding of “identity” assumes various levels of identity (essential and formal), so the term “identity” does not indicate radical equation in every sense posssible (40 n. 63). I think this point is missed in most discussions on simplicity. It is not the case that advocates of simplicity are arguing if A = B, and B = C, then A = C. Of course, we haven't always done a good job in distancing ourselves from some of the stronger forms of Thomism which do make these kind of arguments.
The goal is “to argue a certain manner of distinction (for the sake of manifesting the three) while at the very same time denying other kinds of distinction (for the sake of confessing the one)” (41).
Simplicity and Predication
Many critique absolute divine simplicity as eliminating the possibility of any real predication (on our part) of the divine essence. But when medievals used this term, all they meant was that God is not composite (54-55). Thus, it would seem that simplicity is simply (no pun intended) a corollary of God's spirituality.
Plurality in God is secundum rationem, not secundum re (55).
Development and Decline of late orthodoxy
Interestingly, the medievals viewed “space” and time,” not as things but as relations (148).
Existence and knowledge of God
The orthodox followed three ways of approach to the problem of the knowledge of God (166):
via causationes (a cause can be known in some manner from its effects)
via emimentiae(we attribute to God all the perfections known to creataures)
via negationis (we remove from God the imperfections known to creatures)
Rules of predication
“Predication is the logical act of attribution by which a subject is united with a predicate” (197).
Disproportionality between finite and infinite.
Conclusion
The book is necessary reading and it is a shame that it isn't available individually. It's not my favorite of the Muller series, but it did correct a lot of my misunderstandings.
Simplicity in pre-Reformation
The scholastic understanding of “identity” assumes various levels of identity (essential and formal), so the term “identity” does not indicate radical equation in every sense posssible (40 n. 63). I think this point is missed in most discussions on simplicity. It is not the case that advocates of simplicity are arguing if A = B, and B = C, then A = C. Of course, we haven't always done a good job in distancing ourselves from some of the stronger forms of Thomism which do make these kind of arguments.
The goal is “to argue a certain manner of distinction (for the sake of manifesting the three) while at the very same time denying other kinds of distinction (for the sake of confessing the one)” (41).
Simplicity and Predication
Many critique absolute divine simplicity as eliminating the possibility of any real predication (on our part) of the divine essence. But when medievals used this term, all they meant was that God is not composite (54-55). Thus, it would seem that simplicity is simply (no pun intended) a corollary of God's spirituality.
Plurality in God is secundum rationem, not secundum re (55).
Development and Decline of late orthodoxy
Interestingly, the medievals viewed “space” and time,” not as things but as relations (148).
Existence and knowledge of God
The orthodox followed three ways of approach to the problem of the knowledge of God (166):
via causationes (a cause can be known in some manner from its effects)
via emimentiae(we attribute to God all the perfections known to creataures)
via negationis (we remove from God the imperfections known to creatures)
Rules of predication
“Predication is the logical act of attribution by which a subject is united with a predicate” (197).
Disproportionality between finite and infinite.
Conclusion
The book is necessary reading and it is a shame that it isn't available individually. It's not my favorite of the Muller series, but it did correct a lot of my misunderstandings.
December 6, 2023
Muller does well here, as he always does, at refuting misconceptions about the Reformed Scholastics as over-interested in metaphysical speculation. Most sections end with a sub-section on the "uses" identified by Reformed theologians of each doctrine. The ultimate aim is always a deeper relational knowledge of God and appreciation for his redemptive work; idle speculation was consistently condemned.
While I was far more familiar with the topics discussed in this volume than in volume 1, I still gained much in the way of greater nuance. That's especially true for the doctrines of God's simplicity and eternity. At the same time, I read this volume much faster than I read either of the previous two, so I imagine there's much more I'd glean if I took the time out to read it again.
While I was far more familiar with the topics discussed in this volume than in volume 1, I still gained much in the way of greater nuance. That's especially true for the doctrines of God's simplicity and eternity. At the same time, I read this volume much faster than I read either of the previous two, so I imagine there's much more I'd glean if I took the time out to read it again.
October 1, 2020
I have been recommended this work by several seminary professors. This is not an easy read and although there are massive amounts of good historical and theological information to be found within I would not suggest this to anyone for a casual read. This is the 3rd of 4 volumes and my intention is to read volume 4 to complete the journey. Again, this work is a grind to get through, but I have learned much through Muller's contribution. For reformed Pastors, historians and theologians I would definitely recommend this work for your library. It is a great reference resource,
December 7, 2017
Difficult, interesting, capable of sustaining long scrutiny.
July 15, 2023
Exceptional.
Want to read
July 22, 2012Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 3: The Divine Essence and Attributes [Hardcover]
March 18, 2014
This is very very long and detailed. I read about half and dipped into the rest. It's comprehensive, full, detailed and just thorough. Worse, it is out of print.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews