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The Federal Theology of Johannes Cocceius (1603-1669)
Series: - Studies in the History of Christian Traditions, Volume: 100
Author:
This volume deals with the Federal theology of Johannes Cocceius, who lived in the seventeenth century (1603-1669). German by birth, he taught at Bremen, Franeker and Leiden, where he was Professor of Theology (1650-1669). As foremost biblical interpreter he sought to formulate a Covenant theory which described all of human history by introducing the structure of consecutive covenants or
foedera. The book poses a surprising alternative to the readings of earlier scholarship on Cocceius by its careful presentation of the pneumatological components of the doctrine of covenants. Cocceius' Federal theology was of considerable importance in the theological and political history of Europe and the United States and formes the framework for much of the Reformed theology in the past three centuries.
Willem Jan van Asselt, Ph.D. (1988) in Theology, University of Utrecht is Associate Professor in the history of Reformed Theology at Utrecht University, The Netherlands. He published several articles and books on Cocceian theology and Protestant Scholasticism including
Reformation and Scholasticism (Baker Bookhouse, 2000).
'
...a significant contribution to the study of federal theology...’
Iain S. Maclean, Religious Studies Review, 2002.
' Van Asselt has given us a masterful study of the significant German theologian who was a leading architect of the federal theology associated with the Reformed tradition...A.'s study is the fullest expression of Cocceius's thought available in English. He takes account of the state of Cocceius research by European and American writers, adding as his own contribution the fuller recognition and integration of the pneumatological aspects of Cocceius's thought...A's outstanding work provides an excellent source for understanding Cocceius as an important theologian and his contributions to federal theology as a significant theological movement..'
Donald K. McKim, Theological Studies.
' ...a firm foundation for an overall understanding of Cocceius’ theology. This study is likely to establish itself as a standard work on Cocceius as well as on federal theology.’
Sebastian Rehnman, Journal of Ecclesiastical History, 2002.
' ...this is a very rich and significant volume that provides both a solid foundation for understanding the thought of cocceius in its seventeenth-century context and an excellent basis for moving forward in the study of this much misunderstood era in the history of Protestant thought.’
Richard A. Muller, Nederlands Theologisch Tijdschrift, 2003.
Iain S. Maclean, Religious Studies Review, 2002.
' Van Asselt has given us a masterful study of the significant German theologian who was a leading architect of the federal theology associated with the Reformed tradition...A.'s study is the fullest expression of Cocceius's thought available in English. He takes account of the state of Cocceius research by European and American writers, adding as his own contribution the fuller recognition and integration of the pneumatological aspects of Cocceius's thought...A's outstanding work provides an excellent source for understanding Cocceius as an important theologian and his contributions to federal theology as a significant theological movement..'
Donald K. McKim, Theological Studies.
' ...a firm foundation for an overall understanding of Cocceius’ theology. This study is likely to establish itself as a standard work on Cocceius as well as on federal theology.’
Sebastian Rehnman, Journal of Ecclesiastical History, 2002.
' ...this is a very rich and significant volume that provides both a solid foundation for understanding the thought of cocceius in its seventeenth-century context and an excellent basis for moving forward in the study of this much misunderstood era in the history of Protestant thought.’
Richard A. Muller, Nederlands Theologisch Tijdschrift, 2003.
Acknowledgements
Introduction
A Brief Sketch of the Life of Cocceius in the Context of His Times
PART I. THE SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE
1. A Survey of the Summa Doctrinae and the Summa Theologiae
2. The Sources of Knowledge
3. Philosophy and Theology
4. The Holy Scriptures
PART II. THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
5. The Structure of the Doctrine of God
6. The Arguments for the Existence of God
7. The Attributes of God
8. The Doctrine of the Trinity
PART III. GOD IN RELATION TO HISTORY
9. The Doctrine of the Decrees
10. The Doctrine of the Eternal Pact
11. The Doctrine of the Covenants
12. The Abrogations of the Covenant of Works
PART IV. RECONSTRUCTION AND EVALUATION
13. Reconstruction
14. Evaluation
Appendices
Appendix I. The Origins of Federal Theology
Appendix II. The Auction Catalogue of Cocceius’ Library
Appendix III. Impact of Cocceius’ Federal Theology
Bibliography
Abbreviations
Indices
Index of Names
Index of Terms
Index of Places
Introduction
A Brief Sketch of the Life of Cocceius in the Context of His Times
PART I. THE SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE
1. A Survey of the Summa Doctrinae and the Summa Theologiae
2. The Sources of Knowledge
3. Philosophy and Theology
4. The Holy Scriptures
PART II. THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
5. The Structure of the Doctrine of God
6. The Arguments for the Existence of God
7. The Attributes of God
8. The Doctrine of the Trinity
PART III. GOD IN RELATION TO HISTORY
9. The Doctrine of the Decrees
10. The Doctrine of the Eternal Pact
11. The Doctrine of the Covenants
12. The Abrogations of the Covenant of Works
PART IV. RECONSTRUCTION AND EVALUATION
13. Reconstruction
14. Evaluation
Appendices
Appendix I. The Origins of Federal Theology
Appendix II. The Auction Catalogue of Cocceius’ Library
Appendix III. Impact of Cocceius’ Federal Theology
Bibliography
Abbreviations
Indices
Index of Names
Index of Terms
Index of Places
All those interested in the history of Christian thought, the history of the church and the history of Reformed Theology, specialists and students of theology and philosophy and the educated Layman.