Acknowledgements
Introduction
William den Boer & Riemer A. Faber
Preface
Synopsis of a Purer Theology 1625
Disputations
- Concerning the Most Sacred Theology
- On the Necessity and Authority of Scripture
- Concerning the Canonical and Apocryphal Books
- On the Perfection of Scripture, and the Futility of Adding
- About the Perspicuity and the Interpretation of Holy Scripture
- About the Nature of God and his Divine Attributes
- On the Holy Trinity
- Concerning the Person of the Father and of the Son
- On the Person of the Holy Spirit
- Concerning the Creation of the World
- On the Providence of God
- Concerning the Good and Bad Angels
- About Man Created in the Image of God
- On the Fall of Adam
- On Original Sin
- On Actual Sin
- On Free Choice
- Concerning the Law of God
- On Idolatry
- Concerning the Oath
- On the Sabbath and the Lord’s Day
- On the Gospel
- On the Old and the New Testament
- On Divine Predestination
- On the Incarnation of the Son of God and the Personal Union of the Two Natures in Christ
- On the Office of Christ
- On Christ in his State of Humiliation
- On Jesus Christ in his State of Exaltation
- On the Satisfaction by Jesus Christ
- On the Calling of People to Salvation
- On Faith and the Perseverance of the Saints
Volume II
Acknowledgements
Disputations
- On Repentance
- On the Justification of Man in the Sight of God
- On Good Works
- On Christian Freedom
- On the Religious Practice of Invocation
- On Almsgiving and Fasting
- On Vows
- On Purgatory and Indulgences
- On the Church
- On Christ as Head of the Church, and on the Antichrist
- On the Calling of Those Who Minister to the Church,
- On the Sacraments in General
- On the Sacrament of Baptism
- On the Lord’s Supper
- On the Sacrifice of the Mass and Its Abuses
- On the Five False Sacraments of the Papists
- On Church Discipline
- On Ecclesiastical Councils or Meetings
- On the Civil Magistrate
- On the Resurrection of the Body and the Last Judgment
- On Life and Death Everlasting and on the End of the World
End Matter
Bibliography
Index
Endorsements
“In the Christian faith, we cannot do without each other, but we need the insights of each. In The Leiden Synopsis, Reformed theology from the best theologians of the time comes together, resulting in a finely crafted rendition of the Christian faith. For the study of Christian faith and Reformed theology, this handbook is indispensable today.” – PROFESSOR DR. WILLEM VAN VLASTUIN Professor of the Theology and the Spirituality of Reformed Protestantism, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Dean of the Hersteld Hervormd Seminary, and Director of the Jonathan Edwards Centre Benelux
“Through the publication of the Synopsis in English, the essence of Reformed theology is no longer exclusively available to traditional, Western historiography and church history. Its original Latin format limited its impact to professional theologians and specialised philologists focusing on theology, while its religious core remained inaccessible not only to the general public but also to geographical venues beyond the West. Now, however, this treasure of theological insights is no longer the appanage of expert scholars; from lay people to academics with vested interests in religion, the Synopsis will become accessible to every person who wishes to know more about Reformed theology regardless of whether one lives in the West, the East or the Global South. This is an achievement with unprecedented possibilities for Reformed theology and its rich ecclesiastical tradition.” – PROFESSOR CORNELIU C. SIMUČš Aurel Vlaicu University (Romania)
“The Leiden theology faculty was the ‘Sorbonne’ of Reformed orthodoxy. And the Leiden Synopsis represented the consensus after the Synod of Dort. Weaving into its exegetical arguments support from patristic and medieval sources, the authors display the catholic and evangelical spirit of Reformed theology. Avoiding internecine disputes, the Synopsis focuses on the doctrines that all Reformed Christians confess. Given its spirit, scope and learned arguments, it deserves to inform the tradition today as it did so persuasively in the past.” – MICHAEL HORTON J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California
“The Leiden Synopsis is a codification of Reformed orthodoxy, concise and precise in its presentation of early modern Reformed theology. The translators, editors, and publisher are commended for making this monumental work available in English. Indispensable for any serious scholar and student in Post-reformation Reformed theology.” – ADRIAAN C. NEELE Vice President, Professor of Historical Theology and Homiletics, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
“Doctrinal controversy brings strife but it also brings clarity and precision to doctrinal formulation, which is a blessing. This benefit of debate is no less true of the Leiden Synopsis, written in the wake of the Arminian controversy. This collection of theological disputations is grounded in Scripture, razor sharp in its distinctions, and conversant with the history of doctrine. No serious student of theology can afford to ignore this theological work.” – J. V. FESKO Harriet Barbour Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi
About the Editors
William den Boer, PhD (2008) Theological University Apeldoorn, is postdoctoral researcher at the Theological University Kampen / Utrecht. He is author of God’s Twofold Love: The Theology of Jacob Arminius (1559–1609) (2010), general editor of Synopsis Purioris Theologiae / Synopsis of a Purer Theology: Latin Text and English Translation (2014–2020), and author or editor of several books and articles on church history and (historical) theology. Dr. den Boer is chairman of the Dutch branch of The Gospel Coalition and pastors a church in the city of Almere.
Riemer A. Faber, PhD (1992) University of Toronto, is Professor of Classics at the University of Waterloo. His research interests range from the reception of Greek poetry in Augustan Rome to neo-Latin literature. Recent projects include an English edition of Erasmi Annotationes ad Galatas, ad Ephesios (2017), an edited volume of essays, Celebrity, Fame and Infamy in the Hellenistic World (2020), and a forthcoming co-edited volume, Comparing Roman Hellenisms in Italy. He is general editor and translator of Synopsis Purioris Theologiae / Synopsis of a Purer Theology (2014–2020). Dr. Faber serves as chair of the editorial board of the Collected Works of Erasmus.