Rediscovering the Natural Law in Reformed Theological EthicsIs knowledge of right and wrong written on the human heart? Do people know God from the world around them? Does natural knowledge contribute to Christian doctrine? While these questions of natural theology and natural law have historically been part of theological reflection, the radical reliance of twentieth-century Protestant theologians on revelation has eclipsed this historic connection. Stephen Grabill attempts the treacherous task of reintegrating Reformed Protestant theology with natural law by appealing to Reformation-era theologians such as John Calvin, Peter Martyr Vermigli, Johannes Althusius, and Francis Turretin, who carried over and refined the traditional understanding of this key doctrine. Rediscovering the Natural Law in Reformed Theological Ethics calls Christian ethicists, theologians, and laypersons to take another look at this vital element in the history of Christian ethical thought. |
Contents
Karl Barth and the Displacement of Natural | 21 |
Development of the NaturalLaw Tradition | 54 |
John Calvin and the Natural Knowledge | 70 |
Peter Martyr Vermigli and the Natural Knowledge | 98 |
Natural Law in the Thought of Johannes Althusius | 122 |
Francis Turretin and the Natural Knowledge | 151 |
Common terms and phrases
according Althusius Althusius's Aquinas Barth Book Brunner called Calvin Cambridge Catholic century chapter Christ Christian Church command Commentary common concept concerning conscience contemporary Creator criticism Decalogue difference distinction divine doctrine Dogmatics Duke University early edited Eerdmans Publishing Company established Ethics existence fact fall foundation given God's grace Grand Rapids hearts History human idea important Institutes interpretation Introduction Johannes Althusius John John Calvin Journal justice knowledge of God Late Medieval later London means mind moral moral law Muller natural law natural theology natural-law tradition orthodoxy Oxford Peter Martyr Vermigli philosophical Politica political position possible precepts present principles Protestant provides question reason Reformed relation Religion respect revelation Richard Romans scholastic Scholasticism Scotus Scripture sense Studies teaching theologians theory things Thomas Thought tion trans Translated true truth Turretin understanding University Press Vermigli written York Zanchi