Belofte en bevel

The Canons of Dordt (1619), a confessional text of Reformed orthodoxy, states that the promise of the gospel must be proclaimed indiscriminately with the command to repent and believe.This dissertation examines the background of this position and shows how the discussion of this issue continued after the Synod of Dordrecht (1618-1619). It focuses on the academic work of four theologians: Heinrich Alting (Groningen), Johannes Maccovius (Franeker), Johannes Cloppenburgh (Harderwijk, Franeker) and Samuel Rutherford (St. Andrews). These four theologians all assume a duty to believe, but interpret this duty differently. This affects the way they speak of the universality of the promise. Despite notable differences in self-reflection, they all place it within a definite framework with an objective ground in God's promise. This study of promise and command reveals both continuity and discontinuity between the Reformation and Reformed orthodoxy. In addition, the relationship between promise and predestination, on the one hand, and assurance of salvation and self-reflection, on the other, continues to come to the fore.

Dissertation: https://hdl.handle.net/11370/25b7113a-f0f0-4663-b8d1-e790ebd84853