Marcus Friedrich Wendelin's "Christian Theology"

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Who Was Marcus Friedrich Wendelin? and Why Translate His Christian Theology?

Who Was Marcus Friedrich Wendelin?and Why Translate His Christian Theology?

In 1584, Marcus Friedrich Wendelin was born in Sandhausen, Germany, not far from Heidelberg. His father was a Gospel Minister, and invested in his son’s education. At the age of eleven, he was enrolled in the Heidelberg Pedagogium, but he did not initially take to the rigorous discipline of...

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Excited to begin studying theology with Marcus Friedrich Wendelin!

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Title Page

Marcus Friedrich Wendelin’s Christian Theology Volume 1 Translated by Dr. Steven Dilday Central, South Carolina From Reformation to Reformation Translations 2024

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Jesus' lily, the Church, has ever grown up among the twin thorns of persecution and heresy.

Wendelin gives us a lovely meditation on Song of Solomon 2:2.

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Dedication, Part 1

DEDICATORY EPISTLE TO Those Illustrious and Most Noble Lords, LORD FABIAN, Baron of Czema, etc., Castellan of Chelmno, and Starost of Sztum:[1] AND LORD ACHATIUS, Burggrave and Baron of Dohna, Electoral Counselor of Brandenburg:[2] my most gracious Lords, Grace and peace from GOD. Illustrious...

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Get familiar with the Reformed of Germany! and the challenges they faced from Theosophy and Mysticism!

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Dedication, Part 2

There is a certain sort of Prophets, recent and new, who, under the pretext of extraordinary piety, are come to overthrow the foundations; inflated with an opinion of profound mysteries, they ridicule the simplicity of heavenly doctrine, and, with the letter of the divine word neglected, search...

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In the third and final installment of his Dedication, Wendelin gives some insight into the genesis of his "Christian Theology".

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Dedication, Part 3

To you, Illustrious and Most Noble Lord, Lords Most Gracious, I now turn myself, and briefly show why I would wish your illustrious names to be at the head of this little work. I do not now touch upon the Illustrious splendor of Your Nobilities, which I am not ignorant is able to lend the...

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Wendelin previews for his readers his method and influences in the composition of his Systematic Theology!

Fascinating!

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Preface to the Reader

Grace and Peace to the benevolent Reader. Marvel not, O benevolent Reader, that after so many volumes, syntagmas, systems, compendia, synopses, marrows, and common places, my own efforts also in this class of Theological writing proceed into the light for the Church. In the edifying and...

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Wendelin diagrams for us the entire System of Theology!

Helpful!

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Diagram of the System of Theology

Dr. Dilday's Lecture: "The Vestibule of Systematic Theology"

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Wendelin begins his "Christian Theology" by defining "Theology"...both the term and the academic discipline...

Here, his chapter outline whets our appetite...

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Outline of "The Definition, Object, End, and Efficient of Theology"

Thesis I: The Προλεγόμενα/Prolegomena of Christian Theology are set forth in five heads. Explanation: What προλεγόμενα/prolegomena are. Thesis II: Theology is defined. Explanation: 1. The Etymon of Theology: *The Manifold Definition of the Pagans: 2. An Analysis of the Definition: 3...

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Perhaps you have seen the term "Prolegomena" at the beginning of a Systematic Theology, and wondered what it meant.

Wendelin briefly explains...

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Theological Prolegomena

THESIS I: The Προλεγόμενα/Prolegomena of Christian Theology are set forth in five Arguments, of which are, 1. Its Definition. 2. Object. 3. Final Cause. 4. Efficient. 5. Distribution. EXPLANATION: The Προλεγόμενα/Prolegomena are certain Heads, which in the place of a Preface, as it...

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I'm changing the way I post these, giving whole chapters at a time...

Wendelin here endeavors to define "Theology", both as a term and as an academic discipline.

Interesting and helpful...

https://www.fromreformationtoreformation.com/post/wendelin-s-christian-theology-definition-object-end-and-principal-efficient-of-theology

 

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Wendelin's presentation of the Doctrine of Scripture is an organizational masterpiece! worthy of careful study and attention!

*Bonus material (in the "Comments"): De Moor on the Apocrypha!

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": The Causes and Subject of Sacred Scripture

Thesis I: The instrumental Efficient of Theology, the word of God written, or the Scripture. Explanation: 1. The means, whereby the Knowledge of divine things is furnished. 2. Arguments exciting to the study of Theology. 3. *The twofold Mode of proving Theological doctrines. Thesis II...

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A second chapter on the Doctrine of Scripture coming soon...

 

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Wendelin's diagram of the System of Theology...

...with a brief defense of Systematic Theology as a discipline...

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Diagram of the System of Theology

Dr. Dilday's Lecture: "The Vestibule of Systematic Theology"

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Wendelin defends the authenticity and integrity of the Hebrew and Greek originals, and the legitimacy of translation.

Fascinating!

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": The Adjuncts of Sacred Scripture

Thesis I: The Adjuncts of Scripture are enumerated at seven. Thesis II: The authentic edition. Explanation: 1. It is proven, that only the Hebrew of the Old Testament and the Greek of the New are authentic. 2. It is proven, that the Vulgate version is not authentic. 3. The arguments of...

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Wendelin defends the ultimate authority of Scripture, and then, as a German Reformed theologian, wrestles with the Lutherans over subordinate standards.

Fascinating!

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": The Adjuncts of Sacred Scripture, Part 2

THESIS V: There is Perspicuity, whereby what things are necessary to be known for salvation are so perspicuously and clearly set forth in Scripture, that they are able to be understood even by unlearned believers, reading devoutly and attentively. EXPLANATION: I. Indeed, many things in Sacred...

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Theology is both theoretical (there is a body of informational content that needs to be mastered) and practical (the doctrine needs to be brought into the practical realm of life).

See Wendelin, and De Moor at greater length in the "Comments"...

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": The Distribution of Theology

Thesis: The Distribution of Christian Theology. Explanation: The distribution is proven. THESIS: Hitherto concerning the causes of Christian Theology: its parts follow, which are two: One, the knowledge of GOD: the other, His worship: both of which are directed toward the glory of GOD and...

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For the first time in English...

Wendelin's Theological Prolegomena is available in its entirety! free and online!

#wendelin #bible #theology #prolegomena #reformed #reformedscholasticism

www.fromreformationtoreformation.com/introductory-theology

 

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The proper work of Theology is the contemplation of God Himself...a contemplation unto adoration and worship. Precious.

Wendelin whets our appetite for this most blessed science...

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": God's Nature and Properties Outline

Thesis I: The knowledge of God is defined. Thesis II: God is described. Explanation: 1. The description of God is confirmed. 2. The natural knowledge of God is added. 3. * How the name of GOD was taken by the Greeks from the Hebrew. 4. The arguments of the Photinians and Weigelians...

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Scripture is clear: God is incorporeal Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable.

So, what are we to make of the anthropomorphisms in the Bible?

Wendelin explores...

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": The Nature of God

THESIS I: Hitherto the προλεγόμενα/Prolegomena of Christian Theology: now follows the explication of the body of Theology itself by parts. Now, the former part of Theology concerns the knowledge of GOD, which teaches rightly and savingly to know God in Himself and in His works. THESIS II: GOD...

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Is the Doctrine of Divine Simplicity Biblical? or a mere construct of the Schoolmen?

Wendelin defends the ancient view...

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Primary Attributes of God, Part 1

THESIS VI: The Properties of the divine nature, or essence, are GOD’S essential attributes, whereby the truth and majesty of the divine essence comes to be known, and is distinguished from other things. EXPLANATION: I. We attribute Properties to GOD, following Scripture, in which God by the...

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Next installment of Wendelin's treatment of the Incommunicable attributes is just days away... Almost there...

 

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Is God immutable? Many theological systems deny it...at least implicitly.

Wendelin defends the historic orthodox view...

https://www.fromreformationtoreformation.com/post/wendelin-s-christian-theology-primary-attributes-of-god-part-2

 

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The first 100 pages of Wendelin are available here!

Wendelin-Theology

Marcus Friedrich Wendelin's Christian Theology. Wendelin (1584-1652) was a Reformed Theologian and educator. He served as Rector at Zerbst from 1610 to 1652. His Christian Theology is clear and concise, opening the internal logic of Biblical Teaching. Powerful!

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"In God's sight all things are open and manifest; His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to Him contingent, or uncertain."

Wendelin explores this profound truth...

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Secondary Attributes of God, Part 1

THESIS XIV: Hitherto the divine properties of the first class: Of the second class are those that are applicable to God in such a way that their express images are found in creatures, and which represent to us God as the principium of action. EXPLANATION: I. The attributes of God are divided...

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Next installment in the next day or two...

 

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How does the will of the infinite, eternal, and unchangeable God relate to finite, temporal, and ever-changing events on earth?

Wendelin seeks to loosen the knots... Get your thinking cap on.

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Secondary Attributes of God, Part 2

THESIS XVIII: The principium commanding action is the will, whereby God wills Himself of Himself, and beyond Himself all things because of Himself, or His own glory. EXPLANATION: I. Scripture everywhere attributes to God Will and willing: Let a few testimonies, out of a great many, be...

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Wendelin describes the beauty of the Divine Being.

"Thou art altogether lovely, O Most High..."

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Secondary Attributes of God, Part 3

THESIS XIX: In the Scripture there are various names for the divine will, which nevertheless indicate concepts, diverse to us, of clearly distinct properties: but they are able to be recalled to two top-level classes, namely, goodness and righteousness. THESIS XX: The Goodness of God it that...

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Wendelin previews for his readers his method and influences in the composition of his Systematic Theology!

Fascinating!

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Preface to the Reader

Grace and Peace to the benevolent Reader. Marvel not, O benevolent Reader, that after so many volumes, syntagmas, systems, compendia, synopses, marrows, and common places, my own efforts also in this class of Theological writing proceed into the light for the Church. In the edifying and...

www.fromreformationtoreformation.com

"But, that those things were not written for beginners, I readily understood; therefore, I commended the vast acres, but I thought to myself that but a little is to be cultivated: I saw them, as it were, contracted into a fist, and arranged in ingenious ways, which were then unpacked at great length by others, sometimes in a manner not so excellent; of which, as I commend the learning and acumen, so I have observed at first glance a diversity of goals."
Having read the above, I unpack my first and plow no further.

 

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"But, that those things were not written for beginners, I readily understood; therefore, I commended the vast acres, but I thought to myself that but a little is to be cultivated: I saw them, as it were, contracted into a fist, and arranged in ingenious ways, which were then unpacked at great length by others, sometimes in a manner not so excellent; of which, as I commend the learning and acumen, so I have observed at first glance a diversity of goals."
Having read the above, I unpack my first and plow no further.

It has been my experience, that the theologians frequently indulge in their most florid and elegant, wordy and dense, Latin in their prefatory and dedicatory pieces. However, when it is time to get to the subject matter, clarity becomes the goal. Wendelin's Latin is really quite simple, clear, and direct, once he gets into the subject matter.

 

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In Scripture, God is glorified with the title, "Almighty". Amen. He is worthy!

Wendelin explores some of the depths of this profound truth...

Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Secondary Attributes of God, Part 4

THESIS XXVII: Hitherto the commanding principium: the executing principium follows, which is the power of God, whereby God is able to do whatsoever things are not foreign to His nature and truth. EXPLANATION: I. The power of God is sometimes called His omnipotence: because God is able to do...

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