Division
Theological Division
Reader 1
Richard A. Muller
Reader 1
John Bolt
Advisor
Henry De Moor
Date of Award
5-13-2002
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Theology (Th.M)
Abstract
The problem stated is two fold: Post Reformation studies, and in particular those on the Nadere Reformatie have been deficient in appraising Petrus van Mastricht (1630- 1706) and his work, and the study of the divine attributes in context of the Dutch seventeenth century has been limited in general and restricted mainly to doctrinal reflections. Therefore, this thesis offers an introduction to the life and work of Petrus van Mastricht, and a descriptive analytical study of divine spirituality, simplicity, and immutability as found in the Theoreticopractica Theologia or Beschouwende en Praktikale Godgeleerdheit. The study of these attributes will be placed in the context of the Dutch reformed orthodoxy of the seventeenth century or Nadere Reformatie. In fact, van Mastricht's approach demonstrates the argument that the teaching of the divine attributes is not merely a priori stated and imposed as a system, but is a living theology and dialogue of the work of God and salvation.
Chapter 1 concentrates on biographical information about Petrus van Mastricht, examines issues and problems of secondary literature pertaining to the Nadere Refarmatie and presents an introduction to the Theoretico- practica Theologia. Chapter 2 examines the doctrine of God in the Nadere Reformatie by reviewing issues and problems in the secondary literature and by appraising its primary sources limited to divine spirituality, simplicity and immutability. The following chapter focuses on the structure of the doctrine of God by van Mastricht with particular attention paid to the premises of the divine attributes. Chapter 4 concentrates on van Mastricht's understanding of divine spirituality, simplicity and immutability, which he combined in the Quid sit Deus. The final chapter provides a conclusion regarding the study of divine spirituality, simplicity and immutability in Petrus van Mastricht's doctrine of God in the context of his time, weighed against the secondary literature. In addition, a prospect is given for a nadere study.
Recommended Citation
Neele, Adriaan Cornelis, "A Study of Divine Spirituality, Simplicity, and Immutability in Petrus van Mastricht's Doctrine of God" (2002). CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses. 22.
https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/cts_theses/22
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