Die invloed van die Aristotelies-skolastieke filosofie op die Dordtse Leerreëls (1619): 'n Christelik–filosofiese analise
Abstract
The influence of Aristotelian-Scholastic philosophy on the
Canons of Dordt (1619); a Christian-philosophical analysis
Some Reformed theologians have already suggested that aspects
of Aristotle’s philosophy may have played a role in the formulation
of the Canons of Dordt. However, as theologians they could not pro -
vide a full picture of philosophical presuppositions of this confes -
sion, still accepted by many Reformed churches worldwide. Fur -
ther more, some of these scholars have tended to view Dordt as a
triumph of Aristotelian Scholasticism, while others have called such
a conclusion into question. What was the real state of affairs?
This contribution, therefore, takes up the issue again, but this time
from an explicitly Christian-philosophical perspective. The leading
question will be to what extent the scholastic philosophical orien tation
at Dordt affected the (theological) content of the Canons. Did this kind
of philosophy render a positive service to Reformed theo logy, was it
detrimental, or was it merely a matter of style that left the Canons’
contents basically unaffected? The investigation develops as follows: The first, general and introductory section includes the following
subsections. First, the basic question is asked whether and how the
Canons were philosophically influenced. Then the central problem
at Dordt is identified, viz. the relationship between God and the hu -
man being. Next two scholastic methods, current at the time, are
described. Some remarks about the use of the Scriptures in the
Canons follow. Finally a brief overview of subsequent theological
reflection on the Canons is given.
The second main part provides a brief characterisation of scholastic
thinking at the time of Dordt.
The third main section contains a detailed analysis of all five chap -
ters of the Canons. It indicates the presence of scholastic philo sop -
hy in general and a decretal theology built on a synthetic interpre -
tation of especially Aristotle’s philosophy.
Part four returns to the two main conflicting viewpoints at the Synod
and its final adoption of a late-medieval solution. Then it indicates
the similarity between the Canons and the “Synopsis Purioris Theo -
logiae”, published at the request of the Synod six years afterwards
in 1625.
Since the problem of the relationship between divine sovereignty
and human responsibility was not satisfactorily solved in the Ca -
nons, two questions are finally asked. The first is about contem po -
rary (Reformed) Christians’ attitude towards the Canons. The
second is whether a Reformational Christian philosophy may be
able to make a contribution towards solving the age-old and vexing
problem of divine sovereignty and human responsibility
Collections
- Faculty of Humanities [2033]