The Fundamentals of Sacred Theology

In exactly one thousand statements, Campegius Vitringa presents the Christian faith as it has been taught and cherished in the Reformed tradition. In his time as a professor, Vitringa used these aphorisms as an outline for his theological lectures, stimulating his students to explore the truths of Scripture further. Clear and concise, The Fundamentals of Sacred Theology is a seventeenth-century gem that instructs “us about God and the ways of God for sure comfort in this life and salvation in the next.”

Endorsements

“Campegius Vitringa Sr. is a person few know today but who was a giant in his own day. He was a renowned exegete and theologian who wrote massive works but also wanted younger students to grasp the fundamentals of theology. Fundamentals of Sacred Theology is where he makes transcendent truths accessible to the uninitiated. Informed by a close reading of Scripture and streams of deep theological thought, Vitringa’s work assists readers in knowing the Word of God. Professor Levi Berntson has done the church a great service by translating this once-lost-but-now-found gem.”
—J. V. Fesko, Harriet Barbour Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi

“Campegius Vitringa Sr. is one of the many theologians who contributed to the development of Reformed orthodoxy and whose names have sadly been forgotten. Such forgetfulness of our Reformed theological heritage has been detrimental to our churches. This translation of The Fundamentals of Sacred Theology by Levi Berntson is a wonderful reintroduction to the work of this faithful Reformed theologian.”
—Keith Mathison, professor of systematic theology, Reformation Bible College, Sanford, Florida

“Levi Berntson has provided a fluent translation of a significant piece of high orthodox Reformed theology together with an excellent introduction to Vitringa and his work. Vitringa’s Fundamentals, identified as Aphorismi in the original Latin, offers a full summary of theology in the form of succinct definitions that places Vitringa in the mainline of Reformed federal theology. Fundamentals of Sacred Theology is a welcome addition to our growing library of the older Reformed theology in translation.”
—Richard A. Muller, P. J. Zondervan Professor of Historical Theology emeritus at Calvin Theological Seminary and scholar in residence at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

Contents

Translator’s Preface and Acknowledgments
Introduction to Campegius Vitringa Sr. (1659–1722)

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SACRED THEOLOGY

Vitringa’s Dedication
Vitringa’s Preface

Chapter 1: Definition of Theology
Chapter 2: Holy Scripture
Chapter 3: God
Chapter 4: The Mystery of the One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Chapter 5: The Eternal Work and Decrees of God
Chapter 6: Creation of the World, Angels, and Men
Chapter 7: The General Preservation and Governing of Created Things, Especially of Man
Chapter 8: The Governance of Righteous Man, or the Covenant of Works
Chapter 9: The Result of the Governance of Righteous Man, or the Fall of Man
Chapter 10: Sin and Its Consequences
Chapter 11: The Effects of Sin, Both in the First Man and in His Posterity
Chapter 12: That Which Is Called the Annulling of the Covenant of Works
Chapter 13: The Testament of the Father and the Son in Grace for the Sinner
Chapter 14: Faith
Chapter 15: The Covenant of Grace Which Was Made in an Eternal Testament, and Its Various Dispensations
Chapter 16: The Time of Promise, and Its Three Intervals Stated
Chapter 17: The Gospel, or the Testament of Grace Revealed, and the Acquired Goods of This Testament Which Were Promised
Chapter 18: The Messiah, Jesus the Nazarene
Chapter 19: Firstfruits of the Death and Obedience of Christ, or Satisfaction
Chapter 20: Calling, Regeneration, and Repentance
Chapter 21: Justification of Sinful Man by Faith, Peace, Adoption, Liberty, and the Effects
Chapter 22: Sanctification, Good Works, and Perseverance of the Saints
Chapter 23: Glorification
Chapter 24: Sacraments of the New Covenant
Chapter 25: The Church

Bibliography