In exactly one thousand statements, Campegius Vitringa instructs us in the Christian faith as it has been taught and cherished in the Reformed tradition. This compendium of theology originally served as an outline for his theological lectures and a catalyst for his students to further explore the truths of Scripture. But this is more than just an example of a textbook from a bygone era. The Fundamentals of Sacred Theology is a seventeenth-century gem meant to “instruct us about God and the ways of God for sure comfort in this life and salvation in the next.”

Contents  

Introduction to Campegius Vitringa Sr. (1659–1722)

Vitringa’s Dedication  

Vitringa’s Preface

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

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

About the Author

Campegius Vitringa (1659–1722) was professor of oriental languages, theology, and church history at Franeker University from 1680 until his death.

Levi Berntson is assistant professor of theology at Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida.