Elenctic Theology Institution Volume I Part I (Hardcover)

Francis Turretin is the most renowned scholastic Reformed theologian. His Institutio Theologiae Elencticae (Institutes of Elenctic Theology) was the systematic theology manual for seminaries for many years. The presentation of doctrine, in its question-and-answer format, makes the reader feel part of the exposition. This work, translated directly from Latin by eight of the most recognized Latinists and scholastic experts, marks a watershed in academic theological publications. In a Latin America accustomed to importing its knowledge from the United States, it proposes a purer way of doing theology.

Turretin's theology critically influenced the theology of the Puritans; though relatively forgotten in history, Turretin's work is an important text read by theology students. John Gerstner considered Turretin the “most precise theologian of the Calvinist tradition.”

As its title indicates, this work is elenctic or polemical in nature, meaning it is a method that seeks to persuade regarding the truth of a matter while exposing the inconsistencies and errors of opponents. In this case, and being a Reformed scholastic treatise, it seeks to defend the orthodox position expressed primarily in the Canons of Dort. He carried out this defense mainly through a robust biblical foundation, which, of course, did not prevent the use of the Church Fathers, medieval or contemporary theologians. This book will definitely help with Paul's imperative: the exercise of intelligent and practical piety.

Francis Turretin (October 17, 1623 - September 28, 1687).

Swiss Protestant theologian. Turretin is especially known for openly opposing Socinianism, Arminianism, and the Saumur school, which was led by Moise Amyraut and called Amyraldianism, a heretical theology that replaced the doctrine of limited atonement with a universalist theology:

“Jesus died for all men to make a way to heaven possible for each one as long as they are willing to initiate conversion.”

Turretin was a defender of Calvinist Orthodoxy represented by the Synod of Dort, and was one of the authors of the "Helvetic Consensus Formula" which defended the formulation of double predestination of the Synod of Dort and the verbal inspiration of the Bible.

Turretin was educated in Geneva, Leiden, Utrecht, Paris, Saumur, Montauban, and Nîmes. He was a pastor and professor of Theology in 1653.

Among his main works is the "Institutio Theologiae Elencticae" (3 parts, Geneva 1679-1685), this work became the standard text within Reformed Protestantism until it was replaced at Princeton University by Charles Hodge's theology text at the end of the 19th century. This massive work of Reformed scholasticism spans almost 1,800 pages in the Latin edition.

Turretin's theology critically influenced the theology of the Puritans; though relatively forgotten in history, Turretin's work is an important text read by theology students. John Gerstner considered Turretin the “most precise theologian of the Calvinist tradition.”

When we compare Turretin's works with the voluminous works of Luther and the writings of Calvin, Turretin's surpass them, and this is with great respect for the great Reformers.

Pages: 350

Dimensions: 15.24 x 22.86 x 2.41 cm

ISBN: 9789929828155