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Institutes of Elenctic Theology

Name: Institutes of Elenctic Theology
Author: Francis Turretin

Francis Turretin 1679 AI translation from Latin

Turretin systematically defends Reformed theology through elenctic method, addressing major theological controversies of the era.

Geneva: Samuel de Tournes, 1679–1685 (3 vols, Latin: Institutio theologiae elencticae); AI translation from Latin

From the text

The opening of the work as printed, in the spelling of this edition.

cannot be accomplished in any way, and also how it will come to pass that his death should not be bitter to us, whose life is sweet.

**FIRST TOPIC - ON THEOLOGY**

**FIRST QUESTION**

Whether the term "Theology" should be used in Christian schools, and in what ways it is taken.

I. Since according to the precise laws of method it is necessary to examine the use and force of terms first before coming to the matter itself, as the Philosopher requires, because words are the signs of things: certain preliminary remarks must be made concerning the term "Theology" before we come to the subject itself. Although the proposed question may seem hardly necessary, given the common and accepted use of this term among almost everyone, who consider it should be retained as a fitting term that properly and emphatically declares its own subject matter; nevertheless, we must address the opinion of some who Regarding the use of this term, those who regard it as a word that properly and emphatically declares its own subject think it should be retained. Nevertheless, we must address the opinion of some to whom this name is displeasing, because it does not exist in Scripture and is customarily employed to signify the mythology of the pagans, and who judge it more fitting to use other words drawn from Scripture.

II. Although the word "Theology" is not literally written, it is nevertheless not entirely absent; indeed, the simple words from which it is composed often occur there, such as "the oracles of God" and "the grace of God," Rom. 3:2, 1 Pet. 4:10, Heb. 5:12. It is one thing therefore to be in Scripture as to sound and syllables, or formally and in the abstract; it is another thing as to meaning and the thing signified, or materially and in the concrete. Theology does not exist in Scripture in the former way, but in the latter.

III. Although it is not permitted to devise any doctrines outside Scripture, it is permitted signified, or materially and in the concrete; Theology does not exist in Scripture in the former manner, but in the latter.

III. Although it is not lawful to devise any doctrines outside of Scripture, it is nevertheless lawful to use sometimes words which are not found in Scripture, if they are suitable either for explaining divine matters or for avoiding errors; for which purpose the terms Trinity, homoousios, Original Sin, and similar ones have been employed by theologians.

and voice to designate their own false theology; this does not prevent, however, that what they falsely and wickedly attributed the name of theology to their own teaching, should be vindicated for our true and saving doctrine. Just as the name of God, which signified a false and fictitious god among the pagans, and the name of Church, which designated a profane assembly, is taken in Scripture in a sounder sense concerning the true God and concerning the assembly of the saints. Thus the word theology, which is of Greek origin, has been transferred from the schools of the Gentiles to sacred uses, just as once the vessels of the Egyptians were destined by the Israelites for sacred uses.

V. We do not deny that there are various synonyms in Scripture by which heavenly doctrine is designated, as when it is called wisdom in a mystery, 1 Cor. 2:7, the form of sound words, 2 Tim. 1:13, the knowledge of the truth according to godliness, Tit. 1:1, doctrine, Tit. 1:9, and is expressed by other words of this kind.

1 Tim. 1:13, "knowledge of the truth according to godliness," Tit. 1:1, "doctrine," Tit. 1:9, and is expressed by other words of this kind. But the name can and should be retained no less for this reason, because it has been received by long usage, and is most suitable for expressing that saving doctrine.

VI. It is established that the word Theology was in use among the Gentiles. For those who spoke sublime things concerning God, or explained the worship of the gods, or explained their origins, marriages, offspring, dominions and deeds, were themselves called Theologians, and their knowledge Theology, as Lactantius notes in "On the Wrath of God" ch. 2, Clement of Alexandria Stromata 3, Isidore book 5, Aristotle Metaphysics 3.

VII. The name of Theology among Christians is either taken [Usage of the Name].

as Lactantius notes in "On the Wrath of God" ch. 2, Clement of Alexandria in Stromata 3, Isidore book 5, and Aristotle in Metaphysics 3.

VII. The name "Theology" among Christians is taken either inadequately from the efficient cause, as it signifies the Word of God (θεοῦ λόγος), and from the object as the discourse concerning God (λόγος περὶ θεοῦ); or adequately insofar as it denotes both—both the Word of God and discourse concerning God. These two must be joined together, because we cannot speak concerning God without God. So that the doctrine may be noted which originally is from God, objectively treats of God, and terminatively is directed toward God and leads to God—which Thomas expresses not badly in Prima Pars, question 7: "Theology is taught by God, teaches God, and leads to God." Thus this nomenclature encompasses theology's twofold principle: one of being, which is God, and another of knowing, which is His Word.

VIII. Again, it is taken in three ways among authors: 1. Broadly. 2. Strictly. 3. According to the proper extent of its signification.

God is, the other [aspect] of knowing, which is His Word. VIII. Again, it is taken in three ways among authors. 1. Broadly. 2. Strictly. 3. According to the just extent of its signification. In the first manner it is applied metaphysically, in which sense Aristotle calls first philosophy Theology in book 6 of the Metaphysics, chapter 1, and in book 10 divides theoretical philosophy into three parts: physics, mathematics, and theology. In the second [manner], the Fathers particularly designate by the name of theology that part of Christian doctrine which treats of the divinity of Christ, in which sense John is uniquely named the Theologian, because he strongly among others asserted this more than the rest, as he appears to expound in Rev. 1:2, and Gregory of Nazianzus among the remaining Fathers obtained the name of "Theologian" because he demonstrated Christ's divinity through various orations. Hence arose among them the distinction between theological and economical—the former they understand as doctrine concerning Christ's divinity, the latter as doctrine concerning his incarnation, and it is theological for them to discourse about Christ's divinity. Euseb. Eccl. Hist. book 5, ch. 28; Basil book 2 against Eunom.; and Nazian. Orations 42 and 49.

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Dedication, Preface and Contents
Topic 1, Question 1
Topic 1, Question 2: Whether Theology exists, and of what kind?
Topic 1, Question 3: Does Natural Theology exist?
Topic 1, Question 4: Is natural theology sufficient for salvation? Or, is there any common religion given by which all …
Topic 1, Question 5: Concerning the object of theology
Topic 1, Question 6: Concerning the genus of theology
Topic 1, Question 7: Whether Theology is Theoretical or Practical?
Topic 1, Question 8: Whether human reason is the principle and norm to which the dogmas of Christian religion and theology that …
Topic 1, Question 9: Whether reason renders any judgment in matters that are altogether above reason, so that there is one ?
Topic 1, Question 10: Whether the judgment of human reason concerning contradiction in matters of faith ought to be permitted
Topic 1, Question 11: Whether there is any use of the testimony of the senses in the mysteries of faith; or whether it is to be …
Topic 1, Question 12: On the Use of Consequences
Topic 1, Question 13: Whether Any Use of Philosophy in Theology is Legitimate?
Topic 1, Question 14: Concerning fundamental articles and errors
Topic 2, Question 1: On the Word of God
Topic 2, Question 2: On the necessity of Scripture
Topic 2, Question 3: Was Sacred Scripture written only occasionally and without divine command?
Topic 2, Question 4: On the authority of Scripture
Topic 2, Question 5: Do true contradictions occur in Scripture, or certain passages which cannot be resolved and reconciled by any …
Topic 2, Question 6: Whence does the Authority of Divine Scripture become known to us? Does it depend on the Testimony of the …
Topic 2, Question 7: Concerning the canon
Topic 2, Question 8: Are the Books of the Old Testament still part of the Canon of faith and the Rule of morals in the Church of …
Topic 2, Question 9: Concerning the apocryphal books
Topic 2, Question 10: Concerning the purity of the sources
Topic 2, Question 11: Concerning the authentic edition
Topic 2, Question 12
Topic 2, Question 13: Concerning versions
Topic 2, Question 14: Concerning the LXX version
Topic 2, Question 15: Concerning the Vulgate version
Topic 2, Question 16: Concerning the perfection of Scripture
Topic 2, Question 17: Concerning the perspicuity of Scripture
Topic 2, Question 18: Concerning the reading of Scripture
Topic 2, Question 19: On the sense of Scripture
Topic 2, Question 20: Concerning the supreme judge of controversies and the interpreter of Scripture
Topic 2, Question 21: Concerning the authority of the fathers
Topic 3, Question 1: Can the existence of God be invincibly demonstrated against atheists?
Topic 3, Question 2: Are there properly speaking Atheists?
Topic 3, Question 3: On the unity of God
Topic 3, Question 4: Concerning the name Jehovah
Topic 3, Question 5: Are the Divine Properties really distinct from the Divine Essence?
Topic 3, Question 6
Topic 3, Question 7: Concerning the simplicity of God
Topic 3, Question 8: Concerning the infinity of God
Topic 3, Question 9: Concerning the immensity of God
Topic 3, Question 10: Concerning the eternity of God
Topic 3, Question 11: Concerning the immutability of God
Topic 3, Question 12: Concerning the knowledge of God
Topic 3, Question 13: Concerning middle knowledge
Topic 3, Question 14: On the will of God
Topic 3, Question 15: Is the Will rightly distinguished into the Will of Decree and of Precept, εὐδοκίας and εὐαρεστίας, of Good …
Topic 3, Question 16: Is the Will rightly distinguished into Antecedent and Consequent, Efficacious and Inefficacious, Conditional …
Topic 3, Question 17
Topic 3, Question 18: Whether the Will of God is the Primary Rule of Justice?
Topic 3, Question 19: Concerning the justice of God
Topic 3, Question 20: On the goodness, love, grace, and mercy of God
Topic 3, Question 21: Concerning the power of God
Topic 3, Question 22: Concerning the dominion and power of God
Topic 3, Question 23: On the blessed Trinity. What is the proper use of the terms Essence, Substance, Subsistence, Person, Trinity …
Topic 3, Question 24: Whether the Mystery of the Trinity is a Fundamental Article of Faith? Against the Socinians and Remonstrants
Topic 3, Question 25: Are there three distinct Persons in one Divine Essence—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Topic 3, Question 26: Whether the Mystery of the Trinity can be demonstrated from the Old Testament, and whether it was known under …
Topic 3, Question 27: Whether the Divine Persons are distinguished from the Essence, and from each other, and in what manner?
Topic 3, Question 28: Concerning the deity of the Son
Topic 3, Question 29: Concerning the eternal generation of the Son
Topic 3, Question 30: Concerning the Holy Spirit's deity
Topic 3, Question 31: Concerning the procession of the Holy Spirit
Topic 4, Question 1: Whether Decrees are given in God, and how they exist in him?
Topic 4, Question 2: Are the decrees of God eternal? Affirmed, against the Socinians
Topic 4, Question 3: Are conditional decrees to be denied? Yes, against the Socinians, Remonstrants, and Jesuits
Topic 4, Question 4: Does the decree bring necessity to future things?
Topic 4, Question 5: Concerning the term of life
Topic 4, Question 6: On predestination
Topic 4, Question 7: In what sense are the terms Predestination, Election, Calling, and Reprobation employed in this Mystery?
Topic 4, Question 8: Concerning the predestination of angels
Topic 4, Question 9: Concerning the object of predestination
Topic 4, Question 10: Concerning the cause of election
Topic 4, Question 11
Topic 4, Question 12: Concerning the certainty of election
Topic 4, Question 13: Can a believer be certain of his Election, with a certainty not merely conjectural and moral, but infallible …
Topic 4, Question 14: Concerning reprobation
Topic 4, Question 15
Topic 4, Question 16
Topic 4, Question 17: Should there be attributed to God some conditional will, or a universal purpose of showing mercy to the whole …
Topic 4, Question 18: Concerning the order of God's decrees in predestination
Topic 5, Question 1: What is Creation?
Topic 5, Question 2: Can the power of creating be communicated to any creature, either principally or instrumentally?
Topic 5, Question 3: Whether the World has existed from eternity, or at least could have existed?
Topic 5, Question 4
Topic 5, Question 6: In what order were the Works of Creation produced by God in the Hexameron?
Topic 5, Question 7
Topic 5, Question 8
Topic 5, Question 9: Concerning the creation of man
Topic 5, Question 10: In what does the image of God consist, according to which man was created?
Topic 5, Question 11: Was original righteousness natural or supernatural?
Topic 5, Question 12: Did the first man before the fall have immortality? Or was he by nature and condition mortal? We affirm the …
Topic 5, Question 13: On the origin of the soul
Topic 5, Question 14: Concerning the immortality of the soul
Topic 6, Question 1
Topic 6, Question 2
Topic 6, Question 3: Concerning the object of providence
Topic 6, Question 4: Concerning the acts of providence
Topic 6, Question 5: Concerning the concurrence of God
Topic 6, Question 6: How can God's concurrence be reconciled with the contingency and liberty of second causes, and especially of …
Topic 6, Question 7: Concerning God's providence in evil
Topic 6, Question 8: Does it follow from our doctrine, and can it be drawn by legitimate consequence, that we make God the author …
Topic 6, Question 9: Whether there is a right use and abuse of the doctrine of Providence?
Topic 7, Question 1
Topic 7, Question 2: Are Angels spiritual and incorporeal substances? Affirmed
Topic 7, Question 3: Concerning the knowledge of angels
Topic 7, Question 4: What is the Will and Free Choice of Angels, and whether Affections fall upon them?
Topic 7, Question 5: What is the Power of Angels?
Topic 7, Question 6: Concerning the appearances of angels
Topic 7, Question 7: Concerning the orders of angels
Topic 7, Question 8: Concerning the ministry of angels
Topic 7, Question 9: Concerning the intercession and worship of angels
Topic 8, Question 1
Topic 8, Question 2
Topic 8, Question 3: Concerning the covenant of nature
Topic 8, Question 4: Concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
Topic 8, Question 5: Concerning the tree of life
Topic 8, Question 6: Did Adam have a promise of eternal and heavenly life, so that having completed the course of obedience he …
Topic 8, Question 7: Concerning paradise
Topic 9, Question 1: The formal nature of sin
Topic 9, Question 2: Whether the voluntary, insofar as it belongs to one who acts knowing and willing something, is of the essence …
Topic 9, Question 3: Whether guilt is formally sin itself, or its inseparable adjunct? Or whether it is merely its effect? And …
Topic 9, Question 4: Concerning venial and mortal sin
Topic 9, Question 5: Concerning the fall of the angels. What was the sin of the angels by which they are said to have fallen away …
Topic 9, Question 6: On the fall of Adam
Topic 9, Question 7
Topic 9, Question 8: Did Adam through his fall lose the image of God?
Topic 9, Question 9: Is Adam's actual disobedience imputed to all his posterity who spring from him by natural generation through …
Topic 9, Question 10: On original sin
Topic 9, Question 11: Has original sin corrupted the very substance of the soul? And is it mere privation? Or is it also some …
Topic 9, Question 12: On the propagation of sin
Topic 9, Question 13: Concerning Actual Sin and Its Various Dimensions
Topic 9, Question 14: In what does the formal nature of sin against the Holy Spirit consist? And why is it irremissible?
Topic 9, Question 15: Can sin be the punishment of sin?
Topic 10, Question 1: Whether the name "Free Will" or "self-determination" should be retained in Christian schools? And to which …
Topic 10, Question 2: Does any necessity conflict with freedom of the will? No, against the Papists and Remonstrants
Topic 10, Question 3: Is the formal nature of Free Will situated in indifference? Or rather in rational willing? We deny the former …
Topic 10, Question 4: Whether free will in the state of sin is so enslaved and bound to sin that it can do nothing but sin: Or …
Topic 10, Question 5: Concerning the virtues of the heathen