On the Use and Abuse of Systematic Theology [pp. 171-190]

Systems of Theology.
the ranks of the Thomists, and, without going over to the
opposite sect, became the founder of a new school. He is
supposed by Staeudlin to have contributed greatly to the
downfal of the scholastic system. To these may be added
Occam, an English Franciscan, who opposed the papacy, and
encouraged a more liberal method in theology; and Bradwardin, who openly attacked the scholastic system, and maintained that the genuine or Augustinian doctrines had been exchanged for mere Pelagianism. His work de Causa Dei
contra Pelagium, contains much that savours of a purer
theology.
This was the dawn of a brighter day for religious investigation. In looking back from this point upon all the dialectic school, we are struck with the darkness which overspread
the field of theology, in consequence of the multitude of sects;
the introduction of foreign principles and speculations; the
contempt thr~own upon sound exegesis; the almost divine
honours paid to philosophers and doctors; and the barbarous
roughness with which every subject was handled. The bounds
of human reason were overleaped, and a recondite sophistry
usurped the place of candid argument. It is not, therefore, in
this period that we are to seek for any thing like purity in
theological systems.
The Reformation cave birth to a new school of dogmatic
theology. Luther indeed, though celebrated as a logician,
left no work, strictly pertaining to this class; but in the Loci
Commutnes of Melancthon, we have model which might do
honour to the brightest age of scriptural investigation. It is
pleasing to observe with what deference this good man was
regarded by his bolder coadjutors. The first edition of this
earliest system reformed theology appeared at Wittemberg,
A. D. 1521. Luther characterized the work, as "invictum
libellum, et non solum immortalitate, sed quoque canone dignum."t In the Reformed Church, we need not remind the
reader of the compendious works of Zuingle, and the Institutes of Calvin. The latter work has passed through innumerable editions, and has appeared in the Latin, French,
Spanish, English, German, Dutch, Hungarian, and Greek
languages. In the Lutheran Church might be mentioned the
leading names of Calixtus, Chemnitz, Striegel, Gerhard, Horneius, Henichius, Hulsemann, Calvius, and Koenig: in the
t Luth. Op. ii. 241. Wittemb.
176
* Buddeus, p. 346.