Freedom from Fatalism

Samuel Rutherford's (1600-1661) Doctrine of Divine Providence

by Robert C. Sturdy and associate editor Christopher B. Brown, Gunter Frank, Barbara Mahlmann-Bauer, Tarald Rasmussen, Violet Soen, Gunther Wassilowsky, Siegrid Westphal and Zsombor Toth

Book cover: Freedom from Fatalism

Extent: 357 pages

Publisher: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht

Subjects: Early Modern & Renaissance Studies, Religious Studies

Series: Reformed Historical Theology

Series volume number: 68

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(August 2021)

ISBN: 9783525568637

6.06 x 9.06 inches

Price: $156.00

In stock

Samuel Rutherford’s (1600-1661) scholastic theology has been criticized as overly deterministic and even fatalistic, a charge common to Reformed Orthodox theologians of the era. This project applies the new scholarship on Reformed Orthodoxy to Rutherford’s doctrine of divine providence. The doctrine of divine providence touches upon many of the disputed points in the older scholarship, including the relationship between divine sovereignty and creaturely freedom, necessity and contingency, predetermination, and the problem of evil. Through a close examination of Rutherford’s Latin works of scholastic theology, as well as many of his English works, a portrait emerges of the absolutely free and independent Creator, who does not utilize his sovereignty to dominate his subordinate creatures, but rather to guarantee their freedom. This analysis challenges the older scholarship while making useful contributions to the lively conversation concerning Reformed thought on freedom.

  • By (author) Robert C Sturdy
  • Associate editor Christopher B Brown
  • Associate editor Günter Frank
  • Associate editor Barbara Mahlmann-Bauer
  • Associate editor Tarald Rasmussen
  • Associate editor Violet Soen
  • Associate editor Zsombor Tóth
  • Associate editor Günther Wassilowsky
  • Associate editor Siegrid Westphal

"Robert Sturdy explores Samuel Rutherford's doctrine of providence, stressing divine and human freedom, with expert skill. . . This study is both interesting in its chosen subject and it serves as a model to historians of intellectual history." McGraw, Ryan M., Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
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