Wrestling with Isaiah
The Exegetical Methodology of Campegius Vitringa (1659-1722)
by Charles K. Telfer
Campegius Vitringa (1659-1722) of Franeker University was a biblical scholar of considerable influence for the first half of the 18th century. Similar to that of Calvin, his exegetical methodology attempts to walk a via media between the historicism of Grotius (1583-1645) and the Christocentrism of Cocceius (1603-1669). His magnum opus was a widely-acclaimed commentary on Isaiah (1720). Vitringa scholars have charted his influence along a historical-critical trajectory (including Schultens, Venema, Alberti, Manger, Delitzsch, and Gesenius) and along a Pietistic trajectory (including Franke, Lange, and Bengel, leading toward Lessing, Herder and German Idealism). The book includes the first biography in English and compares his hermeneneutical theoria with his praxis. It analyzes Vitringa’s exegetical presuppositions, his remarkably high view of the Bible, and his canones hermeneuticos (highly valued by J.J. Rambach [1693-1735]). It shows Vitringa’s contextual sensitivity at every level of exegesis, commitment to New Testament normativity in the reading of Isaiah (in which redemptive history is the ultimate hermeneutical horizon), nuanced views on the historical fulfillment of prophecy, and concern for pastoral application. A scholar’s scholar, widely admired for his mastery of the languages and his intense historical focus in exegesis, Vitringa was also appreciated for his orthodox views, warm-hearted piety, and love for the church.
Campegius Vitringa (1659-1722) of Franeker University was a biblical scholar of considerable influence for the first half of the 18th century. Similar to that of Calvin, his exegetical methodology attempts to walk a via media between the historicism of Grotius (1583-1645) and the Christocentrism of Cocceius (1603-1669). His magnum opus was a widely-acclaimed commentary on Isaiah (1720). Vitringa scholars have charted his influence along a historical-critical trajectory (including Schultens, Venema, Alberti, Manger, Delitzsch, and Gesenius) and along a Pietistic trajectory (including Franke, Lange, and Bengel, leading toward Lessing, Herder and German Idealism). The book includes the first biography in English and compares his hermeneneutical theoria with his praxis. It analyzes Vitringa’s exegetical presuppositions, his remarkably high view of the Bible, and his canones hermeneuticos (highly valued by J.J. Rambach [1693-1735]). It shows Vitringa’s contextual sensitivity at every level of exegesis, commitment to New Testament normativity in the reading of Isaiah (in which redemptive history is the ultimate hermeneutical horizon), nuanced views on the historical fulfillment of prophecy, and concern for pastoral application. A scholar’s scholar, widely admired for his mastery of the languages and his intense historical focus in exegesis, Vitringa was also appreciated for his orthodox views, warm-hearted piety, and love for the church.
- By (author) Charles K Telfer
"This book can serve as a useful stepping-stone into this broader field of study, which still remains largely empty. By doing so, Telfer not only fills a gap in studies in Reformed historical theology, but his work may potentially help the growing body of scholars who are searching for alternatives to modern critical exegesis." --Ryan M. McGraw, Calvin Theological Journal 52.2
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Volume 46
Orthodox, Puritan, Baptist
Hercules Collins (1647-1702) and Particular Baptist Identity in Early Modern England
Volume 32
A Heavenly Directory
Trinitarian Piety, Public Worship and a Reassessment of John Owen's Theology
Volume 29
As Often As You Eat This Bread
Communion Frequency in English, Scottish, and Early American Churches
Volume 74
The Beginning of a Spirit-filled Church
A Study of the Implications of the Pneumatology for the Ecclesiology in John Calvin's Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles
Volume 45
Franciscus Junius d.A. (1545-1602)
Ein reformierter Theologe im Spannungsfeld zwischen spathumanistischer Irenik und reformierter Konfessionalisierung
Volume 3
A New Divinity
Transatlantic Reformed Evangelical Debates during the Long Eighteenth Century
Volume 49
Calvin, Exile, and Religious Refugees
Papers of the Thirteenth International Congress on Calvin Research
Volume 78
Why Heaven Kissed Earth
The Christology of the Puritan Reformed Orthodox Theologian, Thomas Goodwin (1600-1680)
Volume 13
Accepted and Renewed in Christ
The Twofold Grace of God and the Interpretation of Calvin's Theology
Volume 2
The Promise of the Trinity
The Covenant of Redemption in the Theologies of Witsius, Owen, Dickson, Goodwin, and Cocceius
Volume 48
Christ and the Covenant
Francis Turretin's Federal Theology as a Defense of the Doctrine of Grace
Volume 1
Reprobation: from Augustine to the Synod of Dort
The Historical Development of the Reformed Doctrine of Reprobation
Volume 63
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