
Grace and Freedom
William Perkins and the Early Modern Reformed Understanding of Free Choice and Divine Grace
Richard A. Muller(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 5. September 2020
Book
Hardback
244 pages
978-0-19-751746-8 (ISBN)
Description
Grace and Freedom addresses the issue of divine grace in relation to the freedom of the will in Reformed or "Calvinist" theology in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century. It focuses on the work of the English Reformed theologian William Perkins, especially his role as an apologist of the Church of England, defending its theology against the Roman Catholic polemic, and specifically against the charge that Reformed theology denies human free choice. Perkins and his Reformed contemporaries affirm that salvation occurs by grace alone and that God is the ultimate cause of all things, but they also insist on the freedom of the human will and specifically the freedom of choice in a way that does not conform to modern notions of "libertarian freedom" or "compatibilism." In developing this position, Perkins drew on the thought of Reformers such as Peter Martyr Vermigli and Zacharias Ursinus, on the nuanced positions of medieval scholastics, and several contemporary Roman Catholic representatives of the so-called "second scholasticism." His work was a major contribution to early modern Reformed thought both in England and on the continent. His influence in England extended both to the Reformed heritage of the Church of England and to English Puritanism. On the continent, his work contributed to the main lines of Reformed orthodoxy and to the piety of the Dutch Second Reformation.
Reviews / Votes
Grace and Freedom will be of interest to those contemplating the question of how free will and sovereign grace can coexist without contradiction and is essential reading for specialists in the field. * Andrew S. Ballitch, Westwood Alliance Church, Mansfield, Ohio, USA, Evangelical Quarterly * This is a challenging and important book. Any historian who wants to discuss early modern Reformed thought competently will need to familiarise themselves with the conceptual landscape that Muller so ably maps out. * Matthew N. Payne, Journal of Ecclesiastical History * The issue of God's grace and human freedom has been of ongoing importance to Christian theology. Muller's book examines this key point of contention between Reformed Protestants and Roman Catholicism. It also illuminates the Reformed orthodox understanding of free choice and whether modern terminology of "libertarianism" and "compatibilism" are legitimate ways to discuss Reformed viewpoints. * Donald K. McKim, Church History Reviews * ...[the book] ought to be read, and read with patience and care. Like all of Muller's works, Grace and Freedom repays such patience and care. I hope that beyond its contribution to Perkins studies and the historiographical debates with the Utrecht School, Helm, and others, this work will also signal the need, especially among the young, restless and reformed or new Calvinist types, for care and detailed attention to the Reformed tradition's understanding of nature and grace. * Joshua Schendel, Modern Reformation * No-one has done more than Richard A. Muller to shape our approach to early modern historical theology ... [an] important new book * Crawford Gribben, New Books Network *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
537 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-751746-8 (9780197517468)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Richard A. Muller
Grace and Freedom
William Perkins and the Early Modern Reformed Understanding of Free Choice and Divine Grace
E-Book
06/2020
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€46.99
Available for download

Richard A. Muller
Grace and Freedom
William Perkins and the Early Modern Reformed Understanding of Free Choice and Divine Grace
E-Book
06/2020
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€36.99
Available for download
Person
Richard A. Muller is Senior Fellow at Junius Institute for Digital Reformation Research and P. J.
Zondervan Professor of Historical Theology Emeritus at Calvin Theological Seminary
Zondervan Professor of Historical Theology Emeritus at Calvin Theological Seminary
Author
Senior FellowSenior Fellow, Junius Institute for Digital Reformation Research
Content
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1. William Perkins and his Contemporaries on "Free Will"
Chapter 2. Knowing and Willing in Freedom: Divine and Human
Chapter 3. The Nature of the Will and its Strength
Chapter 4. Liberty and Mutability: the Strength of the Will and the Loss of Grace
Chapter 5. Liberty Restored: Grace and the Will in Redemption and Glorification
Chapter 6. The Harmony and Consent of Divine and Human Willing
Chapter 7. Conclusions
Bibliography
Introduction
Chapter 1. William Perkins and his Contemporaries on "Free Will"
Chapter 2. Knowing and Willing in Freedom: Divine and Human
Chapter 3. The Nature of the Will and its Strength
Chapter 4. Liberty and Mutability: the Strength of the Will and the Loss of Grace
Chapter 5. Liberty Restored: Grace and the Will in Redemption and Glorification
Chapter 6. The Harmony and Consent of Divine and Human Willing
Chapter 7. Conclusions
Bibliography