De Moor I: Outline of the Term and Definition of Theology

In this Chapter occurs,

I.  A Nominal Treatment of THEOLOGY, § 1-6, in which things pertaining to the Name are to be considered:

A.  Its Etymology, inasmuch as it is composed of Θεὸς/theos/God and λόγος/logos/word, with the result that it is Θεοῦ λόγος, theou logos, a word of, or pertaining to, God, § 1, in the former part; hence is exhibited

א.  The original signification of the Name Theology, § 1, in part two.

ב.  Is delivered the first, ἄγραφος/unwritten, use of the word, even with respect to the paronymic name of Theologian, § 2;

γ.  Are set forth the component words ἔγγραφοι/written, Θεοῦ λόγια, theou logia, the oracles of God, and Θεοῦ λόγος, theou logos, the word of God, and this indeed

α.  ἐνυπόστατος, or personal, § 3,

β.  προφορικὸς, or uttered, § 4, in the former part;

ד.  The conclusion is hence deduced, that the term Theology is not to be rejected as ἄγραφον, a thing unwritten, § 4, in the latter part:

B.  Its Synonymy, § 5,

C.  Its Homonymy, as it is used of Theology

א.  False, which is said to be chiefly fourfold,

α.  Pseudo-Christian,

β.  Mohammadan,

γ.  Contemporary Jewish,

δ.  Gentile, and that again,

a.  Fabulous,

b.  Natural,

c.  Civil:

ב.  True, § 6.

II.  A Real Treatment; in which are to be observed

A.            The Division of True Theology with respect to the Subjects, according to which in the first place is Archetypal or Ectypal:

B.             An Explication of this Division; even indeed

א.  Of Theology Archetypal, § 7;

ב.   Ectypal, which

α.  Is explained in general, § 8, in the beginning,

β.  Is subdivided into the Theology

a.  Of Union, concerning which § 8, in the latter part,

b.  Of Vision, concerning which § 9,

c.  Of the Race-course; of which

a.  The Nature is explained, § 10,

b.  The Existence is proven, § 11, and which

c.  Is divided again into Theology Natural and Revealed.

1.  Concerning Natural Theology the Author treats, § 12-22:

§.  The Existence of it

̸ .  He asserts, and distinctly indeed

̅ .  Of Theology Innate, § 12,

̲̅ .  Of Theology Acquired, § 13:

As if in parentheses the AUTHOR inserts here two Observations:

I.   For the acquisition of Natural Theology Universal Doubt, concerning even the Existence of God Himself, is not to be urged, § 14;

II.  In what sense the Idea of God is to be admitted in man, and in what way the argument for the Existence of God thence fetched is valid and not valid, § 15;

̸ ̸.  He distinguishes the Natural Theology in man Fallen from the Natural Theology of Adam, § 16;

̸ ̸ ̸.  He vindicates from the Objections of those denying it, especially of the Socinians, § 17;

§§.  The Object of it he delineates, relating just how far

̸.  Positively it actually reaches,

̸ ̸.  Negatively it does not reach, § 18;

§§§.  An Adjunct hence flowing, namely, the Insufficiency of Natural Theology for salvation;

̸.  It is constructed with arguments, § 19;

̸ ̸.  It is freed from the Objections of the Pelagians and Socinians, § 20:

§§§§.  The Agreement and Difference of Natural and Revealed Theology is indicated, § 21;

§§§§§.  The End of Natural Theology is observed, § 22:

2.  Concerning Revealed Theology the AUTHOR speaks, § 23-36,

§.  The Necessity of which he demonstrates, § 23;

§§.  The various Divisions of which he treats, according to which there is

̸.  Practical or Habitual, with a supernatural Character, composed of Knowledge, Wisdom, Prudence, § 24;

̸ ̸.  Doctrinal or Systematic, which

̅ .  Again is divided

†.  With respect to its Parts, especially into Didactic and Elenctic, § 25, in the first part,

††.  With respect to the Manner of treatment, into

AA.  Positive, and

BB.  Scholastic; which latter again

אא.  Either is so called in a good sense, which is set forth, § 25, in the latter part,

בב.  Or in an inferior sense, for the Scholastic Theology of the Papists, concerning which what is to be insisted on is shown, § 26;

̲̅ .  Is defined, § 27, which Definition is explained

†.  With respect to Genus, § 28-31, which

AA.  In general is called Doctrine, § 28, in the beginning,

BB.  In particular

אא.  Practical no less, indeed more, than Theoretical; which

αα.  Is proven,

ββ.  Is defended against Objections, § 28, in the second part;

בב.  Doctrine, not only Noëtic, but also Dianoëtic, in which the use of Consequences

αα.  Is asserted, § 29, the first part,

ββ.  Is defended against Anabaptists, Lutherans, and Papists, § 29, the second part, § 30;

γγ.  The Papistical Division of Consequences into Conclusions Theological and of Faith is rejected, § 31;

††.  With respect to the Difference of Species, sought from

AA.  Its Principium, whence Revealed Theology is drawn; which

אא.  With respect to its own nature,

αα.  Is explained,

aa.  Positively, inasmuch as it is the sole Word of God:

bb.  Negatively; in which are rejected,

aa.  The Decrees of Synods,

bb.  The authority of the Fathers or of the Philosophers,

cc.  The Testimony of the Senses,

dd.  Human reason, the manifold Use of which in Revealed Theology is nevertheless indicated,

‡.  Ministerial, and that various;

‡‡.  The more Principal, § 32;

ββ.  Is confirmed, § 33, in the beginning;

בב.  With respect to the Mode of Revelation was various, as it is related, § 33, the last part;

BB.  Its Object, which is true Religion, § 34,

CC.  Its Subject, which is Fallen Man, § 35,

DD.  Its End, which is

אא.  Supreme, the Glory of God,

בב.  Subordinate, the Salvation of Men, § 36.