Caspar Olevian and the Substance of the Covenant

This volume is the most comprehensive treatment of Olevian’s theology published to date. Reflecting an impressive breadth of research and depth of analysis, it delivers on its promise at the beginning to move beyond other works on Olevian’s covenant thought by placing his doctrine of the covenant in context of his theology as a whole. In doing so, it offers, one might say, a duplex beneficium. First, it secures Olevian’s reputation as a significant theologian in his own right and not simply as the failed reformer of Trier, the court preacher of Heidelberg, or an author of the Heidelberg Catechism. Second, it accurately identifies his place in the development of Reformed theology as it passed from the Age of Reformation to the Age of Orthodoxy.

Endorsements

"Dr. Clark’s book is a very welcome addition to the growing literature on the development of Reformed Orthodoxy in the Reformation and post-Reformation period. In a series of carefully argued chapters, he places Olevian’s thought in historical context and, by so doing, puts to rest a number of misconstructions of doctrinal development during this time while shedding new light upon the relationship of the theology of Olevian to that of the Heidelberg Catechism, of John Calvin, and of the wider Reformed world. This is a book that should be ready by all students and scholars interested in the theology of the period in general and of Olevian in particular."
—Carl R. Trueman

"Clark’s study of Caspar Olevian’s doctrine of the covenant and its ‘twofold benefit,’ justification and sanctification, is a fine and needed addition to the literature on the developing Reformed tradition during the sixteenth century. Contrary to the claim of some who advocate a ‘Calvin against the Calvinist’ approach to the development of the Reformed tradition, Clark demonstrates that Olevian’s work was ‘in Calvin’s line.’ Since Olevian was an important contributor to the writing of the Heidelberg Catechism, Clark’s study also sheds light upon that great Reformed confession."
—Cornelis P. Venema

Contents

Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction

1. Strangers and Aliens: International Calvinism in the Sixteenth Century
2. Caspar Olevian: Preacher to the Germans
3. Olevian's Scholastic Humanism
4. Olevian's Trinitarian Doctrine of God
5. Olevian's Federalist Christology
6. Justification: The First Benefit of the Covenant of Grace
7. Sanctification: The Second Benefit of the Covenant of Grace

Bibliography
Index