Wendelin's Christian Theology: Volume 1

Marcus Friedrich Wendelin (1584-1652) was a German Reformed Theologian and educator. He served as Rector at Zerbst from 1610 to 1652. Wendelin passed his career on the frontier between the Reformed and Lutheran Churches, the polemical context urging him toward remarkable precision in theological statement, a precision demonstrated in his "Systemate Maiori" (a complete system of theology presented in syllogistic form), and in his "Collatione Doctrinæ Christianæ Reformatorum et Lutheranorum". Although Wendelin enjoyed regard and esteem on both sides of the Confessional divide, his critique of Lutheran doctrine drew mighty opponents into the field: including Christoph Frank of Kiel ("Exercitationibus Anti-Wendelinis") and the great John Gerhard ("Collegio Antiwendelino"). Wendelin’s "Christinæ Theologiæ Libri Duo" ("Christian Theology") differs from his "Systemate Maiori" in at least three ways: 1. The former is positive, and a little less polemical. 2. It is briefer. 3. And, finally, although Wendelin’s careful logical method is evident throughout, it is less rigorously syllogistic. Consequently, "Christian Theology" is more suitable as an introductory text. It is hoped that Wendelin’s "Christian Theology" might now be a blessing to Christians in English-speaking lands, as it was to European Christians in times past.