John Davenant's Hypothetical Universalism: A Defense of Catholic and Reformed Orthodoxy (Oxford Studies in Historical Theology)

Recently there has been a revival of interest in the views held by Reformed theologians within the parameters of confessional orthodoxy. For example, the doctrine known as 'hypothetical universalism'--the idea that although Christ died in some sense for every person, his death was intended to bring about the salvation only for those who were predestined for salvation. Michael Lynch focuses on the hypothetical universalism of the English theologian and bishop John Davenant (1572-1641), arguing that it has consistently been misinterpreted and misrepresented as a via media between Arminian and Reformed theology. A close examination of Davenent's De Morte Christi , is the central core of the study. Lynch offers a detailed exposition of Davenant's doctrine of universal redemption in dialogue with his understanding of closely related doctrines such as God's will, predestination, providence, and covenant theology. He defends the thesis that Davenant's version of hypothetical universalism represents a significant strand of the Augustinian tradition, including the early modern Reformed tradition. The book examines the patristic and medieval periods as they provided the background for the Lutheran, Remonstrant, and Reformed reactions to the so-called Lombardian formula ('Christ died sufficiently for all, effectually for the elect'). It traces how Davenant and his fellow British delegates at the Synod of Dordt shaped the Canons of Dordt in such a way as to allow for their English hypothetical universalism. cover 1 Series 3 John Davenant’s Hypothetical Universalism 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Abbreviations 12 1. Prolegomena 14 1.1 Introduction 14 1.2 Survey of Literature 17 1.3 Definition of Terms 26 1.3.1 The Term “Hypothetical Universalism” 26 1.3.2 Other Terms 30 1.4 Thesis 31 1.5 Outline of Argument 32 2. The Extent of Christ’s Work from the Early Church to Gottschalk 36 2.1 Introduction 36 2.2 Patristic Period 41 2.2.1 Augustinianism, Pelagianism, and Semi-​Pelagianism 42 2.2.2 Faustus, Lucidus, and the Synod of Arles 53 2.3 The Early Medieval Period 54 2.4 Scholasticism and the Lombardian Formula 56 2.5 Conclusion 59 3. The Lombardian Formula in the Sixteenth and Early Seventeenth Century 61 3.1 Introduction 61 3.2 The Early Modern Period and the Lombardian Formula 63 3.2.1 Reformation Period 63 3.2.2 Late Sixteenth-​Century Lutheran and Reformed Polemics 66 3.2.3 Jacob Arminius and William Perkins 71 3.2.4 The Hague Conference of 1611 74 3.3 Conclusion 81 4. John Davenant and the Synod of Dordt 83 4.1 Introduction 83 4.2 English Hypothetical Universalism and the Precursors to the Synod of Dordt 85 4.2.1 James Ussher and the Emergence of English Hypothetical Universalism 87 4.2.2 Bishop Overall’s Via Media 92 4.3 The British Delegation and the Second Main Point of Doctrine 93 4.3.1 The British Suffrage 95 4.3.2 The British Influence on the Formation of the Second Main Doctrine 98 4.4 Conclusion 112 5. John Davenant on the Extent of Christ’s Atoning Work 114 5.1 Introduction 114 5.2 Davenant’s Interlocutors: A Taxonomy of Positions 115 5.3 Contra the Contra-​Remonstrants 120 5.3.1 Universal Cause of Salvation 120 5.3.2 Ordained Sufficiency 126 5.4 Contra the Remonstrants 135 5.4.1 Christ Died Effectually for the Elect Alone 135 5.4.2 Actual Reconciliation and Remission of Sins Conditioned on Faith and Repentance 137 5.4.3 No Obligation to Provide the Means of Application to All 139 5.5 Conclusion 143 6. John Davenant’s Covenant Theology 145 6.1 Introduction 145 6.2 Covenant in John Davenant’s Theology 146 6.2.1 Davenant and the Covenant of Works 147 6.2.2 Davenant, the Covenant of Grace, and the Evangelical Covenant 148 6.2.3 Absolute Covenant 156 6.3 Conclusion 158 7. Davenant on the Will of God and the Divine Decrees 160 7.1 Introduction 160 7.2 General Contours Regarding the Divine Will 162 7.2.1 Voluntas Simplicis Complacentiae 162 7.2.2 Voluntas Providentialis 165 7.2.3 Voluntas Beneplaciti 166 7.3 God’s Will and “For Whom Christ Died” 167 7.4 Conclusion 172 8. Conclusion 174 Notes 176 Bibliography 238 Index 262 "John Davenant's hypothetical universalism has consistently been misinterpreted and misrepresented as a via media between Arminianism and Reformed theology. This study examines Bishop John Davenant's hypothetical universalism in the context of early modern Reformed orthodoxy. In light of the various misunderstandings of early modern hypothetical universalism, including English hypothetical universalism, as well as the paucity of studies touching on the theology of John Davenant in particular, this dissertation: (1) Gives a detailed exposition of Davenant's doctrine of universal redemption in dialogue with his understanding of closely related doctrines such as God's will, predestination, providence, and covenant theology; and (2) defends the thesis that Davenant's version of hypothetical universalism represents a significant strand of the Augustinian tradition, including the early modern Reformed tradition. In service of these two aims, this dissertation examines the patristic and medieval periods as they provide the background for the Lutheran, Remonstrant, and Reformed reactions to the so-called Lombardian formula ("Christ died sufficiently for all; effectually for the elect"). Moreover, it traces how Davenant and his fellow British delegates at the Synod of Dordt shaped the Canons of Dordt in such a way as to allow for their English hypothetical universalism. A careful exposition of the various theses found in Davenant's De Morte Christi makes up the central core of this dissertation. Finally, this study explores Davenant's covenant theology and doctrine of the divine will"-- Provided by publisher Recently there has been a revival of interest in the views held by Reformed theologians within the parameters of confessional orthodoxy. For example, the doctrine known as 'hypothetical universalism'--the idea that although Christ died in some sense for every person, his death was intended to bring about the salvation only for those who were predestined for salvation. Michael Lynch focuses on the hypothetical universalism of the English theologian and bishop John Davenant (1572-1641), arguing that it has consistently been misinterpreted and misrepresented as a via media between Arminian and Reformed theology.A close examination of Davenent's De Morte Christi, is the central core of the study. Lynch offers a detailed exposition of Davenant's doctrine of universal redemption in dialogue with his understanding of closely related doctrines such as God's will, predestination, providence, and covenant theology. He defends the thesis that Davenant's version of hypothetical universalism represents a significant strand of the Augustinian tradition, including the early modern Reformed tradition. The book examines the patristic and medieval periods as they provided the background for the Lutheran, Remonstrant, and Reformed reactions to the so-called Lombardian formula ('Christ died sufficiently for all, effectually for the elect'). It traces how Davenant and his fellow British delegates at the Synod of Dordt shaped the Canons of Dordt in such a way as to allow for their English hypothetical universalism. Michael Lynch argues that the hypothetical universalism of the English theologian and bishop John Davenant (1572-1641) has consistently been misinterpreted and misrepresented as a via media between Arminian and Reformed theology. This book examines Davenant's hypothetical universalism in the context of early modern Reformed orthodoxy. It traces how Davenant and his fellow British delegates at the Synod of Dordt shaped the Canons of Dordt in such a way as to allow for their English hypothetical universalism