The popularization of federal theology : conscience and covenant in the theology of David Dickson (1583-1663) and James Durham (1622-1658)
This thesis aims to examine the lives and works of David Dickson and James Durham in order to obtain an accurate picture of their particular sort of federal theology. It also aims to investigate their role in the establishment of Scottish federal Presbyterianism. The conclusion is that Dickson and Durham, by means of their influential position and work at a critical time in the Scottish church's history, played significant roles in the shaping of Scottish federalism in its presbyterian form. Further, those roles are best defined by their participation in the popularisation of federal theology through the use of the doctrine of conscience. The thesis begins by considering the origins of federal theology, as well as the development of that theology in the Scottish context. The Scottish socio-political context is also reviewed. These pursuits provide an understanding of the theological tradition to which Dickson and Durham belonged, and also establish a framework against which their theology can be judged. The thesis then turns to a consideration of the life and work of David Dickson. Biographical information is presented in order to attain greater understanding of his works, and a brief description of all of
Holsteen, Nathan D.
Covenants
The popularization of federal theology : conscience and covenant in the theology of David Dickson (1583-1663) and James Durham (1622-1658). This thesis aims to examine the lives and works of David Dickson and James Durham in order to obtain an accurate picture of their particular sort of federal theology. It also aims to investigate their role in the establishment of Scottish federal Presbyterianism. The conclusion is that Dickson and Durham, by means of their influential position and work at a critical time in the Scottish church's history, played significant roles in the shaping of Scottish federalism in its presbyterian form. Further, those roles are best defined by their participation in the popularisation of federal theology through the use of the doctrine of conscience. The thesis begins by considering the origins of federal theology, as well as the development of that theology in the Scottish context. The Scottish socio-political context is also reviewed. These pursuits provide an understanding of the theological tradition to which Dickson and Durham belonged, and also establish a framework against which their theology can be judged. The thesis then turns to a consideration of the life and work of David Dickson. Biographical information is presented in order to attain greater understanding of his works, and a brief description of all of
federal theology conscience covenant theology james durham aim_examine live_work james durham order_obtain accurate_picture particular sort federal theology also aim_investigate role establishment scottish federal presbyterianism conclusion durham mean influential position work critical time scottish_church history play_significant role_shape scottish federalism presbyterian form roles best define participation popularisation federal theology use doctrine conscience begin_consider origins federal theology well development theology scottish_context scottish socio_political context also_review pursuit provide theological tradition durham belong also establish framework theology judge turn consideration life_work biographical_information present order attain great work brief description