God's Order and Natural Law

by Mackenzie, Iain M.

• ISBN13: 9780754608431
• ISBN10: 0754608433
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-08-01
• Publisher: Ashgate Pub Ltd

Summary

This book fills an important gap in the theological interpretation of the Laudian divines. Iain MacKenzie presents the theology of the Anglican theologians of the early 17th century, exploring the concept of order first in God but then in creation in its relation to the Creator, and then examining the working out of this concept based in theology in civil and ecclesiastical structures and practice. Mapping the Laudian divines' perceptions of how order primarily and necessarily resides in God existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, this book sets out the essential and necessarily practical application of theology as seen by 17th century theologians, and traces the legacy which they have left. This theological, as opposed to a merely historical or literary, study of this important period for the development of society, will be of particular value to theologians, historians and those concerned with the intellectual history of the 17th century.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Introduction	1	(18)
The Concept of Order Generally Accepted	19	(6)
Order and Theological Method	25	(12)
Order, Creator and Creation	37	(14)
Order, Knowledge and the Rationality of Man	51	(8)
Order, Monarchy and the One Body Politic	59	(10)
Order, the Rule and Law of Man and the Rule and Law of God	69	(14)
Order, Monarchy, Parliament and Church	83	(16)
Order, Uniformity, Preaching and Sacraments	99	(16)
Order, Natural Calamities and Evil	115	(8)
Order and the Nature of Political Unrest	123	(10)
Order: The Knowledge and Being of God and Humanity	133	(8)
Order: The Holy Spirit and the Centre of Human Existence	141	(18)
Order: The Spirit's Gifts and the Relation of Existences	159	(14)
Epilogue	173	(6)
Appendix A Principal Seventeenth-century Authors Quoted	179	(4)
Appendix B Note on John Swan	183	(6)
Bibliography	189	(4)
Index	193