Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 36:1 (Fall 1973)
Article: Zanchius On Saving Faith
Author: Norman P. Shepherd

WTJ 36:1 (Fall 1973) p. 31

Zanchius On Saving Faith

Norman Shepherd

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries there were several Italian scholars who made valuable and lasting contributions to the progress of Reformed theology. The best known of these is Francis Turrettin whose major theological work served as the basis for instruction in systematic theology at Princeton Theological Seminary prior to the publication of Charles Hodge’s three volumes in 1871–1872. Less well known, but by no means a minor figure is Girolamo Zanchi (Zanchius) whose collected works fill three large folio volumes, very little of which has been translated into English. If Zanchi is known at all, it is usually for his elaboration of the doctrines of predestination and the perseverance of the saints.

Zanchi was born in 1516, and after his expulsion from Italy because of his adherence to the Reformation cause, he labored in Strassburg where he came into conflict with the Lutheran, Marbach, on several points of doctrine, but especially with reference to perseverance.1 Eventually he was called to Heidelberg (1568) where he succeeded Ursin in delivering the regular course of theological lectures, thereby relieving the overworked chief author of the Heldelberg Catechism for concentration on other aspects of his duties. When in 1576 Heidelberg was forced to revert to Lutheranism for a brief period, Zanchi went with several of his colleagues to Neustadt, some 25 miles distant, where he continued to teach. He died in Heidelberg in 1590 while visiting the city after the restoration of the Reformed faith.

Attention has once again been drawn to the theological sig-

WTJ 36:1 (Fall 1973) p. 32

nificance of Zanchi in a study by Otto Gründler dealing with his doctrine of God and its significance for his doctrine of predestination.2 This study, published in German, was earlier submitted in English to the faculty of Princeton Theological Seminary as a doctoral dissertation under the title, Thomism and Calvinism in the Theology of Girolamo Zanchi (1516–1590).3 The English title suggests the thesis Gründler is seeking to establish, namely, that the theology of Calvin represents a distinct break from the Aristotelian Thomism of Roman Catholic theology which preceded him, but that Zanchi represents a reversion to Thomism and therefore a significant turning point in the transition from Reformation to decadent orthodoxy in Reformed theology. Gründler seeks to establish his thesis by comparing Zanchi with Calvin on the doctrines of God, providence, and predestination, and by comparing both with Thomas Aquinas.