The <i>Pactum Salutis</i>: A Scriptural Concept or Scholastic Mythology?

Williamson, Paul

doi:10.53751/001c.27693

Tyndale Bulletin

2018

DOI: 10.53751/001c.27693

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The Pactum Salutis: A Scriptural Concept or Scholastic Mythology?

Paul Williamson

Abstract: One of the three foundational covenants Reformed/Covenant theology is built upon is the Pactum Salutis or covenant of redemption. This refers to an intratrinitarian covenantal agreement, purportedly made before the creation of the world, to secure the salvation of God's elect. The theological rationale and exegetical support for such a pretemporal covenant is set out and examined, and it is argued that there are serious exegetical problems with the alleged biblical foundations for such a theological construct.… Show more

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Missio Dei refuting the pactum salutis

Thinane

2023

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies

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The doctrine of pactum salutis has in the past sparked serious theological debate and has often been rejected because of its contradictions with Reformed orthodoxy. Among other early church fathers and theologians, the pactum salutis is found in the writings of Augustine of Hippo, Thomas Aquinas and Martin Luther. This doctrine is closely related to, or possibly overlaps with, the doctrine of predestination, as both involve the belief that God has already determined the object of his salvation. It has been criticised for, among other things, its denial or insufficiency of Trinitarian understanding and its pro-Subordinationist character. The refutation of this doctrine may be warranted, particularly when viewed in the light of contemporary missiology, particularly the Missio Dei perceptions that arose from the 1952 IMC conference in Willingen. As there is little or no research examining the rationality of the pactum salutis on the basis of or in the light of the Missio Dei, this article draws on the available missiological literature to refute its coherence, relevance and authenticity.Contribution: This article made a significant missiological contribution to the field of Christian theology, analysing the validity of pactum salutis against Reformed orthodoxy and consequently rejecting it as incompatible with the objectives of Missio Dei.

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Missio Dei refuting the pactum salutis

Thinane

2023

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies

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Missio Dei through complexity theory: Complexity to total salvation

Thinane

2022

In die Skriflig / In Luce Verbi

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Complexity theory continues to fascinate the academics owing to its capability to describe complex systems holistically. This theory makes it possible to understand a complex system by studying its constituent subsystems. Understanding the missio Dei has become somewhat complex, particularly from the perspective of the 1952 Willingen Conference. This conference emphasised mission as a divine activity embodied in the core missions of the Son (missio Christos) and the Holy Spirit (missio Spiritus). It highlighted that the triune God, and not the church, is the source and centre of the missio Dei. Conversely, missio hominum and missio ecclesiae denote the commissions of human participation in the mission of the triune God. Observably, the complex interaction of these core missions and commissions aimed at attaining salvation as the main objective of the missio Dei. This arguably warrants innovative research to explore the missio Dei as a rather complex phenomenon. Correspondingly, as there seems to be no direct complexity-theoretic study of the missio Dei, this article analyses the literature to propose a complexity-theoretic analysis of the missio Dei. Further research is therefore warranted – first to assess the feasibility of this proposal, and then to further use complexity theory to deepen the understanding of the missio Dei.Contribution: Although the study does not purport to provide a comprehensive understanding of the missio Dei, it will hopefully increase understanding and generate interest in using complexity theory to analyse the missio Dei.

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The Pactum Salutis: A Scriptural Concept or Scholastic Mythology?

Cited by 2 publications

References 1 publication

Missio Dei refuting the pactum salutis

Missio Dei refuting the pactum salutis

Missio Dei through complexity theory: Complexity to total salvation

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