Owen Calls Turretin Unorthodox?

**py3ak** · #1 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 11:11 AM

The Owen in question, of course, is not the John Owen who was a colleague of Thomas Goodwin, but the vicar of Thrussington who translated Calvin's commentary on Romans. He says this, after speaking very highly of the commentary of Pareus:

Quote:

The next work that requires particular notice is that of Turrettin, a Professor of Theology in the University of Geneva. It was published about the commencement of the last century; the author died in the year 1737. The doctrine of Calvin had somewhat degenerated in his time, though his work on the whole takes the side of orthodoxy. It yet shows a leaning to those views, which commonly issue in sentiments subversive of the essentials of true Christianity.
[Then he talks about some other commentaries, and mentions Moses Stuart, Albert Barnes and Charles Hodge]
The two first seem, in some instances, like Turrettin, to deviate somewhat from what may be considered strict orthodoxy, at least in their mode of explaining some subjects: the last is liable to no charge of this kind.

So here is the riddle: in what ways has Turretin declined from Calvin and been followed by Stuart and Barnes, but not by Hodge? Or if Owen mistakenly thought there had been such a decline, where did the misapprehension lie on his part?

CarlosOliveira · #2 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 11:55 AM

Probably the reference is to Jean Alphonse Turretin (1671-1737), Francis Turretin's son. Jean Alphonse suceeded his father in the pastoral and teaching positions at Geneva but contrary to his father, he worked to remove the scholastic Calvinist standards.

Jean_Alphonse_Turretin

**py3ak** · #3 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 03:39 PM

Yes, the date of death undoubtedly fixes it as being Jean Alphonse. Thanks, Carlos.