Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Doctrine of Justifying Faith Outline

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Thesis I:  The reception of the Mediator.

Thesis II:  Things to be considered in the reception.

Thesis III:  The Instrument.

Thesis IV:  Faith is defined.

Explanation:  1.  Faith, saving and justifying.  2.  Faith historical, temporary, and of miracles.  * 3.  Requirements of a miracle properly so called:  a definition of the same.  4.  Properties of justifying faith, whereby it is distinguished from temporary faith.

Thesis V:  Things to be considered in justifying faith.

Thesis VI:  The efficient, principal, impulsive, meritorious, instrumental.

Explanation:  1.  The principal efficient is proven out of Scripture.  2.  The instrument of faith, the word of God.  3.  The reason why only some believe.  4.  The reason according to the Lutherans.  [Arguments inciting to belief.]  5.  The meritorious cause, the merit of Christ.

Thesis VII:  The matter.

Thesis VIII:  The matter in which.

Explanation:  1.  It is proven, that justifying faith is proper to the elect.  2.  The contrary arguments of the Lutherans and Papists are refuted.  3.  That faith inheres, not in the intellect alone, but also in the will.  [4.  The contrary argument of Bellarmine is refuted.  5.  Concerning the faith of infants.]  * 6.  Whether there was faith in the soul of Christ also?  The question is distinguished.

Thesis IX:  The matter around which.

Thesis X:  The common object of faith.

Explanation:  The material and formal object of faith.

Thesis XI:  The proper object.

Explanation:  1.  It is proven that the proper object of justifying faith is Christ, crucified for us:  or special mercy.  2.  The contrary arguments of the Papists are refuted.  3.  The contrary arguments of the Socinians are refuted.

Thesis XII:  The form of faith.

Explanation:  * The difference between to believe in God, to believe God, to believe upon God.

Thesis XIII:  Knowledge.

Explanation:  1.  Whence the knowledge of faith.  2.  It is proven, that true faith is not without knowledge.  3.  The contrary arguments of the Papists are refuted.  4.  There is to be explicit and implicit belief.

Thesis XIV:  Assent.

Thesis XV:  Trust.

Explanation:  1.  It is proven, that faith is trust.  2.  The contrary arguments of the Papists are refuted.  3.  A more refined note on faith.

Thesis XVI:  The end.

Explanation:  [The end is proven from Scripture].

Thesis XVII:  The effects.

Explanation:  1.  How all good works are attributed to faith.  [2.  Faith makes future and absent things present to itself.  3.  No distance of places hinders faith.]

Thesis XVIII:  The adjuncts of faith.

Explanation:  1.  It is proven, that justifying faith is always conjoined with love.  2.  The contrary arguments of the Papists are refuted.  3.  It is proven, that justifying faith is never totally lost.  4.  The contrary arguments of the Papists and Lutherans are refuted.  5.  It is proven, that individual believers are able to be certain of their faith.  6.  The contrary argument of the Papists is refuted.  7.  Concerning the temptations of faith.  8.  Concerning its external profession.  [It is proven, that no one with a safe conscience is able to be present at condemned worship.]  * 9.  In addition to saving faith in Christ, there is not any other saving faith outside of Christ.