When did Arminius begin his Private Disputations?
In the book, "God, Creation, and Providence in the Thought of Jacob Arminius," -Published in 1991- Richard Muller seems to suggest that Arminius began his private disputations during his professorial years (1603-1609). This is supported by Bangs as well, and as such, Mullers explanation seems to stem from Bangs' conclusions. Muller writes:
"As Bangs indicates, James Nichols' hypothesis of the early origin of the private disputations (1599ff), during Arminius' pastorate in Amsterdam, is surely incorrect." (pg. 50-51)
Further, Richard Muller even states that Arminius's private disputations were probably written second, if not paralleled to his public disputations.
Fortunately, because of the work done by W. Stephen Gunter and Stuart Clarke we have enough proof to reject certain aspects of Mullers' claim. At the very least, there is enough evidence to show that parts of Arminius's private disputations were written prior to his professorial appointment in 1603---and therefore a prolegomenon for the Christian faith was on Arminius's mind a lot earlier than what Muller suggests.
As Gunter documents for us:
"Based on Arminius’ correspondence with Uytenbogaert, Clarke makes the case that previous scholars were wrong when they assumed that the “Private Disputations” were begun during his Leiden years, perhaps even as late as 1607. This issue is potentially much more than simply a matter of correcting chronologies. In 1599 Arminius wrote to the trusted Uytenbogaert:
I am engaging in constructing an order for a Synopsis of Common Places in Divinity; I have determined to re-read all the ancient and modern divines which are at hand and which can be obtained. … I am making a beginning with the Doctrine of God, who is first in order and dignity in theology. In this I shall consider both nature and persons. (Letter to Uytenbogaert, Feb. 15th, 1599)
He notes shortly thereafter in a letter to Uytenbogaert, dated June 10, that he is including a brief overview of his Synopsis. This early dating of the theological formulations foundational to the “Private Disputations” means at the very least that Arminius the pastor was composing formal, systematic theological compositions for several years prior to his arrival as a professor at Leiden."
-W. Stephen Gunter, Arminius and His Declaration of Sentiments: An Annotated Translation with Introduction and Theological Commentary, pg. 162-163.
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