De daad van een bedelaar. De functie van het geloof in relatie tot de rechtvaardiging bij Theodorus van der Groe (1705-1784) en Alexander Comrie (1706-1774)

Samenvatting

This article compares two Dutch reformed theologians from the eighteenth century, Theodorus van der Groe (1705-1784) and Alexander Comrie (1706-1774), in order to investigate the role of faith in justification from four perspectives: What faith is not in its relationship to justification? What is faith in its relationship to justification? What is the efficient cause of faith? What is the role of faith in justification?
The examination of Vander Groe and Comrie discloses that they refuse to speak about faith as a work, deed, or condition because that would contradict reformed orthodoxy, but that at the same time speak freely about faith as a receiving and appropriating act. This creates an intriguing tension between faith as an act in justifying faith and faith as an efficient cause of justification. Using scholastic distinctions and the example of a beggar who receives justifcation in his empty hands, Vander Groe and Comrie attempt to clarify their views, but the tension is not easily resolved.