Some Questions and Answers about God’s Covenant and the Sacrament That Is a Seal of God’s Covenant

Robert Rollock is best remembered today for the role he played in the development of Reformed covenant theology, a role defined especially by the uniquely mature treatment of a pre-fall covenant of works discovered in his thought. However, scholarship on Rollock’s covenant thought has until now been based almost entirely on an early modern English translation of Rollock’s Tractatus de vocatione efficaci (1597), and has overlooked discussion of the covenant of works found both in Rollock’s 1596 Quaestiones et responsiones aliquot de Foedere Dei, deque Sacramento quod foederis Dei sigillum est and his 1593 Romans commentary. This volume offers the first complete English translation of Rollock’s 1596 catechism as well as English translations of relevant sections from his Romans commentary that deal with the subject of God’s covenants with man. Thus this volume stands to offer students of Reformed covenant theology a better understanding of Rollock’s thought and the contribution he made to the evolution of Reformed theology, particularly on the matter of God’s covenant with humankind before the fall.''Aaron Denlinger brings much-needed light upon Early Modern covenant theology through several previously untranslated treatises by Robert Rollock. Those interested in covenant theology will want to explore this little gem, and anyone who seeks to crystalize their understanding of the works of the first and last Adams will greatly profit. Strong currents of biblical truth flow from Rollock’s pen and rise to the surface through Denlinger’s excellent translation.''--J. V. Fesko, Academic Dean, Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Westminster Seminary California ''A first-class historical theologian and Latinist has translated a first-class sixteenth-century Reformed theologian on the subject of the covenant. Few are better equipped than Dr. Denlinger for opening up to us the goldmine of theology from Robert Rollock. I am thrilled to see this exciting theological work in English.'' --Mark Jones, Minister, Faith Vancouver Presbyterian Church''Too often the story of the development of Reformed theology covers a few major figures in the early to mid-sixteenth century before leapfrogging into the seventeenth century. With this excellent translation and these judicious selections, Aaron Denlinger has done us all a great service by drawing our attention to the sinews that account for the development of orthodox Reformed theology in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.'' --R. Scott Clark, Professor of Church History and Historical Theology, Westminster Seminary California''What a delight to have Robert Rollock’s catechism on the divine covenants in English translation! Denlinger’s presentation of these materials (along with a translation of relevant portions of Rollock’s Romans commentary pertaining to the covenant) brings a fresh portrait to the emergence and growth of Reformed federal theology; and his fine introductory essay reveals new aspects of Scottish covenant theology in particular. This book is a most welcome addition to scholarship treating Robert Rollock and covenant theology.''--J. Mark Beach, Professor of Ministerial and Doctrinal Studies, Mid-America Reformed Seminary; Author of Christ and the Covenant: Francis Turretin’s Federal Theology as a Defense of the Doctrine of GraceAaron Clay Denlinger is Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida, as well as Research Fellow for the Puritan Studies Program of the University of the Free State (Bloemfontein, South Africa).