We welcome David Noe and Chad Van Dixhoorn to discuss the first volume in Reformation Heritage Books’ new edition of The Works of Samuel Rutherford: Arminianism: A Systematic and Theological Response. Noe translated the work from Latin, while Van Dixhoorn serves as general editor of the series and edited and introduced this volume.
The conversation explores Rutherford’s significance as a leading theologian of seventeenth-century Scotland and a commissioner to the Westminster Assembly. Rather than treating Arminianism as merely five disputed points of salvation, Rutherford examines it as a theological system reaching into the doctrine of God, divine simplicity, providence, human freedom, ecclesiology, and the sacraments. The guests also discuss the challenges of translating scholastic Latin, recovering manuscripts, correcting citations, and preparing a projected twenty-volume edition.
Learn more at reformedforum.org/ctc969.
Chapters
- 0:00 Introduction
- 2:08 David Noe joins the conversation
- 5:45 Translation projects and Calvin’s Latin Bible
- 12:41 Reformed worship and the declaration of pardon
- 15:29 The Works of Samuel Rutherford, Volume 1
- 17:47 A twenty-volume publishing project
- 22:22 Samuel Rutherford and the Westminster Assembly
- 23:54 Why Rutherford addressed Arminianism
- 27:54 Why the book is more than an “examination”
- 30:23 Arminianism as a theological system
- 31:58 Divine simplicity and the doctrine of God
- 33:56 Middle knowledge, freedom, and providence
- 36:03 Rutherford’s pastoral and rhetorical power
- 41:57 Ecclesiology, sacraments, and scholastic method
- 45:02 The craft and challenges of translation
- 49:16 Difficult texts and inaccurate citations
- 54:38 A second manuscript enters the project
- 56:04 Translating Homer and the meaning of polytropos
- 60:16 How to read Rutherford fruitfully
- 62:55 Chad Van Dixhoorn joins the conversation
- 63:19 Rutherford’s stature in Scottish theology
- 66:10 Arminianism involves more than five points
- 68:20 The origins and scope of the Rutherford series
- 70:38 The search for unpublished letters and sermons
- 73:35 Rutherford’s final years and posthumous legacy
- 76:59 Assessing Rutherford’s polemical judgments
- 82:02 Why the volume remains valuable today
- 83:30 What is next for the series
- 85:02 Conclusion
Mentioned in this episode:
Join Us In Person: Four Upcoming Reformed Forum Events
Before today's episode, Camden Bucey shares four opportunities to gather with Reformed Forum in person over the coming months:
Apologetics and Evangelism Seminar — August 4–5, 2026, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Taylors, SC. Camden Bucey and Carlton Wynne lecture on apologetics and evangelism for the pastor at the GPTS Summer Seminar. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/apologetics-and-evangelism-seminar-greenville-sc/
Discovering Christ in All of Scripture — August 28–29, 2026, Cahaba Park Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL. A Friday evening and Saturday morning seminar exploring how every part of Scripture reveals God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/birmingham-alabama-seminar/
2026 Annual Theology Conference — September 25–26, 2026, Lakeland Church, Gurnee, IL. The Covenant of Grace: One Savior, One People, One Purpose, featuring Dr. G. K. Beale. Early-bird pricing ends August 31. Register: https://rf26.reformedforum.org/
Christ the Center 1000th Episode Celebration — February 19–20, 2027, Hilton Austin, Austin, TX. A live recording of episode 1,000, a shared dinner, and conversations with longtime friends of the ministry. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/christ-the-center-1000th-episode-celebration/
Seats are limited — register today at https://reformedforum.org/events
