The Primacy Of Scripture In Peter Martyr Vermigli’S Understanding Of Theological Education

Abstract

In the last fifty years Peter Martyr Vermigli, as many other of the 'Reformers in the Wings', has been the object of an increasing number of in-depth studies. In re-considering the sources perhaps it might be best to refrain from giving one title to Vermigli, but consider him, within certain bounds, as an eclectic thinker. Indeed, even the titles 'Reformed humanist', 'intensified Augustinian', or 'Protestant scholastic' each need serious qualification. Something about these titles is undoubtedly true, but each can certainly not be given a blanket definition which applies to the whole of Vermigli's theology. What we see in Vermigli rather is a man who defines easy classification and who gives no evidence that his theological thought has tensions. The present topic, theological education, provides an interesting case study to examine the complexities of this important debate. Keywords: Peter Martyr Vermigli; Reformed humanist; theological education