The 17th-century Johannes Hoornbeeck’s views on mission, ecumenism and historical theology and its current relevance

Abstract

In this second article (cf. Hofmeyr 2016), like the previous one, I would like to introduce Johannes Hoornbeeck and the Further   Reformation, besides other goals, to the AngloSaxon world. This article focuses primarily on the 17thcentury theologian Johannes   Hoornbeeck and some of his views within the context of the Further Reformation. I address the issue related to an analysis of  Hoornbeeck’s contributions as a missiologist, a theologian with a clear ecumenical and irenical orientation, and a historical theologian. In  my opinion, he can be regarded as the second most prominent theologian, besides Gisbertus Voetius. In some respects, Hoornbeeck  even surpasses him. This critical overview also focuses on the Further Reformation as an ecclesiastical and theological development.