The theological teaching of Dr. Daniel Waterland (1683-1740), Master of Magdalene College

Abstract

Most of the articles in the ten volumes of Waterland's collected works either expound or are directly related to his two principal themes: the Eucharist and the Trinity, and I have largely limited myself to the treatment of these doctrines. He also deals with the doctrines of Justification and Regeneration but writes only two short articles, one of thirty pages and the other of thirty-four and it is plain that he did not feel called to take it upon himself to expound these doctrines as he did the other two. I have given a short account of his views in chapter II.

waterland was firm in his refusal to forsake the writings of the Fathers as being the "best means of determining the correct interpretation of the Scripture but he always regarded them as secondary evidence and never bases his case solely upon their testimony. Because it requires greater knowledge of patristics than my own to conclude, with any authority, which side has correctly understood the Fathers, and in the interest of conciseness, since very lengthy discussions persistently develop whenever the early writings are cited, with Waterland's opponents challenging his use of them with voluminous quotations of their own, I have devoted my attention chiefly to the evidence found in his use of Scripture and logic.