Date

4-18-2025

Department

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD)

Chair

William Skiles

Keywords

William Perkins, Roman Catholic Church, polemics, hermeneutics, soteriology, Lord's Supper, Fasting

Disciplines

History

Abstract

This dissertation covers the polemical relationship that William Perkins had with the Roman Catholic Church. It includes showing how Perkins used his writings and scripture to defend the biblical practices of the Church of England and the Puritans when it came to the practices covered in the dissertation. It provides the reader with the necessary background to understand the life, works, and ministry of William Perkins. There is a treatment of the historiography of the works produced on William Perkins and critical works pertaining to the Puritan Movement. Perkins wrote using polemical language to warn the members of the Church of England of the false doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church in the areas of Hermeneutics, Soteriology, The Lord’s Supper and Fasting because he believed the Roman Catholic Church was a false church. When it comes to the issue of hermeneutics, William Perkins defended his literal method of interpretation against the fourfold method that the Roman Catholic Church utilized. When it comes to the issue of soteriology, Perkins defended his view of original sin, ordo salutis, predestination and salvation. Perkins defended his view of the Lord’s Supper over against the Roman Catholic view of the Lord’s Supper. Then he defended the practice of fasting against the false practices of the Roman Catholic Church.

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