Campeius Vitringa
Encyclopedia
Campegius Vitringa Sr., or Kempe Vitringa (born at Leeuwarden, May 16, 1659; died at Franeker
, March 31, 1722) was a Dutch Protestant theologian and Hebraist
. His youngest of four children was Campeius Vitringa (1693-1723).
Vitringa, a follower of Johannes Cocceius
, was a supporter of prophetic theology. He was educated at the universities of Franeker
and Leiden
, and became professor of Oriental languages at the former in 1681. When locating prophetic outcomes, he would associate events to the near rather than the far-off future, placing a distinct focus on the period of the Maccabees
(2nd Century BC). Like Joseph Mede
(1586-1638), Vitringa believed wholeheartedly that the Millennium
was yet to come, but did not expect any immediate changes. He relegated the end of the time to a remote future and strongly emphasized the concept of New Jerusalem
. His most important student is considered Herman Venema (1697-1787), who was a theology professor at Franeker.
Vitringa’s two chief works are his dissertation on the synagogue, De Synagoga Vetere Libri Tres (Franeker, 1685; 2d ed. 1696); and his Commentary on Isaiah (Leeuwarden, 1714-20), which was frequently republished in the eighteenth century. The latter was up to the time of Gesenius the most considerable contribution to the exegesis
of Isaiah
. His other works include, Sacrarum Observationum Libri Sex (Franeker, 1683-1708) and Anacrisis Apocalypseos Joannis Apostoli (1705).
(1586-1638). Vitringa’s work was regarded the first major study to analyze the Book of Revelation
as a structured chronological outline of the history of the Christian church. His interpretation of the Apocalypse was that of a coded description of the history of the New Testament Church. Though Vitringa had integrated the historical method
of Hugo Grotius
in past work, he rejected the view of Grotius and Bossuet
that associated John’s visions exclusively to early Christendom
.
Franeker
Franeker is one of the eleven historical cities of Friesland and capital of the municipality of Franekeradeel. It is located about 20 km west of Leeuwarden on the Van Harinxma Canal. As of 1 January 2006, it had 12,996 inhabitants. The city is famous for the Eisinga Planetarium from around...
, March 31, 1722) was a Dutch Protestant theologian and Hebraist
Hebraist
A Hebraist is a specialist in Hebrew and Hebraic studies. Specifically, British and German scholars of the 18th and 19th centuries who were involved in the study of Hebrew language and literature were commonly known by this designation, at a time when Hebrew was little understood outside practicing...
. His youngest of four children was Campeius Vitringa (1693-1723).
Vitringa, a follower of Johannes Cocceius
Johannes Cocceius
Johannes Cocceius , Dutch theologian, was born at Bremen.-Life:After studying at Hamburg and the University of Franeker, where Sixtinus Amama was one of his teachers, he became in 1630 professor of biblical philology at the Gymnasium illustre in his native town...
, was a supporter of prophetic theology. He was educated at the universities of Franeker
University of Franeker
The University of Franeker was a university in Franeker, Friesland, presently part of the Netherlands. It was the second oldest university of the Netherlands, founded shortly after Leiden University....
and Leiden
Leiden University
Leiden University , located in the city of Leiden, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university was founded in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt in the Eighty Years' War. The royal Dutch House of Orange-Nassau and Leiden University still have a close...
, and became professor of Oriental languages at the former in 1681. When locating prophetic outcomes, he would associate events to the near rather than the far-off future, placing a distinct focus on the period of the Maccabees
Maccabees
The Maccabees were a Jewish rebel army who took control of Judea, which had been a client state of the Seleucid Empire. They founded the Hasmonean dynasty, which ruled from 164 BCE to 63 BCE, reasserting the Jewish religion, expanding the boundaries of the Land of Israel and reducing the influence...
(2nd Century BC). Like Joseph Mede
Joseph Mede
Joseph Mede was an English scholar with a wide range of interests. He was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he became a Fellow from 1613. He is now remembered as a biblical scholar. He was also a naturalist and Egyptologist...
(1586-1638), Vitringa believed wholeheartedly that the Millennium
Millenarianism
Millenarianism is the belief by a religious, social, or political group or movement in a coming major transformation of society, after which all things will be changed, based on a one-thousand-year cycle. The term is more generically used to refer to any belief centered around 1000 year intervals...
was yet to come, but did not expect any immediate changes. He relegated the end of the time to a remote future and strongly emphasized the concept of New Jerusalem
New Jerusalem
In the book of Ezekiel, the Prophecy of New Jerusalem is Ezekiel's prophetic vision of a city to be established to the south of the Temple Mount that will be inhabited by the twelve tribes of Israel in the...
. His most important student is considered Herman Venema (1697-1787), who was a theology professor at Franeker.
Vitringa’s two chief works are his dissertation on the synagogue, De Synagoga Vetere Libri Tres (Franeker, 1685; 2d ed. 1696); and his Commentary on Isaiah (Leeuwarden, 1714-20), which was frequently republished in the eighteenth century. The latter was up to the time of Gesenius the most considerable contribution to the exegesis
Exegesis
Exegesis is a critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially a religious text. Traditionally the term was used primarily for exegesis of the Bible; however, in contemporary usage it has broadened to mean a critical explanation of any text, and the term "Biblical exegesis" is used...
of Isaiah
Isaiah
Isaiah ; Greek: ', Ēsaïās ; "Yahu is salvation") was a prophet in the 8th-century BC Kingdom of Judah.Jews and Christians consider the Book of Isaiah a part of their Biblical canon; he is the first listed of the neviim akharonim, the later prophets. Many of the New Testament teachings of Jesus...
. His other works include, Sacrarum Observationum Libri Sex (Franeker, 1683-1708) and Anacrisis Apocalypseos Joannis Apostoli (1705).
Anacrisis Apocalypseos
Vitringa’s most notable work was that of Anacrisis Apocalypseos Joannis Apostoli (1705), which was considered a major event, in the history of prophetic theology at the turn of the 18th century. He drew extensively on the Clavis Apocalyptica (1627), by Joseph MedeJoseph Mede
Joseph Mede was an English scholar with a wide range of interests. He was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he became a Fellow from 1613. He is now remembered as a biblical scholar. He was also a naturalist and Egyptologist...
(1586-1638). Vitringa’s work was regarded the first major study to analyze the Book of Revelation
Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation"...
as a structured chronological outline of the history of the Christian church. His interpretation of the Apocalypse was that of a coded description of the history of the New Testament Church. Though Vitringa had integrated the historical method
Historicism
Historicism is a mode of thinking that assigns a central and basic significance to a specific context, such as historical period, geographical place and local culture. As such it is in contrast to individualist theories of knowledges such as empiricism and rationalism, which neglect the role of...
of Hugo Grotius
Hugo Grotius
Hugo Grotius , also known as Huig de Groot, Hugo Grocio or Hugo de Groot, was a jurist in the Dutch Republic. With Francisco de Vitoria and Alberico Gentili he laid the foundations for international law, based on natural law...
in past work, he rejected the view of Grotius and Bossuet
Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet
Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet was a French bishop and theologian, renowned for his sermons and other addresses. He has been considered by many to be one of the most brilliant orators of all time and a masterly French stylist....
that associated John’s visions exclusively to early Christendom
Christendom
Christendom, or the Christian world, has several meanings. In a cultural sense it refers to the worldwide community of Christians, adherents of Christianity...
.