Description: This book explores key aspects of Richard Hooker's philosophical and theological discourse in the context of currents of thought prevalent in the Magisterial Reformation of the sixteenth century. Hooker's treatment of natural law, his dependence upon the philosophical discourse and traditional cosmology of Christian Neoplatonism, and his appeal to the authority of patristic sources, are all closely examined. Challenging the received 'exceptionalist' model of much of the twentieth-century interpretation of Hooker, in particular the concept of his supposed defence of the English Reformation as striking a 'via media' between Rome and mainstream Protestant Reform, Torrance Kirby argues that Hooker adheres to principles of 'Magisterial' reform while building upon the assumptions of a distinctively Protestant version of Platonism.
Review Quotes: 'It is [...] useful to have so many technical and specialist pieces assembled together in this manner.' Archiv fÃ1/4r Reformationsgeschichte '... Kirby's close reading of Hooker provides a strong confirmation of the revised picture of Richar Hooker that has emerged in scholarly circles over the past two decades.' Anglican and Episcopal History '... a useful unified source for Kirby's important work, otherwise scattered in several place.' Toronto Journal of Theology '... an important addition to the literature on Hooker...' Pro Rege