The Reformed Orthodox were entirely correct to discern a fundamental threat and challenge in the spread of Cartesianism, especially as regards the relation of philosophy and theology.

But it’s hard to read about their responses without sadness. “Whatever reason brings out of its stinking heaps must be subordinate to the word of God and be measured by it as its touchstone but not opposed to it,” says Arnoldus. Quite true, all of it. But how long can people be told that their every thought arises from “stinking heaps” before they tire of it? And where is the profound humanism of Augustine, who was able to hold together a profound awe at the possibilities of the human mind with unprecedented recognition of its corruption?

Klaus Scholder says that the responses to Cartesianism arose from fear, including a fear of those “bold enough to raise questions where orthodoxy did not seem to allow any.” Pejoratively phrased, of course; but not unjustified. But where does this fear come from? Fear of questions ? How did theologians become fearful of questions?

And, again, where is Augustine, who wrote entire books in the interrogative?