Francis Turretin’s Thomistic Theology of Natural Law

Abstract

In contrast to much contemporary Reformed and broader evangelical theology, Francis Turretin, the great Genevan theologian of High Orthodoxy, considers natural law in favorable terms, notably under Topic 11 of his Institutes of Elenctic Theology. This essay offers an exposition of Turretin’s account of natural law and compares it to that of Thomas Aquinas. It is shown that there is substantial agreement between Turretin and Aquinas on the notion and content of natural law, despite their different approaches to the subject. This conclusion supports ongoing efforts to reevaluate and reappropriate natural law and Thomism in Reformed theology.