Ruzie over de antichrist. Cornelis Uythage (ca. 1640–1686) als geleerde querulant

Abstract

Arguing about Antichrist. Cornelis Uythage’s (about 1640–1686) scholarly provocationsIn 1666, the now forgotten Leiden scholar Cornelis Uythage published his book Anti-Christus Mahometes, wherein he argued that Mohammed was the grand Antichrist. This led to a vehement quarrel with the Leiden Church council, who accused him of dissenting from the Reformed position that the Pope was the Antichrist. Uythage had a talent for provocation. Both at his philosophical and theological promotions, in 1662 and 1663 respectively, he wilfully challenged established authorities; his theological promotion caused a huge uproar. The provocative stance he showed throughout his career is in line with the fierce ecclesiastical and philosophical disputes at the time. As a scholar, however, Uythage was behind the times. He appears to have been moved by a spirit of contradiction rather than by any real concerns. Since he did not have any philosophical or political program, in the end his protests could be easily neutralized.