Grotius and Socinianism

In this article I will discuss the position of this anti-Socinian tract of Grotius within the context of his early writings, as well as its reception. In due course it will become evident that the opinion of the modern editor of this text that De satisfactione is essential a work in theology is misguided. Not only does Grotius take issue with the deeper dimensions of Dutch theological politics, but also we do find here the origins of that radical Grotian politics that one is now wont to identify with radical Enlightenment. In a restricted sense the issue at hand is that of the nature of punishment.