The System of Doctrines, Contained in Divine Revelation.

Samuel Hopkins (1721–1803) was an American theologian and a central figure in the development of New England theology, a branch of Calvinism that evolved from the teachings of Jonathan Edwards. A student of Edwards, Hopkins expanded on his mentor’s ideas, particularly emphasizing the doctrine of disinterested benevolence, which argued that true virtue requires complete selflessness and devotion to God’s will. His most significant work, The System of Doctrines, Contained in Divine Revelation, Explained and Defended (1793), systematically articulated his theological views, including divine sovereignty, human depravity, and moral government theology. Hopkins was also an early advocate for the abolition of slavery, integrating social ethics into his theological framework. His influence extended into 19th-century American evangelicalism, shaping debates on free will, atonement, and moral responsibility.