14 September 2015 A.D. Rev. Dr. Prof. Herman Bavinck: Reformed Dogmatics
14 September 2015 A.D. Rev. Dr. Prof. Herman Bavinck: Reformed Dogmatics
Taylor,
Justin. “Herman Bavinck on the Christian Life.” Gospel Coalition. N.d. http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2015/09/14/bavinck-on-the-christian-life/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+between2worlds+%28Between+Two+Worlds%29.
Accessed 15 Sept 2015.
Herman
Bavinck may be the greatest theologian most people have never heard of.
Richard
Gaffin says that Bavinck wrote “arguably the most important systematic theology ever produced in the
Reformed tradition,” and Gaffin finds it the most valuable one of them
all.
J. I. Packer
writes: “Solid but lucid, demanding but satisfying, broad and deep and sharp and
stabilizing, Bavinck’s magisterial Reformed Dogmatics remains after a century
the supreme achievement of its kind.”
John Frame
calls the four-volume Reformed Dogmatics “by far the most
profound and comprehensive Reformed systematic theology of the twentieth
century. The reader will be amazed by Bavinck’s erudition, creativity, and
balance.”
Now the
editor of the four-volume dogmatics—John Bolt—has produced a volume that seeks
to show us what Bavinck lived, believed, and taught about living the Christian
life in Bavinck on the Christian Life: Following Jesus in
Faithful Service (Crossway, 2015), a recent entry in the
Theologians on the Christian Life series.
In a recent
review at TGC, Brian Mattson summarizes the significant of this work:
Coupled with the fact that Bavinck never
finished—much less published—his volume on Reformed ethics, Bolt has achieved a
unique triumph. He has produced the “missing” volume on practical theology
out of Bavinck’s own theological tapestry. And it rings true to its original
source on every page.
Here are some others on
why this book is so helpful:
“To use the word timely
for a book about a nineteenth-century Dutch theologian may seem inappropriate.
But in this case the adjective is exactly right. Many of us have wanted to
spread the word that Herman Bavinck’s theological perspective can contribute
much to a renewal of the church’s life and mission today. Now in this book John
Bolt has made the case in a concise and convincing manner!”
Richard J. Mouw, President, Professor of Christian Philosophy, Fuller
Theological Seminary
“This obvious labor of
love explores an important but insufficiently highlighted aspect of Bavinck’s
thought. Leaving virtually no pertinent stone unturned throughout his life and
published works, Bolt provides both a full presentation of Bavinck’s views and
his own understanding of their continuing relevance for Christian discipleship
today. Here is valuable instruction in Bavinck’s thought presented in a way
that will also stimulate the reader’s own thinking on the issues raised.”
Richard B. Gaffin Jr., Professor of Biblical and
Systematic Theology, Emeritus, Westminster Theological Seminary
“Trinitarian,
Christ-centered, and culturally engaged, Herman Bavinck immerses us into a
vivid vision of the gospel of Jesus Christ. His rich theological imagination
provides a compelling alternative to the many vapid, pragmatic approaches to
faith today. John Bolt provides an accessible and illuminating guide to
Bavinck’s theology of the Christian life in the most expansive sense: the Christian
life of fellowship with God and others, in family, work, and politics. Bolt
skillfully navigates these waters in order to open up the treasures of Bavinck
for today’s church.”
Todd Billings, Gordon H. Girod Research Professor of Reformed Theology,
Western Theological Seminary, Holland, Michigan
“Perhaps every generation
in the church age could claim a need for Bavinck’s perspective on the Christian
life. We can’t let our salt lose its saltiness and our light lose its
brilliance—not now. Bavinck encourages us in this regard even as we are in the
world, not of the world, and sent into the world. In one seamless volume, Bolt
shows how Bavinck’s contributions help correct our nearsightedness as we become
tethered to his conviction that the Word of God is ever living and ever active
in every day.”
Gloria Furman, Pastor’s wife, Redeemer
Church of Dubai; mother of four; author,Glimpses of Grace and Treasuring
Christ When Your Hands Are Full
“Not one square inch of
nature, work, culture, or history escaped the reach of Herman Bavinck’s
expansive Christ-centered worldview. Of the great Reformed theologians, Bavinck
is the generous giant, with a heart as wide as his axiom ‘grace restores
nature.’ Bavinck’s vision of a sovereign Savior at work in the world, carefully
grounded in the gospel, suits him to speak authoritatively on the Christian’s
place in this world. This book is a masterpiece from John Bolt, a man who knows
Bavinck’s mind as well as anyone.”
Tony Reinke, Staff Writer and
Researcher, desiringGod.org; author, Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books
“Never before have I read
such a fine and stimulating overview of Herman Bavinck’s life and theology.
John Bolt shows clearly why the study of Bavinck is growing worldwide and why
this theology is a great help for today’s Christians. Bavinck and Bolt are a
great team!”
Herman Selderhuis, Professor of Church
History, Theological University of Apeldoorn; Director, Refo500, The
Netherlands
“Bolt’s portrait of Bavinck and his theology
captures the man himself: clear, elegant, biblically saturated, theologically
rich, philosophically nuanced, irenic, and aimed at the Christian life. Drawing
on a diversity of sources, Bolt not only brings the riches of Bavinck’s mature
theology into conversation with current theological concerns, but also applies
it to the most practical elements of faith, marriage, family, work, and
culture. He ably introduces readers to Bavinck’s vision of the Christian life
as part of God’s movement of grace restoring nature and a cosmic redemption aimed
at restoring and elevating creation to its intended goal. Most of all, it is a
vision of following Jesus out into the world as the Father conforms his
children into the image of the Son in the power of the Spirit for the sake of
his glorious name.”
Derek Rishmawy, Director of College and
Young Adult Ministries, Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Santa Ana,
California
For more information on
the series, go here.
·
William Edgar, Schaeffer on the Christian Life: Countercultural
Spirituality
·
Stephen J. Nichols, Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life: From the Cross, for the
World
·
Fred Sanders, Wesley on the Christian Life: The Heart Renewed in
Love
·
Michael Horton, Calvin on the Christian Life: Glorifying and Enjoying God
Forever
·
Dane Ortlund, Edwards on the Christian Life: Alive to the Beauty of God
·
Carl Trueman, Luther on the Christian Life: Cross and Freedom
·
Tony Reinke, Newton on the Christian Life: To Live Is Christ
·
John Bolt, Bavinck on the Christian Life: Following Jesus in
Faithful Service (August)
Here are the
volumes coming later this year:
·
Michael A.G. Haykin and Matthew Barrett, Owen on the Christian Life: Living for the Glory of God
in Christ (September)
·
Gerald Bray, Augustine on the Christian Life: Transformed by the Power
of God (October)
·
And here are
volumes coming after that:
·
Michael Reeves, Spurgeon on the
Christian Life
·
Jason Meyer, Lloyd-Jones on the
Christian Life
·
Derek Thomas, Bunyan on the Christian
Life
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