Biblical Archaeology
Overview
Biblical Archaeology draws from Berkhof’s own teaching and research experience. Although he first designed this volume for classroom use, it gained wide recognition outside academic circles. In addition to the text of the Bible itself, this volume incorporates and makes accessible the texts of Josephus, Philo, and various rabbinical tracts, along with other secondary literature. Berkhof avoids technical terminology.
Biblical Archaeology is divided into three parts. He begins with a geographical guide to Palestine, including an introduction to the climate, topography, political divisions, and the adjoining regions, such as Syria, Egypt, Arabia, Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome. The second part of Biblical Archaeology describes the social and cultural context of the people and places of the Bible, such as familial structure, trade and commerce, art and science, government and military, and various other institutions. This book concludes with a descriptive account of religious practices, including the holy sites, religious seasons, festivals, and rituals. This book also contains detailed bibliographies for further reading and research.
Product Details
- Title: Biblical Archaeology
- Author: Louis Berkhof
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Publication Date: 1915
- Pages: 180
About Louis Berkhof
Louis Berkhof was born in 1873 in the Netherlands, and immigrated with his family to West Michigan in 1882. In 1893, he began attending the Theological School of the Christian Reformed Church (now Calvin Theological Seminary), where he studied under Hendericus Beuker and was influenced by the writings of Abraham Kuyper and Herman Bavinck. Berkhof graduated from Calvin Theological Seminary in 1900 and became the pastor of First Christian Reformed Church in Allendale, Michigan. He attended Princeton Theological Seminary from 1902 to 1904, where he studied under B.B. Warfield and Geerhardus Vos. H. Henry Meeter, a friend of Berkhof, remarked that “Berkhof frequently said that he owed more to Vos than anyone else for his insights into Reformed theology” (Reformed Theology in America, 156).
Berkfhof returned to Michigan in 1904 and became pastor of Oakdale Park Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids. In 1906, he was appointed professor of exegetical theology at Calvin Theological Seminary, and in 1926, became professor of dogmatic theology. He also delivered the Stone Lectures at Princeton in 1921. On September 9, 1931, Berkhof became president of Calvin Theological Seminary, where he served until his retirement in 1944. During his lifetime, he wrote prolifically, including numerous volumes on theology, social issues, politics, education, and missions. In addition to his books, he also published countless articles in Reformed periodicals, such as The Banner, De Wachter, and the Calvin Forum. He also served as the first president of the Reformed Ecumenical Synod in 1946.
Louis Berkhof died in 1957.
Sample Pages from the Print Edition
- Title: Biblical Archaeology
- Author: Louis Berkhof
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Print Publication Date: 1915
- Logos Release Date: 2009
- Era: era:modern
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Palestine › Social life and customs; Bible › Antiquities
- Resource ID: LLS:BABERKHOF
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-12T07:44:58Z
Louis Berkhof (1873–1957) was a Reformed theologian whose works remain highly influential. He taught at at Calvin Theological Seminary from 1906 and served as its president from 1931–1944.
Berkhof’s writings, including his Systematic Theology, presented Reformed thought in the tradition of John Calvin, Abraham Kuyper, and Herman Bavinck. Throughout his tenure at Calvin, he stressed the importance of orthodoxy, a focus shown in his works.
