The Essential Herman Bavinck: A Reader and Commentary
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
This book brings together Herman Bavinck’s essential theological writings in one volume. Gayle E. Doornbos and N. Gray Sutanto, both respected scholars of Bavinck and neo-Calvinism, introduce the texts and provide commentary to help readers understand Bavinck in his historical context and grasp his theological vision.
In addition to covering one of the most important theological works of the twentieth century, Reformed Dogmatics, this book includes other important texts written by Bavinck that mark his theological development and the shape of his thought. The texts are arranged chronologically from Bavinck’s earliest writings to selections from Reformed Dogmatics to his Amsterdam writings, which focus on applying theology to other areas of life. The authors include selections from Reformed Dogmatics that go beyond historical narration to display Bavinck’s own contributions and judgments. As the authors introduce Bavinck’s classic texts, they abridge and explain the primary source material in understandable terms.
This book will be of use to students of Bavinck, neo-Calvinism, or modern theology as well as readers looking for a one-volume resource that introduces them to Bavinck and his theology.
From the Back Cover
”The remarkable range and depth of Bavinck’s theology is now on full view in one accessible volume"
This book compiles Herman Bavinck’s essential theological writings in one volume. The authors introduce the texts and provide commentary to help us understand Bavinck in his historical context and grasp his theological vision.
“This volume of judiciously selected texts guides readers through a delightful array of the many riches in the work of Bavinck. Complete with helpful introductions and insightful annotations by the supremely qualified editors, this volume represents a wonderful introduction and helpful resource for all those seeking to encounter or reencounter this Dutch master."
--Paul T. Nimmo, King’s College, University of Aberdeen
"To Bavinck, theology was timeless and timebound. Times change. New intellectual and social questions arise. At the turn of the twentieth century, they did so at breakneck speed. Bavinck saw Reformed orthodoxy as a tradition equipped to be sure-footed on shifting terrain. The texts drawn together by Doornbos and Sutanto show us that way of writing theology in real time, from Bavinck’s early to mature years. We are much in their debt."
--James Eglinton, University of Edinburgh
"I have frequently been asked whether there is one book with which to begin studying Bavinck. From now on I will enthusiastically recommend this comprehensive single volume of essential Bavinck material. The editors’ careful introductions and annotations make it a constructive piece of Bavinck scholarship that will be essential for all Bavinck students."
--John Bolt, Calvin Theological Seminary (emeritus)
"This judicious selection from Bavinck’s most important writings will further enhance the interest in his work. The remarkable range and depth of Bavinck’s theology is now on full view in one accessible volume."
--David Fergusson, University of Cambridge
"This reader is a gift to all theology enthusiasts who are eager to sit at the feet of, and learn from, a theological giant. Doornbos and Sutanto provide clear, orienting introductions that situate Bavinck’s essays both historically and theologically. Highly recommended!"
--Jessica Joustra, Redeemer University
- Brings together Herman Bavinck’s essential theological writings in one volume
- Includes texts arranged chronologically to mark Bavinck’s theological development and shape of his thought
- Abridges and explains Bavinck’s classic texts and primary source material in understandable terms
Editorial Introduction
Part 1: Early Writings
1. Preface to Synopsis Purioris Theologiae (1881)
2. “Conscience” (1881)
3. “The Kingdom of God, the Highest Good” (1881)
4. “The Pros and Cons of a Dogmatic System” (1881)
5. “The Catholicity of Christianity and the Church” (1888)
6. “Theology and Religious Studies” (1892)
7. “Common Grace” (1894)
8. “The Future of Calvinism” (1894)
9. Foundations of Psychology (1897)
Part 2: Reformed Dogmatics
10. Reformed Dogmatics: Prolegomena (1906)
The Task of Dogmatics as the Science of God
The Organization of Dogmatics
Theological Prolegomena
Principia in the Sciences: Realism
Principia in Religion
General Revelation: On “Natural” and “Supernatural” Revelation
A Defense of Organic Inspiration
The Subject, Faith, and the Testimony of the Holy Spirit
The Use of Philosophy in Theology
11. Reformed Dogmatics: God and Creation (1908)
Knowledge of God
The Proofs: An Appraisal
Divine Names
Divine Simplicity; Essence and Attributes
Trinitarian Terminology
The Importance of Trinitarian Dogma
Inadequacy of Supralapsarianism and Infralapsarianism
The Reformation View of the Image
Covenant and Corporate Image
12. Reformed Dogmatics: Sin and Salvation in Christ (1910)
Explaining Original Sin
Sin and Its Consequences
The Centrality of the Incarnation
The Ordo Salutis in Reformed Theology
13. Reformed Dogmatics: Holy Spirit, Church, and New Creation
(1911)
Justification in Time or Eternity?
The Church’s Spiritual Essence
The Church’s Unique Spiritual Power
The Validity of Infant Baptism
Organic Sanctification
Part 3: Amsterdam Writings
14. Christian Worldview (1904)
15. Christianity and Science (1904)
16. The Philosophy of Revelation (1908)
17. The Christian Family (1908)
18. Foreword to The Wonderful Works of God (1911)
19. “Modernism and Orthodoxy” (1911)
20. The Woman in Contemporary Society (1918)
Indexes
- Title: The Essential Herman Bavinck: A Reader and Commentary
- Authors: Gayle Doornbos, Gray N. Sutanto
- Publisher: Baker Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2026
- Logos Release Date: 2025
- Pages: 560
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- ISBNs: 9781493454976, 9781540968487, 1540968480, 1493454978
- Resource ID: LLS:9781493454976
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2025-11-18T19:10:22Z