Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 1: The Prolegomena

by Herman Bavinck; John Bolt; John Vriend

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2003

Overview

In this, prefatory volume to the Reformed Dogmatics, Herman Bavinck discusses the science, method, and organization of dogmatic theology. He gives deep insight into the differences that exist between the dogmatic theologies of Roman Catholics, Lutherans, and Reformists. Bavinck adeptly sets up the rest of his Reformed theology by defining his terms and his understanding of the nature of divine revelation and particularly God’s revelation in scripture.

This masterwork will appeal to scholars and students of theology, research and theological libraries, and pastors and laity who read serious works of Reformed theology.

In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Discusses the science, method, and organization of dogmatic theology
• Examines the differences between the dogmatic theologies of Roman Catholics, Lutherans, and Reformists
• Presents Bavinck’s understanding of the nature of divine revelation

Contents

Top Highlights

“Theology as a particular science assumes that God has unmistakably revealed himself; in other words, it assumes the existence, the self-revelation, and the knowability of God and therefore proceeds from a highly significant dogma. A dogmatically free theology, or dogmatics, is a self-contradiction.” (Pages 37–38)

“So dogma came to denote the articles of faith that were based on the Word of God and therefore obligated everyone to faith. Dogmatics, then, is the system of the articles of faith.” (Page 34)

“Opposition to dogma is not resistance to dogma as such, for ‘unbelief has at all times been most dogmatic’ (Kant), but to certain specific dogmas with which people can no longer agree.” (Page 33)

“If God is not knowable, did not reveal himself, or does not even exist, not only dogmatics or theology but religion itself collapses, for it is built on the knowledge of God. Thus dogmatics is, and can only exist as, the scientific system of the knowledge of God. More precisely and from a Christian viewpoint, dogmatics is the knowledge that God has revealed in his Word to the church concerning himself and all creatures as they stand in relation to him.” (Page 38)

“The use of the word dogma teaches us, in the first place, that a wide range of commands, decisions, truths, propositions and rules for living can be denoted by it. Nonetheless, the element that they all have in common is that dogma consistently stands for something that is established and not subject to doubt.” (Page 29)

Praise for the Print Edition

A welcome addition to the works of Bavinck in English. Of special interest is Bavinck's insightful critique of the role of apologetics in establishing certainty in faith.

—Donald G. Bloesch, emeritus professor of theology, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary

What a wonderful gift to the English-speaking theological world! The topics explored by Bavinck are still of the utmost importance, and he addresses them here in a theological voice that is amazingly fresh. I pray that the appearance of this volume signals the beginnings of a Bavinck revival!

—Richard J. Mouw, president, Fuller Theological Seminary

Finally Bavinck becomes available to the English-speaking world. The Dutch version has been a constant stimulus for students, pastors, and other interested Christians. It has shaped generations of theologians and helped them to preach, think, and act on a fresh, Reformed basis. The strength of Bavinck's Dogmatics is that it's neither conservative nor progressive, but its biblical character makes it constantly up-to-date. Baker and the Dutch Reformed Translation Society deserve praise for this project, from which without doubt church and theology will profit for years to come.

—Herman Selderhuis, Theologische Universiteit Appeldoorn

Bavinck's Dutch masterwork was the Everest of which the textbooks by Louis Berkhof and Auguste Leoerf were foothills and Berkouwer's studies in dogmatics were outliers. Like Augustine, Calvin, and Edwards, Bavinck was a man of giant mind, vast learning, ageless wisdom, and great expository skill, and to have his first volume now in full English, with a promise of the other three to come, is a wonderful enrichment. 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.

—J. I. Packer, professor of theology, Regent College

Product Details

• Title: Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 1: The Prolegomena
• Author: Herman Bavinck
• Translator: John Bolt
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Publication Date: 2002
• Pages: 685
• Christian Group: Reformed
• Resource Type: Systematic Theologies
• Topic: Calvinism

About Herman Bavinck

Herman Bavinck was born in 1854 in the Netherlands. He studied at Kampen Theological Seminary and the University of Leiden, and graduated in 1880. Bavinck returned to Kampen in 1881 as the newly-appointed Professor of Dogmatics. In 1902, Bavinck moved to Amsterdam to teach at the Free University, and was also appointed to the parliament in the Netherlands.

Along with Abraham Kuyper, Bavinck figured prominently in the nineteenth century Dutch Calvinist revival and contributed to the resurgence of Reformed theology. He was a prolific writer, and published numerous books and articles. His most well-known publications include his 4-volume Reformed Dogmatics and The Philosophy of Revelation.