Recent Trends in Theology

by Louis Berkhof

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 1946

Overview

In Recent Trends in Theology, Louis Berkhof offers an appraisal of current topics and thinkers in early nineteenth century theology. He delivered an address on this topic in the spring of 1943 at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and repeated his lecture at Calvin Theological Seminary later that year. He explores and interacts with thinkers such at Friedrich Schleiermacher, Albrecht Ritschl, William James, Ernst Troeltsch, Karl Barth, and other influential voices speaking from both inside and outside the church. He also covers topics such as evolution and pragmatism, and locates both within a larger modernist project to undermine rational Christian belief.

Product Details

• Title: Recent Trends in Theology
• Author: Louis Berkhof
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 1946
• Pages: 47

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

Contents

Top Highlights

“they cannot follow the antiquated method of authority, cannot accept the teachings of the Bible at their face value” (Page 15)

“Religion is a relationship between man and his God, while theology is the knowledge which man has of God” (Page 6)

“In so far as God is recognized, it is generally only the God of the inner experience of man.” (Page 30)

“he did not regard Christ as the Son of God in a metaphysical sense” (Page 18)

Product Details

• Title: Recent Trends in Theology
• Author: Louis Berkhof
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 1946
• Logos Release Date: 2009
• Era: era:modern
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Theology › Methodology; Modernism (Christian theology)
• Resource ID: LLS:RECTRNDTHEO
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-12T08:44:27Z

About Louis Berkhof

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.