Studies in Dogmatics: Holy Scripture
Overview
This thirteenth volume in the widely hailed series Studies in Dogmatics by Amsterdam theologian G. C. Berkouwer discusses the doctrine of Scripture with the catholic scope and penetrating insights into the theological issues that readers of earlier volumes have come to expect. It is a Reformed Christian doctrine of Scripture which Berkouwer articulates, but the centrality of the Bible in all Christendom and his own aversion to any form of parochialism make it impossible for him to forge his positive statement without regard to a lengthy roster of committed thinkers from time past and present. Behind these theologians, of course, stand the creeds and confessions; behind them the Bible itself, always looming large in Berkouwer’s writing-not as a reservoir of prooftexts but as a vital and refreshing stream of revealed truth which gives theology its meaning and energy.
Top Highlights
“The fear that this aspect of the doctrine of Scripture implies a threat to and an historicizing of the authority of Scripture is really the result of an artificial view of revelation. Those who hold such a view deny that shifts and changes in the history of the church can originate from a better understanding of Holy Scripture. They forget that Scripture is written in human words and consequently offers men legitimate freedom to examine these words and try to understand them. Moreover, those who hold a docetic view of Scripture can never completely disregard the fact that God’s Word has come to us by way of human translations, a fact that cannot be denied.29 Examining Holy Scripture does not imply a testing of the vox Dei by human reason.” (Pages 19–20)
“In answer to such criticism, one might note that it may be prompted by an incorrect conception of theology, a conception which considers it possible to discuss Holy Scripture apart from a personal relationship of belief in it, as though that alone would constitute true ‘objectivity.’” (Pages 8–9)
“What the confession does say is that the authority of the church can never be the ultimate and final ground of belief in Scripture.” (Page 41)
“Whatever we may think of the analogy between the doctrine of Scripture and Christology, a form of Docetism can enter the discussion of the former.23 This becomes evident in the minimization of the human aspect of Scripture in order to emphasize fully its divine character. Even though it is true that the attack against Docetism can be construed as an effort to ‘humanize’ Scripture—contrary to the Christological teaching of the early church—nevertheless the church’s tendency to minimize the human aspect of Scripture must be clearly recognized. The human element of Scripture does not receive the attention it deserves if certainty of faith can only be grounded in the divine testimony, for then it can no longer be maintained that God’s Word came to us in the form of human witness.” (Page 18)
Product Details
- Title: Studies in Dogmatics: Holy Scripture
- Author: G. C. Berkouwer
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Publication Date: 1975
- Pages: 380
G. C. Berkouwer (1903–1996) was the leading theologian of the Gereformeerde Kerken in the Netherlands and served as pastor there for over 15 years. He was professor of systematic theology at the Free University of Amsterdam while also lecturing on modern theology. In 1962, Berkouwer was an observer at the Second Vatican Council in Rome. He studied at the Christian Gymnasium and at the Free University of Amsterdam.
Berkouwer was very influential among the Reformed churches and other groups in North America, were his series Studies in Dogmatics, was translated, published, and very well-known. The Studies in Dogmatics series is noted by many as one of the most significant works of Christian Dogmatics of the twentienth century.
