Studies in Dogmatics: The Church
Overview
“I believe one holy catholic and apostolic church.” In these words of the Nicene Creed Christians of every era and every land have articulated a dimension of their faith that seems to invite cynicism. Through the years, unity and universality, holiness and faithfulness to the apostolic tradition have not been overwhelmingly obvious as attributes of the Church.
G. C. Berkouwer is not content to take the easy out and explain these shortcomings as thought what has traditionally been confessed about the Church refers only to an ideal, not the actual Church in its historical manifestations. On the contrary, Berkouwer argues, to the extent that the Church fails to display unity, catholicity, and holiness, it is failing to be itself. Readers of Berkouwer who have come to expect penetrating analysis of a wide range of past and contemporary options, constant reference to the Bible in the outworking of a theological stance, and deep concern for the preachability of theology will not be disappointed by this vivid and thoughtful contribution to ecclesiology.
Top Highlights
“the attributes of the Church: unity and catholicity, apostolicity and holiness.” (Page 12)
“the distinction between the attributes and marks of the Church” (Page 13)
“The background of the call to unity and fellowship is God’s saving, reconciling action. The individual does not disappear behind the vague contours of a ‘totality,’ but he is liberated from individualization and solitariness in order to have a place in this new fellowship.” (Page 77)
“True catholicity ‘is a grace given to the Church and constantly renewed by its Lord.’61 And therefore, it asks for continuing prayer.” (Page 122)
“What ‘is’ this Church? What is the reason for her tendency to penetrate into the lives of others? What riches does she possess, and what reality underlies her?” (Page 10)
Product Details
- Title: Studies in Dogmatics: The Church
- Author: G. C. Berkouwer
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Publication Date: 1976
- Pages: 440
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.