Studies in Dogmatics: Faith and Sanctification
Overview
Faith and Sanctification is the first volume to appear in the First American Edition of a series of monographs covering the whole field of Christian theology. This major contribution to the current literature of theology, destined to exert its influence within the main current of American religious thought, it the work of Prof. G. C Berkouwer, occupant of the Chair of Systematic Theology at the Free University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands-a country with a long tradition for great theologians. In his ambitious series, Prof. Berkouwer easily keeps the tradition alive. The translation of his books for American readers marks an important literary event. In this volume Professor Berkouwer sets forth the gravity of the Christian’s responsibility: “For there is nothing hid, save that it should be manifested; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light”-that gives it its peculiar character. Faith and Sanctification is an excellent introduction of Berkouwer to American readers.
Top Highlights
“Faith is not a competitor of love and good works but rather a sponsor, and gives foundation to them because it acknowledges the grace of God.” (Pages 32–33)
“The people of Israel offer, proof that one may live in the climate of absolute imperatives and still perish. It is therefore of the utmost importance, not only to acknowledge the fact of the Scriptural command to be holy, but especially to understand the nature of this command.” (Pages 19–20)
“For progress in sanctification never meant working out one’s own salvation under one’s own auspices; on the contrary, it meant working out one’s own salvation with a rising sense of dependence on God’s grace.” (Page 112)
“Bavinck when he wrote: ‘Many indeed acknowledge that we are justified by the righteousness of Christ, but seem to think that—at least they act as if—they must be sanctified by a holiness they themselves have acquired.’” (Page 22)
“that in the New Testament all admonition is grounded in and proceeds from the mercy of God.” (Page 25)
Product Details
- Title: Studies in Dogmatics: Faith and Sanctification
- Author: G. C. Berkouwer
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Publication Date: 1952
- Pages: 196
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.