God does not change, Bavinck said, because he is. He is independent of time and has life in himself. To say that God becomes as pantheism assumes diminishes his character. … Read more→
Archive for the ‘Book Recommendations’ Category
Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics: Smash and Grab
We’ve been sifting through some of the high points of Bavinck’s doctrine of God, offering up small, somewhat uncritical summaries of his thought. In volume two Bavinck has an almost … Read more→
Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics: Rocket Science for all God’s Children
Creation, says Bavinck, is a revelation of God. There is not a corner of the universe that does not reflect something of his glory. But creation does not reveal God’s … Read more→
Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics: Learned Ignorance
Dogmatics takes for its starting point the certainty of God’s existence. Everything else is details. For Bavinck the outset of Christian theology has one thing in common with the long … Read more→
Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics: The Grand Scheme of Things
“Mystery is the lifeblood of dogmatics†are Bavinck’s opening words to the doctrine of God. Even when a confirmed believer moves past the sophomore debates of faith v reason and … Read more→
Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics: No Accounting for Taste
Our last post looked at some of Bavinck’s opening words on regeneration. Self-awareness and self-improvement are to the spiritual life the first mile of a thousand. And, as far as … Read more→
Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics: The Up & Up
When it comes to decision making, tomorrow often never comes. For Bavinck and the Reformed, this adage is too true for the Pelagian doctrine of regeneration. Assuming the final cause … Read more→
From Bavinck to á Brakel: The Certainty of Hope
This year at the Calvin 21 conference I ran into Rev. Bart Elshout, translator of Brakel’s Christian’s Reasonable Service. He’s good people. I asked his thoughts on the great theme … Read more→
Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics: God Save the Willing
There is a lot at stake in describing regeneration and coming to faith. Above all is the certainty that faith is genuine, leading to eternal life; its hope valid, its … Read more→
Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics: No One is Taller than Himself
We are now setting out in volume 4 of Bavinck’s Dogmatics. Part 1: The Holy Spirit gives New Life to Believers covers faith and calling, justification and regeneration before dealing … Read more→
