The Essential Herman Bavinck
A Reader and Commentary
Will be published approx. on 21. July 2026
Book
Hardback
560 pages
978-1-5409-6848-7 (ISBN)
Description
This book brings together Herman Bavinck's essential theological writings in one volume. Gayle E. Doornbos and N. Gray Sutanto, both respected scholars of Bavinck and neo-Calvinism, introduce the texts and provide commentary to help readers understand Bavinck in his historical context and grasp his theological vision.
In addition to covering one of the most important theological works of the twentieth century, Reformed Dogmatics, this book includes other important texts written by Bavinck that mark his theological development and the shape of his thought. The texts are arranged chronologically from Bavinck's earliest writings to selections from Reformed Dogmatics to his Amsterdam writings, which focus on applying theology to other areas of life. The authors include selections from Reformed Dogmatics that go beyond historical narration to display Bavinck's own contributions and judgments. As the authors introduce Bavinck's classic texts, they abridge and explain the primary source material in understandable terms.
This book will be of use to students of Bavinck, neo-Calvinism, or modern theology as well as readers looking for a one-volume resource that introduces them to Bavinck and his theology.
In addition to covering one of the most important theological works of the twentieth century, Reformed Dogmatics, this book includes other important texts written by Bavinck that mark his theological development and the shape of his thought. The texts are arranged chronologically from Bavinck's earliest writings to selections from Reformed Dogmatics to his Amsterdam writings, which focus on applying theology to other areas of life. The authors include selections from Reformed Dogmatics that go beyond historical narration to display Bavinck's own contributions and judgments. As the authors introduce Bavinck's classic texts, they abridge and explain the primary source material in understandable terms.
This book will be of use to students of Bavinck, neo-Calvinism, or modern theology as well as readers looking for a one-volume resource that introduces them to Bavinck and his theology.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Ada, MI
United States
Publishing group
Baker Publishing Group
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paper over boards
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 159 mm
Thickness: 36 mm
Weight
871 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5409-6848-7 (9781540968487)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Gayle E. Doornbos (PhD, University of St. Michael's College) is associate professor of theology at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa. She is the author of numerous chapters and articles on neo-Calvinism.
N. Gray Sutanto (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is associate professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He has translated, edited, or written numerous books, including God and Humanity: Herman Bavinck and Theological Anthropology and Neo-Calvinism: A Theological Introduction.
N. Gray Sutanto (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is associate professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He has translated, edited, or written numerous books, including God and Humanity: Herman Bavinck and Theological Anthropology and Neo-Calvinism: A Theological Introduction.
Content
Editorial Introduction
Part 1: Early Writings
1. Preface to Synopsis Purioris Theologiae (1881)
2. "Conscience" (1881)
3. "The Kingdom of God, the Highest Good" (1881)
4. "The Pros and Cons of a Dogmatic System" (1881)
5. "The Catholicity of Christianity and the Church" (1888)
6. "Theology and Religious Studies" (1892)
7. "Common Grace" (1894)
8. "The Future of Calvinism" (1894)
9. Foundations of Psychology (1897)
Part 2: Reformed Dogmatics
10. Reformed Dogmatics: Prolegomena (1906)
The Task of Dogmatics as the Science of God
The Organization of Dogmatics
Theological Prolegomena
Principia in the Sciences: Realism
Principia in Religion
General Revelation: On "Natural" and "Supernatural" Revelation
A Defense of Organic Inspiration
The Subject, Faith, and the Testimony of the Holy Spirit
The Use of Philosophy in Theology
11. Reformed Dogmatics: God and Creation (1908)
Knowledge of God
The Proofs: An Appraisal
Divine Names
Divine Simplicity; Essence and Attributes
Trinitarian Terminology
The Importance of Trinitarian Dogma
Inadequacy of Supralapsarianism and Infralapsarianism
The Reformation View of the Image
Covenant and Corporate Image
12. Reformed Dogmatics: Sin and Salvation in Christ (1910)
Explaining Original Sin
Sin and Its Consequences
The Centrality of the Incarnation
The Ordo Salutis in Reformed Theology
13. Reformed Dogmatics: Holy Spirit, Church, and New Creation
(1911)
Justification in Time or Eternity?
The Church's Spiritual Essence
The Church's Unique Spiritual Power
The Validity of Infant Baptism
Organic Sanctification
Part 3: Amsterdam Writings
14. Christian Worldview (1904)
15. Christianity and Science (1904)
16. The Philosophy of Revelation (1908)
17. The Christian Family (1908)
18. Foreword to The Wonderful Works of God (1911)
19. "Modernism and Orthodoxy" (1911)
20. The Woman in Contemporary Society (1918)
Indexes
Part 1: Early Writings
1. Preface to Synopsis Purioris Theologiae (1881)
2. "Conscience" (1881)
3. "The Kingdom of God, the Highest Good" (1881)
4. "The Pros and Cons of a Dogmatic System" (1881)
5. "The Catholicity of Christianity and the Church" (1888)
6. "Theology and Religious Studies" (1892)
7. "Common Grace" (1894)
8. "The Future of Calvinism" (1894)
9. Foundations of Psychology (1897)
Part 2: Reformed Dogmatics
10. Reformed Dogmatics: Prolegomena (1906)
The Task of Dogmatics as the Science of God
The Organization of Dogmatics
Theological Prolegomena
Principia in the Sciences: Realism
Principia in Religion
General Revelation: On "Natural" and "Supernatural" Revelation
A Defense of Organic Inspiration
The Subject, Faith, and the Testimony of the Holy Spirit
The Use of Philosophy in Theology
11. Reformed Dogmatics: God and Creation (1908)
Knowledge of God
The Proofs: An Appraisal
Divine Names
Divine Simplicity; Essence and Attributes
Trinitarian Terminology
The Importance of Trinitarian Dogma
Inadequacy of Supralapsarianism and Infralapsarianism
The Reformation View of the Image
Covenant and Corporate Image
12. Reformed Dogmatics: Sin and Salvation in Christ (1910)
Explaining Original Sin
Sin and Its Consequences
The Centrality of the Incarnation
The Ordo Salutis in Reformed Theology
13. Reformed Dogmatics: Holy Spirit, Church, and New Creation
(1911)
Justification in Time or Eternity?
The Church's Spiritual Essence
The Church's Unique Spiritual Power
The Validity of Infant Baptism
Organic Sanctification
Part 3: Amsterdam Writings
14. Christian Worldview (1904)
15. Christianity and Science (1904)
16. The Philosophy of Revelation (1908)
17. The Christian Family (1908)
18. Foreword to The Wonderful Works of God (1911)
19. "Modernism and Orthodoxy" (1911)
20. The Woman in Contemporary Society (1918)
Indexes