Bavinck on the Christian Life: Following Jesus in Faithful Service (Theologians on the Christian Life)
Overview
Herman Bavinck looms large as one of the nineteenth century’s greatest Christian thinkers, contributing much to modern Reformed theology. Yet, despite his theological prowess, Bavinck was first and foremost concerned with being “a worthy follower of Jesus.” In this book, John Bolt—editor of the English edition of Bavinck’s four-volume masterpiece, Reformed Dogmatics—brings the great Dutch theologian’s life and work to bear on following Jesus in the twenty-first century, helping us see the direct connection between robust theology, practical holiness, and personal joy.
Top Highlights
“We are human before we are Christian, and we are Christian to be truly human.” (Page 69)
“‘this mystical union, this spiritual, living, communion with Christ is the primary element of the imitation of Christ.” (Page 111)
“We do not become God as he exists in his own essence; we only participate in the energy or activity of God” (Page 77)
“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, even for Christian principles, if he loses his own soul?’6 Christians who share the classic Reformed emphasis on the value of all vocations as ‘service in the kingdom of God’ should never downplay the urgency of our Lord’s command to proclaim the gospel to the world and disciple the nations. To repeat Bavinck’s words: ‘For this is indeed what life boils down to.’” (Page 44)
“The doctrine of common grace, we must always remember, is intended not to give us permission to bless and use unbelieving culture but to lift our hearts to God, the giver of ‘every good and perfect gift.’” (Page 52)