Trinity and Organism: Towards a New Reading of Herman Bavinck's Organic Motif

by James Eglinton

This book explores the organic motif found throughout the writings of the Dutch Calvinist theologian Herman Bavinck (1854-1921). Noting that Bavinck uses this motif at key points in the most important loci of theology; Christology, general and special revelation, ecclesiology and so forth; it seems that one cannot read him carefully without particular attention to his motif of the organic. By examining the sense in which Bavinck views all of reality as a beautiful balance of unity-in-diversity, James Eglinton draws the reader to Bavinck's constant concern for the doctrine of God as Trinity. If God is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Bavinck argues, the creation must be more akin to an organism than a machine. Trinity and organism are thus closely linked concepts.
Eglinton critiques and rejects the 'two Bavincks' (one orthodox and the other modern) hermeneutic so commonplace in discussions of Bavinck's theology. Instead, this book argues for a reunited Herman Bavinck as a figure committed to the participation of historic orthodox theology in the modern world.

Genres: Theology, Philosophy

240 pages, Hardcover

First published March 29, 2012

Reviews

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent read. Eglinton conclusively shows that the two-Bavinck hypothesis is fundamentally flawed. In addition to this he demonstrated that Bavinvk’s organic motif is grounded in his doctrine of God.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eglinton addresses the "two-Bavinck" thesis, which is the claim that there was an internal conflict within Bavinck's own thought between the legacy of the modernism to which he was exposed at Leiden and his strictly orthodox heritage and upbringing.

After 3 introductory chapters that set the scene and introduce Bavinck and his development, explain the "two Bavinck" claim, and then the organic motif, the bulk of the book explores his thought as developed in the RD, along three themes: the organic motif in, first in the doctrine of God, second, scripture, and thirdly the church.

Eglinton clearly sets how the "organic motif" operates:

First, the created order is marked by simultaneous unity and diversity . Second unity proceeds diversity. Thirdly, the organisms shared life is orchestrated by a common idea. Finally, Bavinck crystalises his organic thinking by noting its teleological definiteness. The Organism has a drive towards its goal. (66-69)

For anyone interested in the RD, this will be an invaluable guide to important streams of thought in this great theologian.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. Exposes the myriad of faults within the two Bavinck's hypothesis. Shows that Bavinck's use of the organic motif is embedded in the trinitarian view of God.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful revisionist work that effectively demolishes the so-called "Two Bavinck's" thesis within Bavinck scholarship. Eglinton shows that the "organism" metaphor in Bavinck is more indebted to the Reformed tradition than to 19th c. Idealism. By tracing the way Bavinck seeks unity in all things, Eglinton shows that the organism metaphor highlights the way things seemingly at odds can find their unity from their archetypal source: the triune God.

A wonderful work of scholarship for students of Bavinck.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. For the last fifty years, the majority of Bavinck scholarship has read him as irreconcilably modern and orthodox. This tension within Bavinck was thought to divide his work into 'modern Bavinck' and 'orthodox Bavinck.' Eglinton seeks to dismantle the 'two Bavinck hypothesis' and begin the process of re-reading him as a unified theologian. Eglinton focuses on Bavinck's use of the term organic in his treatment of the doctrine of God, general revelation, special revelation, and ecclesiology. This book is well worth reading for anyone interested in Bavinck or trying to navigate modernity and orthodoxy.

[Mark Gring · Rating 5 out of 5]

There will be more I will add to this in the future but I must admit I have found another Bavinck scholar, in addition to Eglinton's students C. Bock and N. Gray Sutanto, who I find I NEED to read in order to better understand Bavinck's theology and dogmatics.
I found I needed to read this text in order to better understand a trinitarian view of the cosmos. Key to this understanding is the view of Bavinck's organicism--specifically the unity-in-diversity idea. This is a profound idea I have read from few others and something hinted at in Calvin and other reformers but not highlighted. This idea was immediately imported into my metaphysics of rhetoric class (not its actual title) at my state university. It will be a key feature in two books I am working on about Communication and covenant and rhetoric and metaphysics.
I appreciate the organic view Bavinck uses and which Eglinton explains so well in this text. James, may I call him James (?), does a fantastic job of laying out Bavinck's key approach via "organicism," explaining this along with the unity-in-diversity idea, showing how these foundational assumptions challenge the "two Bavincks" interpretation from the past, and how this differs from the Augustinian-introduced notion of seeing the trinity in the world by looking for groups of three related items. Eglinton then goes on to show how Bavinck draws from key ideas from Calvin (and others) and how these ideas affect how we understand revelation, humanity, scripture, and ecclesiology.
There is SO much more I could write about here and in glowing ways. These are key foundational ideas that will profoundly affect how I apply these theological issues to my own academic area of study.
I urge the reader to get this book and digest it well. It may well be a paradigmatic change for your understanding of reformed theology--in a very good and profound way.

[Noah Lykins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contrary to older scholarship, Eglinton positively demonstrates the cohesiveness of Bavinck’s Trinitarian thought & theological anthropology through a look at B’s use of the “organic” motif.

Fantastic look at the trends of seminaries and widespread culture during B’s lifetime (Leiden’s Scholten and Rauwenhoff), and before, like when Calvin expressed providence not in organic terms, but framed it in a way “to exclude a mechanical exercise of God’s will whereby the independent existence of the creature is devalued.” 147

“He sees humanity's position as imago Dei in distinct senses corporately and individually. The individual human is a psychosomatic union of body and soul. As such, he is the meeting place for the visible and the invisible, the bringing together of heaven and earth. He represents that which is to that which becomes and vice versa.
Bavinck also places a distinct accent on the collective divine image bearing of the human race. The entire triune deity, he claims, is the archetype of humanity. As a race, humans transcend the moment. Individuals come and go but the race continues. Collectively, humanity assigns meaning to the present in relation to an understood past and a hoped for future. Humans, like their Creator, 'bear the ages in [their] hearts'. Knowledge is passed between generations. Indeed, it is the collective property of all humanity.” Pg 123

[David Alfio Nicotra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really helpful reformation in Bavinck studies

Eglinton deconstructs the ‘two-Bavinck’ approach that has dominated Bavinck studies for the last half-century. He then constructs a more harmonious understanding of Bavinck with the help of his organic motif. Through that lense he explores the doctrine of God, revelation, scripture, and ecclesiology all while providing the historical context behind Bavinck’s writing. This work was easy to read and was thought provoking for future works in Bavinck studies and reformed theology in general.

[Ben Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A watershed book in Bavinck studies. The last 10 years since have only and continually vindicated Eglinton’s work.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful on the "two Bavinck" nonsense.