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The Foremost Problems of Contemporary Dogmatics: On Faith, Knowledge, and the Christian Tradition
Herman Bavinck on the challenges theologians face
Herman Bavinck’s counsel to theologiansA unique window into Bavinck’s thoughtAn overlooked work from a key Neo-Calvinist thinkerIn The Foremost Problems of Contemporary Dogmatics, Herman Bavinck identifies the primary challenges confronting Protestant theologians in the early twentieth century. Since the main difficulties do not concern specific heads of doctrine but arise in theological method, Bavinck’s focus narrows to the act of faith. Bavinck demonstrates the necessity of viewing faith as knowledge rather than mere trust, recounting the development of doctrine from the biblical authors through the dawn of the twentieth century. This book provides a unique window into Bavinck’s thought, as he speaks candidly about the limitations and failures of Reformed theology and the relative merits of modern thinkers.
The Foremost Problems of Contemporary Dogmatics was a series of lectures delivered at the Free University shortly after Bavinck moved to Amsterdam in 1902. Edited and translated by Gert de Kok and Bruce R. Pass, these previously unpublished lectures are available for the first time in English.
Herman Bavinck’s counsel to theologiansA unique window into Bavinck’s thoughtAn overlooked work from a key Neo-Calvinist thinkerIn The Foremost Problems of Contemporary Dogmatics, Herman Bavinck identifies the primary challenges confronting Protestant theologians in the early twentieth century. Since the main difficulties do not concern specific heads of doctrine but arise in theological method, Bavinck’s focus narrows to the act of faith. Bavinck demonstrates the necessity of viewing faith as knowledge rather than mere trust, recounting the development of doctrine from the biblical authors through the dawn of the twentieth century. This book provides a unique window into Bavinck’s thought, as he speaks candidly about the limitations and failures of Reformed theology and the relative merits of modern thinkers.
The Foremost Problems of Contemporary Dogmatics was a series of lectures delivered at the Free University shortly after Bavinck moved to Amsterdam in 1902. Edited and translated by Gert de Kok and Bruce R. Pass, these previously unpublished lectures are available for the first time in English.
- GenresTheologyPhilosophy
376 pages, Hardcover
Published February 12, 2025
13 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Herman Bavinck
112 books195 followersHerman Bavinck (1854-1921) succeeded Abraham Kuyper as professor of systematic theology at the Free University of Amsterdam in 1902.
His nephew was Johan Herman Bavinck.
His nephew was Johan Herman Bavinck.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 19, 2025
In The Foremost Problems of Contemporary Dogmatics, Herman Bavinck highlights the primary challenges facing Protestant theologians in the early twentieth century. The edited translation by Gert de Kok and Bruce R. Pass is smooth and clear, making Bavinck’s ideas easy to follow.
Originally delivered as a series of lectures at the Free University shortly after Bavinck’s move to Amsterdam in 1902, the work explores the theologies of the Reformation. Of particular interest is Bavinck’s insightful analysis of Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, offering compelling contrasts.
Neo-Calvinism as a Championed Worldview
Bavinck also engages with the ideas of Kant, Schleiermacher, and Hegel, revealing how they frame their faith in terms of moralism, mysticism, and rationalism. The final lectures delve into the influence of art and science on various theological frameworks.
A rigorous yet rewarding read, The Foremost Problems of Contemporary Dogmatics offers a rare glimpse into the mind of an exceptional thinker, teacher, and theologian. Reading this book is like catching Bavinck candidly in the classroom, taking Neo-Calvinism to work and passionately presenting it as a championed worldview.
I received a media copy of The Foremost Problems of Contemporary Dogmatics and this is my honest review.
Originally delivered as a series of lectures at the Free University shortly after Bavinck’s move to Amsterdam in 1902, the work explores the theologies of the Reformation. Of particular interest is Bavinck’s insightful analysis of Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, offering compelling contrasts.
Neo-Calvinism as a Championed Worldview
Bavinck also engages with the ideas of Kant, Schleiermacher, and Hegel, revealing how they frame their faith in terms of moralism, mysticism, and rationalism. The final lectures delve into the influence of art and science on various theological frameworks.
A rigorous yet rewarding read, The Foremost Problems of Contemporary Dogmatics offers a rare glimpse into the mind of an exceptional thinker, teacher, and theologian. Reading this book is like catching Bavinck candidly in the classroom, taking Neo-Calvinism to work and passionately presenting it as a championed worldview.
I received a media copy of The Foremost Problems of Contemporary Dogmatics and this is my honest review.
February 26, 2025
Quality lectures, pretty dense. Lots of references to somewhat obscure (German) thinkers/philosophers. When reading, be ready to look up some names!
June 17, 2025
Review to come
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews