Between the Beginning and the End: A Radical Kingdom Vision

by Johan Herman Bavinck

Radical, comprehensive vision of the kingdom of God in light of the new creation

Twentieth-century Dutch missiologist and prolific author J. H. Bavinck was committed to confronting the world with the saving message of Christ. In this first English translation of the Dutch work published in 1946, Bavinck presents a cosmic kingdom vision and champions the coming of the kingdom of Christ as the basic message of the gospel.

Bavinck eloquently challenges believers to live as kingdom people as he expresses a uniquely Reformed perspective on the eternal significance of our temporal world. His eschatological vision, which permeates the book, is now more relevant than ever as climate change, resource depletion, financial turmoil, and other issues increasingly threaten our world.

With Bert Hielema's skillful translation capturing the beauty and power of Bavinck's original text, Between the Beginning and the End calls all Christians to consider anew the entire scope of the church and Christ's kingdom.

Genres: Theology

158 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 15, 2014

About the author

Johan Herman Bavinck (see also J.H. Bavinck) was a Dutch pastor, missionary and theologian.

Bavinck was born in Rotterdam as the second son of Reverend Coenraad Bernardus Bavinck. He attended the Marnix Gymnasium there. Both his father and his grandfather Jan Bavinck were pastors. His uncle was Herman Bavinck, pastor and Professor of Dogmatics at the theological school in Kampen and at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam

Reviews

[Rylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Lovely. I can't get enough of JH Bavinck. His observations on John 18 made me wish that it were Saturday so that I wouldn't have to wait as long until Sunday to worship with God's people.

[Tyler Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike anything I’ve ever read before

[John B. MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was recommended by a reader of 'living theology' at johnbmacdonald.com. It is a translation of a 1946 publication, written by a Dutch Christian who had lived through the Nazi occupation of his country during World War Two (1939-1945). It is helpful to understand the historical context within which this book was written.

In Bavinck’s words:

I would like to reflect on how the Bible sees us as human beings, seeking to understand how the Bible views us and what the Bible tells us about ourselves. One thing has already become clear: the Bible regards us both as being in history and standing before the face of God. (4)

He rightly sees “that empire is the opposite of God’s kingdom” (37), a theme echoed in Walter Bruggemann’s The Prophetic Imagination–a book that was formative for me. As such, “Everything in this world is either in Adam or in Christ” (126).

It is a mini-theology of humanity from Creation to Fall, and on to Redemption. His final chapter reflects on some implications of this theology for living life faithfully.

[John Funnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book! Incredibly well written (superb work by the translator).

Christ comes alive in the description of His arrest. Tremendous insight into the parallels of Gethsemane and Eden, Jesus and Adam and Christ’s reversal of the fall.

Wonderful!

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting, and very theological, reflection on Jesus' death and resurrection from a couple of specific viewpoints relating mostly to the difference between the old Adam and Jesus as the new Adam, and how He redeems humanity by transcending the two. Heavy stuff.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This was one part Biblical theology in the redemptive historical variety, one part a demonstration of typological hermeneutic par excellence, one part systematic theology, one part worldview training, and one part call for radical missional engagement.

I will return to this work annually.

[Kevin Fulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a vision of Christianity from Genesis to Revelation emphasizing the importance of a covenantal perspective.

[Greg Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d recommend this book to others.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Herman Bavinck's Nephew Tells the Story Well

Great read to kick-off the New Year. Like his uncle, Herman Bavinck, Johan Herman Bavinck has an easy-to-read writing style that carries you along and guides you to see profound truths from a unique perspective. The Bavinck's are gifted men in the Dutch Reformed tradition who are immersed in the storyline of Scripture and the church. Herman was a pastor-theologian, while Johan was a missionary-theologian.

I’m not quite sure how to categorize this book other than to say it is a biblical theology of history using Adam (Humanity), the Garden (Paradise), and the Trees (Choices) as its themes.

This book would be a great read leading up to Easter.