The doctrine of God

by Herman Bavinck

The doctrine of God is the foundation of Christian theology and the prerequisite of all true faith. Yet, despite this, few books expound the biblical teaching on the being and character of God himself, or encourage that glorifying of his name for which man is made and redeemed. Observing this need, William Hendriksen also saw how admirably it had been met, for those able to read Dutch, in the second volume of Herman Bavinck's Gereformeerde Dogmatiek (Reformed Dogmatics). The result was this present translation, making available some of the most important of Bavinck's material for the English-speaking world and providing, in the words of Hendriksen, 'a spiritual treat' for the serious reader. More fully this volume has been described as a 'model of exhaustive and balanced exegesis. Careful historical presentation, painstaking effort to do justice to both sides of a question and always a welath of biblical material to support its views make The Doctrine of God an unusually accurate and authoritative volume. The chapters God's Incomprehensibility, God's Knowability, God's Names, God's Incommunicable Attributes, God's Communicable Attributes, The Holy Trinity, and God's Counsel.' The Christian Church has had many historians of theology but few men who were themselves master theologians. Bavinck belonged to that small grop and as will always be found in such cases, he possessed both high gifts of intellect and real consecration to Christ. His memorable words at death, 'My learning does not help me now...faith alone saves me', exemplified the spirit in which he had sought to live.

Genres: Theology, Christian

407 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Herman 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.

Reviews

[Jean Pierre · Rating 4 out of 5]

No lie, this was a tough read from time to time. There were a lot of things I had to reread to really grasp but overall I thought it was a very good book. It opened my eyes to the traits of God that I never meditated on.

[Mark Nenadov]

It took over 5 years to read through this book. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t challenging or even frustrating at times. Some of it was way above my head grammatically or historically. That said, I didn’t worry too much about that, I just tried to soak up what I could and I found it to be a very profitable exercise. I found it really helpful and engaging. I would recommend some complementary reading, perhaps while working through this book, something shorter, more modern, more narrowly focused book (such as Matthew Barrett’s book on God’s attributes, for instance). Bavinck has incredible depth of knowledge and precision, and his writing can be very dense and technical, but at moments his writing shines with a considerable deal of beauty and elegance.

[Shane Hatfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good, but difficult read. Summary of the Doctrine of God is as good as it gets.

[mpsiple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to read the first half for class and don't mind throwing down a 5 star based on that alone. The best thing I've read in a few years. Thorough but never tedious, very devotional. I look forward to finishing it.

[G Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the better part of a decade, this was my turn to manual for the doctrine of God, despite areas where I would significantly disagree with him in, in the end, this is a good and legitimately classic text of Western and/or Reformed dogmatics. Perhaps for sentimentalistic reasons, I preferr(ed) Kistemaker's translation over against the newer fuller translation now published by Baker. Two points in particular about this volume. First he grossly misunderstands(?) or at least mischaracterizes Eastern Orthodoxy. Had he properly understood and engaged them, I do believe that this would have made the Trinitarian aspects of his theology (here and elsewhere) much more robust. Second, I think he had a lot to teach his students by way of humility (even if he didn't head his own advice). When commenting on the "order solutus" he encouraged his readers to exercise more caution when "commenting on", 'entering into", or "dogmatically stating" things regarding the logical procession within the mind of God. Oh, how many silly controversies and schisms could have been avoided had students and pastors within the reformed tradition headed his wise counsel in this regard.

[Nick Sommers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I really appreciate Bavinck’s method of stating the basic doctrine, showing the doctrine from the categories found in scripture, briefly showing the historical development of the doctrine in and outside Christendom, and then presenting the “Christian theology” (his/Reformed) view with great clarity and insight. He follows this pattern through the entire book for each main point.

I found it to be an exhilarating and highly rewarding read. I’m reading through it now a second time. This has prompted me to make Bavinck’s 4 volume Reformed Dogmatics my next book purchase.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most thorough treatment of classical Christian theism I've read to date. Since theology proper is foundational to every other doctrine in Christianity, this is essential reading for any serious student of the Bible. Worshipful and mind blowing at the same time.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really dense and really good.

[Nate Weis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic.

[Aurora Grace · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty standard Dutch Calvinism

[Elisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[Mark Seeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very deep teaching on the nature and character of God from the Protestant Reformed Calvinistic tradition. Awkward translation from the Dutch. Otherwise, five stars.