What do you think?
Rate this book
The Doctrine of Creation: A Constructive Kuyperian Approach
Christianity Today Book Award
ECPA Top Shelf Book Cover Award Apart from the doctrine of God, no doctrine is as comprehensive as that of creation. It is woven throughout the entire fabric of Christian theology. It goes to the deepest roots of reality and leaves no area of life untouched. Across the centuries, however, the doctrine of creation has often been eclipsed or threatened by various forms of gnosticism. Yet if Christians are to rise to current challenges related to public theology and ethics, we must regain a robust, biblical doctrine of creation. According to Bruce Ashford and Craig Bartholomew, one of the best sources for outfitting this recovery is Dutch neo-Calvinism. Abraham Kuyper, Herman Bavinck, and their successors set forth a substantial doctrine of creation's goodness, but recent theological advances in this tradition have been limited. Now in The Doctrine of Creation Ashford and Bartholomew develop the Kuyperian tradition's rich resources on creation for systematic theology and the life of the church today. In addition to tracing historical treatments of the doctrine, the authors explore intertwined theological themes such as the omnipotence of God, human vocation, and providence. They draw from diverse streams of Christian thought while remaining rooted in the Kuyperian tradition, with a sustained focus on doing theology in deep engagement with Scripture. Approaching the world as God's creation changes everything. Thus The Doctrine of Creation concludes with implications for current issues, including those related to philosophy, science, the self, and human dignity. This exegetically grounded constructive theology contributes to renewed appreciation for and application of the doctrine of creation―which is ultimately a doctrine of profound hope.
ECPA Top Shelf Book Cover Award Apart from the doctrine of God, no doctrine is as comprehensive as that of creation. It is woven throughout the entire fabric of Christian theology. It goes to the deepest roots of reality and leaves no area of life untouched. Across the centuries, however, the doctrine of creation has often been eclipsed or threatened by various forms of gnosticism. Yet if Christians are to rise to current challenges related to public theology and ethics, we must regain a robust, biblical doctrine of creation. According to Bruce Ashford and Craig Bartholomew, one of the best sources for outfitting this recovery is Dutch neo-Calvinism. Abraham Kuyper, Herman Bavinck, and their successors set forth a substantial doctrine of creation's goodness, but recent theological advances in this tradition have been limited. Now in The Doctrine of Creation Ashford and Bartholomew develop the Kuyperian tradition's rich resources on creation for systematic theology and the life of the church today. In addition to tracing historical treatments of the doctrine, the authors explore intertwined theological themes such as the omnipotence of God, human vocation, and providence. They draw from diverse streams of Christian thought while remaining rooted in the Kuyperian tradition, with a sustained focus on doing theology in deep engagement with Scripture. Approaching the world as God's creation changes everything. Thus The Doctrine of Creation concludes with implications for current issues, including those related to philosophy, science, the self, and human dignity. This exegetically grounded constructive theology contributes to renewed appreciation for and application of the doctrine of creation―which is ultimately a doctrine of profound hope.
448 pages, Hardcover
Published November 10, 2020
19 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 27, 2021
Summary: A study of the doctrine of creation, demonstrating how this doctrine is foundational and related to everything else in Christian theology.
The doctrine of creation has often been eclipsed in various ways in recent years. It has come under attack by some scientists and the arguments about the timing and efforts to harmonize biblical and scientific accounts have overshadowed the broader implications of this doctrine. The ongoing struggle of Christianity with gnostic tendencies have led to de-emphasis on the physical creation for some spiritualized, disembodied version of Christianity. For others, a Christocentric or cross-centric approach to theology also has led to de-emphasis on the doctrine of creation.
Ashford and Bartholomew draw upon the Kuyperian tradition in which the doctrine of creation is foundational and has implications for everything else while engaging other theologians and differing viewpoints in a constructive theological approach to this doctrine. This is one of those cases where they show as well as tell, not only making the argument, but showing the connections of this crucial doctrine to our understanding of culture, of God’s providence, of redemption and our eschatological hope, centered in the new creation.
They begin by outlining the doctrine of creation as an article of faith and how this relates to our doctrine of scripture and doctrine of God, and the fundamental idea of the goodness of creation, shaping our relationship with the physical world. They then engage in historical theology, surveying all the important theologians from the church fathers up through the modern period in two chapters. Before exegeting the early chapters of Genesis, a chapter is devoted to the omnipotence of God, the nature of evil, and the implications the idea of ex nihilo creation, which the authors support.
The next four chapters (5-8) walk through Genesis 1-3. They observe that from Genesis 1 alone we learn:
the existence of light;
the reality of time, days, seasons, years, and history;
the three great places of our world: sky, sea, and land;
the distinction between birds, sea creatures, and land animals;
the extraordinary world of flora and fruit trees and their importance in the food chain;
humankind as similar to and yet distinct from the other creatures and with unique capacities;
humankind as called to responsible stewardship of the creation;
humankind as gendered and inherently relational; and
humankind as inherently religious–that is, made for God. (p. 171)
The subsequent chapters explore Genesis 2, a discussion of the “heaven” in “heaven and earth” and the fall.
The authors then turn to other doctrines and the influence of the doctrine of creation. First is the influence of creation on our understanding of culture. A highlight of this chapter included a vocational focus on the rise of modern science, the art of Makoto Fujimura, and philospher Alvin Plantinga. The chapter on providence, “Creatio Continua,” was the highlight for me in a book full of treasures. In particular, they delineate the threefold providence of God as preservation, accompanying, and ruling. They even throw in a striking insight of the providence of God in the Septuagint, which gave a whole dictionary of Greek theological terms on which the early Christian movement could draw. Creation and the new creation are vitally intertwined, not simply as the beginning and end of the story. To what degree will the new creation restore, repristinate, or replace the old? And how should what is coming shape the way the church lives as disciples in the present.
The last chapter on “Creation And…” is a tour de force as the authors offer some of the best delineations I have seen in a few pages each of creation and…philosophy, the table (thinking about the implications of creation for how we eat), time, science, the self, and human dignity. An appendix follows in which Bartholomew and Michael Goheen outline in enumerated points the contours of a missional neo-Calvinism that shows in concise form how creation and the redemptive mission of God are integral to one another.
As noted, this work shows the richness of the doctrine of creation in its implications for all of life. The insets in the text may seem distracting at first but offer crucial theological elaboration of the discussion in each chapter. This is a work to be read slowly and reflectively. In the tradition of Calvin and Kuyper, one will be rewarded with deepening wonder in the greatness of God and delight in God’s creation and its implications for all of life.
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
The doctrine of creation has often been eclipsed in various ways in recent years. It has come under attack by some scientists and the arguments about the timing and efforts to harmonize biblical and scientific accounts have overshadowed the broader implications of this doctrine. The ongoing struggle of Christianity with gnostic tendencies have led to de-emphasis on the physical creation for some spiritualized, disembodied version of Christianity. For others, a Christocentric or cross-centric approach to theology also has led to de-emphasis on the doctrine of creation.
Ashford and Bartholomew draw upon the Kuyperian tradition in which the doctrine of creation is foundational and has implications for everything else while engaging other theologians and differing viewpoints in a constructive theological approach to this doctrine. This is one of those cases where they show as well as tell, not only making the argument, but showing the connections of this crucial doctrine to our understanding of culture, of God’s providence, of redemption and our eschatological hope, centered in the new creation.
They begin by outlining the doctrine of creation as an article of faith and how this relates to our doctrine of scripture and doctrine of God, and the fundamental idea of the goodness of creation, shaping our relationship with the physical world. They then engage in historical theology, surveying all the important theologians from the church fathers up through the modern period in two chapters. Before exegeting the early chapters of Genesis, a chapter is devoted to the omnipotence of God, the nature of evil, and the implications the idea of ex nihilo creation, which the authors support.
The next four chapters (5-8) walk through Genesis 1-3. They observe that from Genesis 1 alone we learn:
the existence of light;
the reality of time, days, seasons, years, and history;
the three great places of our world: sky, sea, and land;
the distinction between birds, sea creatures, and land animals;
the extraordinary world of flora and fruit trees and their importance in the food chain;
humankind as similar to and yet distinct from the other creatures and with unique capacities;
humankind as called to responsible stewardship of the creation;
humankind as gendered and inherently relational; and
humankind as inherently religious–that is, made for God. (p. 171)
The subsequent chapters explore Genesis 2, a discussion of the “heaven” in “heaven and earth” and the fall.
The authors then turn to other doctrines and the influence of the doctrine of creation. First is the influence of creation on our understanding of culture. A highlight of this chapter included a vocational focus on the rise of modern science, the art of Makoto Fujimura, and philospher Alvin Plantinga. The chapter on providence, “Creatio Continua,” was the highlight for me in a book full of treasures. In particular, they delineate the threefold providence of God as preservation, accompanying, and ruling. They even throw in a striking insight of the providence of God in the Septuagint, which gave a whole dictionary of Greek theological terms on which the early Christian movement could draw. Creation and the new creation are vitally intertwined, not simply as the beginning and end of the story. To what degree will the new creation restore, repristinate, or replace the old? And how should what is coming shape the way the church lives as disciples in the present.
The last chapter on “Creation And…” is a tour de force as the authors offer some of the best delineations I have seen in a few pages each of creation and…philosophy, the table (thinking about the implications of creation for how we eat), time, science, the self, and human dignity. An appendix follows in which Bartholomew and Michael Goheen outline in enumerated points the contours of a missional neo-Calvinism that shows in concise form how creation and the redemptive mission of God are integral to one another.
As noted, this work shows the richness of the doctrine of creation in its implications for all of life. The insets in the text may seem distracting at first but offer crucial theological elaboration of the discussion in each chapter. This is a work to be read slowly and reflectively. In the tradition of Calvin and Kuyper, one will be rewarded with deepening wonder in the greatness of God and delight in God’s creation and its implications for all of life.
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
September 11, 2024
Lots of nuanced insights & critique of Barth’s theology, seemingly more than Kuyper, despite the subtitle “Kuyperian Approach.” Appreciated this over time but wasn’t expecting it at first.
Ch 3: The Travails and Glories of the Doctrine of Creation; Modern Period and Ch 6: Place, Plants, Animals, Humans and Creation were beyond excellent, alone worthy of making this book very recommendable.
Ch 8 gives some context and vocabulary behind some Neo-Cal ideas against secular liberalism, including classifications of pluralism (normative, descriptive, directional, associational, contextual) and in Ch 9 covers classifications of the nature-graceful relationship (grace above nature, grace opposed to nature, grace alongside nature, & grace that infused and restored nature.)
Later chapters expose annihilative theology, discuss evolution, transgenderism and transhumanism. Relevant societal/cultural applications of the content built up in the first half of the book.
This is a hope filled work that broadened my understanding of creation and increased my excitement for our Lord’s coming restoration of His handiwork!
Ch 3: The Travails and Glories of the Doctrine of Creation; Modern Period and Ch 6: Place, Plants, Animals, Humans and Creation were beyond excellent, alone worthy of making this book very recommendable.
Ch 8 gives some context and vocabulary behind some Neo-Cal ideas against secular liberalism, including classifications of pluralism (normative, descriptive, directional, associational, contextual) and in Ch 9 covers classifications of the nature-graceful relationship (grace above nature, grace opposed to nature, grace alongside nature, & grace that infused and restored nature.)
Later chapters expose annihilative theology, discuss evolution, transgenderism and transhumanism. Relevant societal/cultural applications of the content built up in the first half of the book.
This is a hope filled work that broadened my understanding of creation and increased my excitement for our Lord’s coming restoration of His handiwork!
November 30, 2021
“The doctrine of creation is foundational and comprehensive. There is not an area of life it leaves untouched.” (335)
Craig Bartholomew approaches the doctrine of creation from a Dutch neo-Calvinist perspective, and engages with contemporary theologians such as Oliver O'Donovan, Karl Barth and Jurgen Moltmann. Comprehensive, with a focus on Creation's goodness and the future restoration of all things. Excellent footnotes throughout. Rooted in scripture and the Reformed tradition, this a great reference with excellent scriptural and author indexes.
Craig Bartholomew approaches the doctrine of creation from a Dutch neo-Calvinist perspective, and engages with contemporary theologians such as Oliver O'Donovan, Karl Barth and Jurgen Moltmann. Comprehensive, with a focus on Creation's goodness and the future restoration of all things. Excellent footnotes throughout. Rooted in scripture and the Reformed tradition, this a great reference with excellent scriptural and author indexes.
January 14, 2024
Worth the time and effort, whether or not you are a theologian. I read this in small bursts a few times a week over two years, and I found myself sharing ideas, quotes and excerpts almost every week. Taking time to read the Scripture references cited in the text turned this into an incredible journey of deepening my sense of the Creator and his love for us and all creation. Not a dusty tome….this book made my heart sing, and I am thankful to the authors for their diligence in writing it and to IVP for publishing it.
April 20, 2021
Some true gold in a few of these chapters. Half the time an interesting read, the other half very foundational. Almost rated it 5 stars..
April 8, 2025
I really enjoyed this book!
October 23, 2025
not worth the money i paid or the time i invested. his other books are much better
February 17, 2025
Not a bad book overall, but the omitted explanation of the different writing styles and separation of material in the beginning led to great confusion and often moments of doubt.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews