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Daily Devotions with Herman Bavinck: Believing and Growing in Christian Faith
Herman Bavinck (1854-1921) was one of the most significant Reformed theologians of his time and continues to be a significant figure today. Intended both for personal and group use, this devotional reflects on quotations from Bavinck in order to deepen readers' understanding and faith. Each of the eighty-four entries also includes a biblical passage to read and a prayer point or question for discussion.
- GenresTheologyDevotional
232 pages, Paperback
Published March 15, 2023
19 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Donald K. McKim
84 books12 followersDonald K. McKim is an American Presbyterian theologian and editor. He works as Academic and Reference Editor for Westminster John Knox Press.
McKim studied at Westminster College, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and the University of Pittsburgh. He has taught at Memphis Theological Seminary and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.
McKim is known for his 1979 book The Authority and Interpretation of the Bible: An Historical Approach. Co-authored with Jack B. Rogers, it was Eternity magazine's "Book of the Year" in 1980. In the book, Rogers and McKim argued that the Bible was infallible but not inerrant.
Donald Keith McKim was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania to Keith Beatty and Mary Alisan (Leslie) McKim.
McKim studied at Westminster College, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and the University of Pittsburgh. He has taught at Memphis Theological Seminary and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.
McKim is known for his 1979 book The Authority and Interpretation of the Bible: An Historical Approach. Co-authored with Jack B. Rogers, it was Eternity magazine's "Book of the Year" in 1980. In the book, Rogers and McKim argued that the Bible was infallible but not inerrant.
Donald Keith McKim was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania to Keith Beatty and Mary Alisan (Leslie) McKim.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 24, 2023
I am by nature rather eclectic in my theological perspective. So, I am open to hearing a variety of theological voices, and receiving from them valued perspectives, though hopefully with great discernment. I offer this caveat to this review of Donald K. McKim, a book of daily devotions based on the writings and perspectives of the Dutch Reformed theologian Herman Bavinck. I have known Bavinck's name but have spent little time with him. I expect the same to be true for many others. With this volume, we get a sampling of Bavinck's theology covering a wide variety of topics. Whether you are Calvinist or Reformed I believe will find words of wisdom enshrined in the devotions.
This volume is the work of Donald K. McKim, a Presbyterian (PCUSA) minister, theologian, and author/editor. He has written or edited numerous books, from the scholarly to the devotional. Often the devotional works have drawn from well-known figures including John Calvin -- Coffee with Calvin: Daily Devotions and Karl Barth Breakfast with Barth: Daily Devotions. Now, he adds Herman Bavinck.
Bavinck (1854-1921) was Abraham Kuyper's successor at the Free University of Amsterdam and author of a number of theological works, including his four-volume Reformed Dogmatics Volume 1 : Prolegomena. McKim first became acquainted with Bavinck as a college student and he has found Bavinck a helpful conversation partner since then. Of this volume and similar theological devotional books McKim has authored in recent years, he notes that he has tried "to acquaint readers with the thoughts of major theologians by providing a discussion of a few sentences from their writings. I hope to explain what the theologian meant and combine this with comments about the importance of these thoughts for our Christian Living today" (p. 11). With regard to Bavinck, McKim notes that Bavinck was a "stalwart proponent of the Reformed faith rooted in the Protestant Reformation and expressed in sixteenth-century Reformers such as John Calvin and Heinrich Bullinger as well as their theological successors" (pp. 11-12).
In many ways, Bavinck will come across as conservative or traditional, and yet as McKim shares in these devotions, there is a living faith present that can speak to our time. The goal here is to offer insights that will deepen our Christian understanding. That is a worthy goal, even if we might not embrace every element of Bavinck's theology. Nevertheless, as I read through the eighty-four reflections, each of which is two pages in length, I found much that was helpful and insightful, even to this non-Calvinist follower of Jesus.
As noted McKim has written eighty-four devotions, each is two pages in length. He divides the devotions into two parts. Part One is titled "Believing as a Christian." Part Two is titled "Living as a Christian." Thus, the first forty-two devotions take on a more theological focus. We explore such theological concepts as the nature of Scripture, the nature of God, divine providence, sin, Christology, and salvation. In part two we read more about salvation and what it means to live the Christian life. There are devotions speaking of righteousness in Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, the Church, union with Christ, Good works, the centrality of love to our understanding of God, and the living the Christian life. While each devotion begins with a scripture reference and ends with a reflection point asking us to review the message of the devotion along with a call to prayer, McKim draws on quotations from the writings of Bavinck as the foundation for the devotional. In addition, interspersed throughout the devotional are longer excerpts, usually a paragraph or two in length, from Bavinck's writings, that serve as guideposts along the way.
In McKim's capable hands, this Dutch neo-Calvinist theologian offers the reader theologically deep reflections that can be used to deepen one's faith and Christian life. What McKim does here is remind us that theology is not an abstraction that has no bearing on daily life. What we believe influences the way we act. I appreciate the reminder that we are in fact sinners, and that sin affects even our best efforts in life. thus, as McKim notes, drawing on Bavinck, love of neighbor, though commanded of us by Jesus, isn't natural. Thus, he quotes Bavinck: "Love for one's neighbor can only be sustained if, on the one hand, it is founded in and imposed on us by God's commandment, and if, on the other hand, that same God gives us the desire in our hearts to walk in sincerity according to all his commandments" (p. 210). What we learn in these devotions is that God is acting in our midst, guiding and empowering us to mature into true followers of Jesus.
I suppose this will not speak to everyone, but for those willing to listen for insights, discerningly of course, this devotional guide can prove valuable. As one who believes that theology is important to the Christian life, this volume truly reinforces that message.
This volume is the work of Donald K. McKim, a Presbyterian (PCUSA) minister, theologian, and author/editor. He has written or edited numerous books, from the scholarly to the devotional. Often the devotional works have drawn from well-known figures including John Calvin -- Coffee with Calvin: Daily Devotions and Karl Barth Breakfast with Barth: Daily Devotions. Now, he adds Herman Bavinck.
Bavinck (1854-1921) was Abraham Kuyper's successor at the Free University of Amsterdam and author of a number of theological works, including his four-volume Reformed Dogmatics Volume 1 : Prolegomena. McKim first became acquainted with Bavinck as a college student and he has found Bavinck a helpful conversation partner since then. Of this volume and similar theological devotional books McKim has authored in recent years, he notes that he has tried "to acquaint readers with the thoughts of major theologians by providing a discussion of a few sentences from their writings. I hope to explain what the theologian meant and combine this with comments about the importance of these thoughts for our Christian Living today" (p. 11). With regard to Bavinck, McKim notes that Bavinck was a "stalwart proponent of the Reformed faith rooted in the Protestant Reformation and expressed in sixteenth-century Reformers such as John Calvin and Heinrich Bullinger as well as their theological successors" (pp. 11-12).
In many ways, Bavinck will come across as conservative or traditional, and yet as McKim shares in these devotions, there is a living faith present that can speak to our time. The goal here is to offer insights that will deepen our Christian understanding. That is a worthy goal, even if we might not embrace every element of Bavinck's theology. Nevertheless, as I read through the eighty-four reflections, each of which is two pages in length, I found much that was helpful and insightful, even to this non-Calvinist follower of Jesus.
As noted McKim has written eighty-four devotions, each is two pages in length. He divides the devotions into two parts. Part One is titled "Believing as a Christian." Part Two is titled "Living as a Christian." Thus, the first forty-two devotions take on a more theological focus. We explore such theological concepts as the nature of Scripture, the nature of God, divine providence, sin, Christology, and salvation. In part two we read more about salvation and what it means to live the Christian life. There are devotions speaking of righteousness in Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, the Church, union with Christ, Good works, the centrality of love to our understanding of God, and the living the Christian life. While each devotion begins with a scripture reference and ends with a reflection point asking us to review the message of the devotion along with a call to prayer, McKim draws on quotations from the writings of Bavinck as the foundation for the devotional. In addition, interspersed throughout the devotional are longer excerpts, usually a paragraph or two in length, from Bavinck's writings, that serve as guideposts along the way.
In McKim's capable hands, this Dutch neo-Calvinist theologian offers the reader theologically deep reflections that can be used to deepen one's faith and Christian life. What McKim does here is remind us that theology is not an abstraction that has no bearing on daily life. What we believe influences the way we act. I appreciate the reminder that we are in fact sinners, and that sin affects even our best efforts in life. thus, as McKim notes, drawing on Bavinck, love of neighbor, though commanded of us by Jesus, isn't natural. Thus, he quotes Bavinck: "Love for one's neighbor can only be sustained if, on the one hand, it is founded in and imposed on us by God's commandment, and if, on the other hand, that same God gives us the desire in our hearts to walk in sincerity according to all his commandments" (p. 210). What we learn in these devotions is that God is acting in our midst, guiding and empowering us to mature into true followers of Jesus.
I suppose this will not speak to everyone, but for those willing to listen for insights, discerningly of course, this devotional guide can prove valuable. As one who believes that theology is important to the Christian life, this volume truly reinforces that message.
January 29, 2025
Anyone who knows of Herman Bavinck has probably read his works. Thus, I say with C.S. Lewis, "For my own part, I tend to find the doctrinal books often more helpful in devotion than the devotional books, and I rather suspect that the same experience may await many others. I believe that many who find that 'nothing happens' when they sit down, or kneel down, to a book of devotion, would find that the heart sings unbidden while they are working their way through a tough bit of theology with a pipe in their teeth and a pencil in their hand."
September 1, 2023
Thought this devotional might be a simple way to be exposed to some Herman Bavinck quotes. Goal accomplished.
May 1, 2023
What did Bavinck believe about Christian living? In Daily Devotions with Herman Bavinck, Donald K. McKim writes on believing and growing in Christian faith.
Herman Bavinck was a Dutch Reformed theologian. Known for his dogmatic works, McKim helps draw out the devotional side of his faith. He offers his reflections on quotes by Bavinck by incorporating them into devotions. Taken together, they show how theology has real-life implications for Christians today.
Truth and Wisdom
The devotions are short at just around 2 pages each, but they are stuffed with truth and wisdom. Either a reflection question, reflection point, or prayer point is included at the end of each devotion — helping to make these readings personal.
What I love most about the book is how it serves as a sort of mini systematic theology. The book is divided into two halves, Believing and Growing — but it is also subdivided into categories such as The Divine Trinity, Divine Providence, The Work of Christ, New Life in Christ, The Church, and Salvation. The amount of theological ground covered in this book is astounding.
Joy and Gratitude
I was most interested to read how Bavinck saw that “the time that elapses between his first and second coming is one continuous coming of Christ to the world.” Through the church, Christ carries out his work. And this is something to be celebrated! In fact, there is an overall feeling of joy and gratitude weaved throughout this book. It was a blessing to read.
This book will give you a steady dose of daily Reformed theology while introducing you to the thoughts of one of its greatest theologians.
I received a media copy of Daily Devotions with Herman Bavinck and this is my honest review.
Herman Bavinck was a Dutch Reformed theologian. Known for his dogmatic works, McKim helps draw out the devotional side of his faith. He offers his reflections on quotes by Bavinck by incorporating them into devotions. Taken together, they show how theology has real-life implications for Christians today.
Truth and Wisdom
The devotions are short at just around 2 pages each, but they are stuffed with truth and wisdom. Either a reflection question, reflection point, or prayer point is included at the end of each devotion — helping to make these readings personal.
What I love most about the book is how it serves as a sort of mini systematic theology. The book is divided into two halves, Believing and Growing — but it is also subdivided into categories such as The Divine Trinity, Divine Providence, The Work of Christ, New Life in Christ, The Church, and Salvation. The amount of theological ground covered in this book is astounding.
Joy and Gratitude
I was most interested to read how Bavinck saw that “the time that elapses between his first and second coming is one continuous coming of Christ to the world.” Through the church, Christ carries out his work. And this is something to be celebrated! In fact, there is an overall feeling of joy and gratitude weaved throughout this book. It was a blessing to read.
This book will give you a steady dose of daily Reformed theology while introducing you to the thoughts of one of its greatest theologians.
I received a media copy of Daily Devotions with Herman Bavinck and this is my honest review.
April 5, 2024
Good introduction to Bavinck though the devotions are the author’s interpretation of Bavinck’s quotes. Covers the breadth of his systematic theology.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews