After the surprising translation of the four volumes of his Dogmatics reformed at the beginning of this century, interest in the reformed theologian Herman Bavinck (1854-1921) grew exponentially. In fact, it is as if Bavinck’s fate has more influence than the 21st century. The 19th century, during which he wrote most of his dogmatic work. A steady flow of new translations and editions of his other works has emerged (e. g. Saved by Grace, Essays on Religion, Science and Society, the Christian Family, in Preachers and Preaching, Philosophy of Revelation, Reformed Ethics, Sacrifice of Praise, Christian Vision of the World).
But there is a book that has been almost forgotten in this flood of interest and enthusiasm. Translated by Henry Zylstra and originally published in English by Eerdmans in 1956 under the title Our Reasonable Faith, this book of systematic theology depicts Bavinck’s distillation of his four volume magnum opus. Although available in English for more than 50 years, it has remained largely forgotten outside the walls of the renovated seminaries.
- The reasons for this forgetfulness are mysterious.
- Because this book is probably the best systematic theology reformed into a single volume ever produced.
- Therefore.
- It is very good that Westminster Seminary Press restored the original title (Magnalia Dei or The Wonders of God) and reissued it in a format worthy of such a book.
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Inside, there is a new typography for Zylstra translation and much more. Westminster seminary professor R. Carlton Wynne presents Bavinck’s work and the context of the book well, and Nataniel Gray Sutanto translates for the first time the preface written by Bavinck himself, which Zylstra omitted.
The most useful is the huge index of biblical topics and references compiled by Charles Williams, which increases the usefulness of the book for students and researchers.
As for the content, as already mentioned, is Bavinck’s own distinction of the four volumes of his Dogmatics reformed into a single volume, but this may be misleading: it is not a summary of the four volumes, in fact, this is Bavinck’s original reformulation of his dogmatic work for a secular audience. In 1910, one critic put it this way: “Only a scholar could have written this book, but he hid his tools. “Bavinck has set aside his cooking utensils so that only the dish appears) are minimized and what shines above all is his supreme dependence on Sacred Scripture.
Its chapters are organized almost as if it were a catechism, starting with “God, the supreme good” and ending with “eternal life”. In the meantime, there are common themes of systematic theology: revelation, Scripture, God, humanity, sin, the person and work of Christ, justification, sanctification, church, etc.
One of the difficulties with Bavinck’s broader work is that he interacts so charitably with his varied opponents that sometimes it is difficult to discern what he himself says, which he really thinks of several points. This is not a problem in The Wonders of God. As a teacher par excellence, Bavinck writes more clearly, directly, deeply, pastorally and also pleases the reader.
For many, huh? Systematic theology, perhaps especially when it comes to reformed theology!It’s a grueling and even suspicious discipline. It recalls complicated analytical arguments in logical syllogisms, an abstract attempt to treat the Bible as a scientific experiment or, worse, an artificial list of predestined “evidence texts” to arrive precisely where the theologian had decreed that they would arrive. Bavinck is a relief at this point. The wonders of God are not a “scholastic” work, in the classical sense of the word.
As an author should do, it addresses doctrinal topics one by one, but the general impression is that it tells a unified story, which develops organically and, remembering the title, the protagonist of this great story is God himself. In fact, doesn’t Bavinck teach “doctrines”? Christian; explores God’s works. Consider a randomly chosen passage that presents the doctrines of creation and providence:
Scripture does not want to give us an abstract concept of divinity, but it wants to put us all personally in touch with the living and true God. Scripture breaks with our notions and concepts, taking us back to God Himself. Therefore, Scripture does not, speak of God, but it presents it to us and shows it in all the works of his hands, it is as if Scripture means to look up and contemplate the one who did all these things, from the beginning are the invisible things, his eternal power and divinity. carefully differentiated from the creatures, the things that were created. We learn not to know and glorify God regardless of his works, but by and in his works in nature and grace.
This aspect of devotion may not be common in most systematic theologies, but it is characteristic of the Wonders of God. Christian families should have a reference book or guide to help understand the Bible and theology and to consult for confusing or difficult questions. Many books provide mind-satisfying answers; even better is the book that takes these answers seriously to incite worship and praise.
There is another notable aspect to what Bavinck did. In his approval, John Bolt notes that “specialized training is not needed to understand and appreciate this work”, but the significant thing is that those with specialized training will find much here to challenge and reward them. It’s a rare book on a popular level that overcomes the challenge of attracting the expert’s attention, but that’s exactly what Bavinck has produced. I remember reading the chapters on justification and sanctification very well during my seminary and was impressed by his cautious approach to extremely difficult subjects and I return several times to this book. I am so grateful to have this beautiful new format now.
Bavinck wanted his reformed dogmatics to be in the academic library that God’s wonders were in the family library. The first goal has already been largely achieved, and now Westminster Seminary Press has done its part for the latter. a book with more enthusiasm.
The Portuguese edition of The Wonders of God is available in Portuguese exclusively at The Pilgrim.