When I reflect on my spiritual pilgrimage, Reformed thinkers come to mind
who became my mentors. The Dutch theologian Dr. Herman :Bavinck heads
the list. I was introduced to his theology through his magisterial work,
the four-volume "Gereformeerde Dogmatiek" (1906-1911) [Reformed
Dogmatics], a gift from a generous host at whose place I stayed for a
weekend during my studies at the Free University of Amsterdam. And over
the years I have added to my Bavinck collection. He wrote not only on
theology, but also on Christian politics and education, creation versus
evolution, psychology and the family. His works are still relevant for
the fierce spiritual battles raging in the 21st century. Writing at the
turn of the last century, he stated: "...the twentieth century. ..
[will] witness a gigantic conflict of spirits... between the old and the
new worldview." Bavinck foresaw the conflicts between the powers
of darkness and the Kingdom of God we witness today.
BAVINCK'S BACKGROUND
Herman Bavinck's father was a devout Secessionist minister, who lacked
a complete formal theological education; however, he was well versed in
Reformed theology. When Herman finished high school (gymnasium), he wanted
to study at the university in Leiden. But his father urged him to study
at least for one year at the Theological School in Kampen. Herman's decision
to study in Leiden, a centre of modernism, grieved many Secessionist leaders.
Some believed that Jan Bavinck compromised both school and church by letting
his son go to Leiden. But father and son persevered. Herman proved to
be a brilliant and diligent student, known for his piety. Although he
experienced liberalism as an enemy of Biblical Christianity and a challenge
to his faith, he stayed true to the Scriptures.
In 1880, he successfully defended his thesis "The Ethics of Zwingli"
and was granted the doctor of theology degree (cum laude). He accepted
a call to the 'Christelijke Gereformeerde church (Christian Reformed)
in Franeker. He served the congregation for a year and a half. His expository
sermons were well received and church attendance improved. His sermons
indicated that he had discovered the transformative power and reality
of the Gospel. He was a born teacher and speaker. He knew how to express
his thoughts in concrete form. At the age of 28 he was appointed as professor
of the Theological School in Kampen. He taught dogmatics, encyclopedia
of sacred theology, ethics and philosophy. Twenty years later he moved
to the Free University in Amsterdam to succeed Dr. Abraham Kuyper as professor
in dogmatics. In 1900 he became. the editor of "de Bazuin."
The articles he penned revealed his skill as a writer well versed in his
subject. He was unafraid of controversy. He said about his journalistic
work that whoever desires rest and peace should not become involved in
the tense and busy life of the press.
Bavinck was a brilliant scholar; yet a humble man with deep feelings and
a tender heart. He had an impressive knowledge of modern philosophical
and religious trends as well as of the history of ideas, both Christian
and non-Christian. He is one of the few 19th century Reformed theologians
whose works are still studied and discussed today. He had a deep love
for the Lord, His Word and His church.
Students of Bavinck's theology realize that he grieved over the divisions
and the constant struggles in the church. In 1888 he delivered a remarkable
address entitled The Catholicity of Christendom and Church. It showed
his broad vision of the church. He said that she "is one, and without
exception comprises all believers from all nations, from all ages and
from all places." Bavinck spoke of the church's captivating beauty.
And he said that a Christian who isolates himself within the narrow circle
of his own congregation or conventicle does not understand true catholicity
and will never experience her power and comfort in his own life. A Christian
cannot be narrow of heart and mind with respect to the Lord's church.
Bavinck warned against separatist and sectarian inclinations and against
the temptation to turn away from public life. Although he spoke movingly
about the catholicity of the church, he still remained thoroughly Reformed.
He didn't hesitate to engage in dialogue to show opponents of the Christian
faith why their arguments were wrong and unpersuasive. He was the first
Secessionist scholar who was able to contribute on the national level.
He did not become embroiled in polemics. He despised slogans. He spoke
truth in love, and was always respectful. His aim was to convince his
opponents of the truth of the Gospel and to do justice to their work.
The latter must have made an impact as on April 26, 1906 he was inducted
as a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences in recognition of his great
scholarly work. In 1911 he was elected Senator. The latter act recognized
his respected stature in Dutch society.
BAVINCK'S INFLUENCE
Dr. Bavinck became known beyond the Dutch borders. In 1892 he addressed
the Alliance of the Reformed Churches holding the Presbyterian System,
which met in Toronto. He also travelled to the United States to meet with
the famous Prof. Dr. B.B. Warfield and other scholars. In 1908 Bavinck
made his second trip to the United States. He was invited to deliver the
Stone lectures at the Princeton Seminary. These lectures, The Philosophy
of Revelation, were reprinted in 1953.
Bavinck left a lasting legacy with the Presbyterian and Reformed Churches
in North America. His most popular work in English has been his one-volume
summary of his dogmatics, Our Reasonable Faith, which reflects his devout
walk with the Lord. It was first published in 1956 and has been reprinted
in a paperback version several times. It has been widely used in evangelical
schools. Another booklet by Bavinck, The Certainty of Faith, has been
translated into English (Paideia, 1980). His dogmatics have not yet been
translated in their entirety. The recently founded Dutch Reformed Theological
Translation Society is involved in the translation and publication of
the complete set. One of Bavinck's leading disciples was Dr. Louis Berkhof,
professor of systematic theology and president of Calvin Theological Seminary
from 1926 to 1944. Berkhof relied heavily on Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics
in his well known Systematic Theology (Banner of Truth). Dr. Henry Zwaanstra
comments that in this work Berkhof often rearranged materials taken from
Bavinck's volumes and occasionally introduced a new division of the material.
Berkhof was also dependent on Bavinck for the names of most of the theologians
he mentioned and the scriptural references cited. Through the publication
of his Systematic Theology Berkhof became an internationally recognized
Reformed theologian. It is still being used in conservative Reformed and
evangelical schools until the present. And it has been translated into
Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese. In other words, through
Berkhof's popular work the theology of Bavinck had a great worldwide influence.
ORGANIC INSPIRATION
Bavinck was first and foremost a "Verbi divini minister," a
servant of the powerful and authoritative Word of God. He was well aware
that the Bible confronts modern man with many questions. Some have suggested
that Bavinck questioned the authority of Scripture. He never did. But
he did contribute to a new understanding of the organic inspiration of
Scripture. He said that often Christians think that the Bible suddenly
dropped from heaven. He pointed out that belief in the divine inspiration
of Scripture does not negate the role of human beings in its formation.
Hence, he spoke about the differences in style among the authors, their
natural gifts and life's experiences. Yet, he constantly emphasized the
normative relevance of Scripture for every sphere of life, including science.
Inspiration extends to all parts of Scripture. It is the Word of God.
Bavinck commented that it is "for that very reason also the Word
for the family and society, for science and art. Scripture is a book for
all humanity, in all its ranks and classes, in all its generations and
nations .... It speaks in the language of common discourse, understandable
to the simplest folk, clear for the educated and the uneducated alike.
It uses the language of perception, which will always continue to have
its place alongside that of science and the academy... It is old, without
ever aging; it always remains young and fresh; it is the language of life."
Bavinck declared that the Scripture demands submission and recognition.
QUEEN OF THE SCIENCES
Theologians tend to be influenced by fashionable trends. Modern academic
theologians try to avoid basing their arguments on the distinctive claims
of Scripture. Although Bavinck was well versed in the modernist trends
of his time, he did not succumb to their lure. He was a theologian of
the Word. And what he said about theology should serve as a reminder for
today's academic theologians. In 1899 he stated in a speech that a doctor
in theology is a servant of the church. His work consists of searching
the Scriptures defending its truth, the training of men aspiring to become
pastors, the perfecting of the saints in the building of the body of Christ.
He wholeheartedly embraced the historic Reformed position: the Sacred
Scripture is the source of theology. The Lord spoken! This is the starting
point of all theology!
Bavinck was a Reformed theologian, whose dogmatics were rooted in the
16th century Reformation. According to him, no confession was as Biblical,
broad, and truly catholic as the one of the historic Reformed churches.
Theology is more than a discussion of church, religion, etc. In theology
the church discovers her treasures. Without theology the church cannot
exist. Bavinck was convinced that the Reformed churches needed an independent
Reformed theology. Because, he said, "a church without a theology
is a body without a head." But without faith theology cannot exist.
for Bavinck, theology was still the queen of the sciences. He fiercely
resisted the secularization of theology, which was already an issue in
his time. Theology is born in the faith of the church and has the knowledge
of God as its content. The fear of the Lord is its key element. "Theology
is speaking about God, through God and to God." It is a positive
science, the knowledge of God in the face of Christ the Sent One of the
Father. Religion and theology are like Mary and Martha, both are needed
in the household of faith. Without the knowledge of God, there is no real
life. This knowledge must be continually broadened and made clearer, and
if necessary, cleansed through the Word. For this task theology is God's
ordained instrument. The study of theology is sacred work, a priestly
service in the house of the Lord, a consecration of heart and mind to
the glory of God. The church's and our personal confession of faith is
thoroughly theological - a confession of the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit. Doctrine, therefore. is nothing but the unfolding of what
God has revealed to us in His Triune Name and sealed in baptism. Whether
he addressed theologians or politicians, Bavinck was always the theologian.
For example, at the 1891 Christian Social Congress, he spoke about the
general Biblical principles and their practical implications, which can
offer a solution for social questions.
PREACH THE WORD
Bavinck confessed that the sermon was the most important part of the worship
service. The preaching of the Word of God is the determinative mark of
the church by which each congregation is formed. The sacraments are subordinate
to the Word. They are without value on their own. They are nothing less
and nothing more than the visible Word. Protestant churches are the churches
of the Word. Jesus rules through the Word and the Spirit, and specially
through the spoken word. Bavinck had little patience for pastors who did
not study. The congregation has the right to the hear the Word of God
explained. When the pulpit wants to regain its power, the preacher must
be a student of the Word, search it in all its riches and depth, in its
unity and diversity. Bavinck said that we know so little about the Scripture.
There are still so many hidden treasures never enjoyed as yet by the congregation.
Pastors are treasure hunters. The pastor who dares to come with a sermon
without diligent and proper preparation has not trembled before the majesty
of the Word! In other words: The study of the Word is the pastor's primary
duty. Congregations and pastors do not forget Bavinck's message to the
churches! Congregations should not be satisfied with sermonettes, stories
and anecdotes. Bavinck urges pastors to hasten, so that when the Son appears,
we can say to Him that we have kept His Word and have not denied His name,
and that we know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship
of His suffering.
CONCLUSION
Dr. Herman Bavinck did much for the renewal of Reformed theology. He was
a great theologian with a childlike faith, a disciple of Christ, a willing
student of the Word and a master teacher. After his death, his scholarly
contributions, his broad interest in culture, his staunch support for
Christian education and politics, and his defense of the Reformed faith
were duly noted. But many spoke also about his modesty, sincerity,tolerance
and meekness; a Christian scholar whose ambition was to live to the honour
and glory of his God.
Johan D. Tangelder
"Christian Renewal", January 29, 2001 with permission.
Herman Bavinck's "The Doctrine of God" is published by the
Banner of Truth.
408 pp. Cloth-bound.
