"Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics has been the fountainhead of Reformed theology for the last hundred years. It is by far the most profound and comprehensive Reformed systematic theology of the twentieth century. The reader will be amazed by Bavinck's erudition, creativity, and balance. Bavinck is confessionally orthodox, but he recognizes the need to rethink the traditional formulations from Scripture in the context of contemporary discussion. I hope these volumes will have a large readership and will bring forth much theological and spiritual fruit."
- John M. Frame, professor of systematic theology and philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary, and former professor, Westminster Theological Seminary
"Bavinck's Dutch masterwork was the Everest of which the textbooks by Louis Berkhof and Auguste Leoerf were foothills and Berkouwer's studies in dogmatics were outliers. Like Augustine, Calvin, and Edwards, Bavinck was a man of giant mind, vast learning, ageless wisdom and great expository skill. Solid but lucid, demanding but satisfying, broad and deep and sharp and stabilizing, Bavinck's magisterial Reformed Dogmatics remains after a century the supreme achievement of its kind."
- J. I. Packer, professor of theology, Regent College
"I've seen nothing for a long time that compares with this work. . . . Bavinck's command of the theological literature of the whole Christian church, through all of its history, is truly amazing. He continually brings forth nuggets of wisdom from theologians of virtually every tradition. His incredible erudition has produced his carefulness, accuracy, and balance. His discussions are cogent and satisfying, and his conclusions are judicious. . . . I am also impressed by the clarity of this work. Credit for that is partly due to the translators. . . . It is no wonder that this work has long been regarded as the best statement of the Reformed system of doctrine since Calvin's Institutes. Although the original edition of these volumes is now a hundred years old, it is amazing how useful Bavinck is for our generation. . . . It is hard to read Bavinck without feeling that he is speaking directly to the churches of our day. Not many books written today give as many helpful insights as these volumes by Bavinck. I already regard them as my most valuable theological resource. . . . I hope that every pastor and every other serious student of theology will obtain and carefully study Herman Bavinck's magnum opus."
- G. I. Williamson, New Horizons
"The theological world has been blessed by being the recipients of the translation of . . . Herman Bavinck's magnum opus the Gereformeerde Dogmatiek in English. As one who has read the entire 4-volume Dutch work from cover to cover 5-6 times, I can attest to the fine job of editing and translating John Bolt and John Vriend have done, respectively. . . . John Bolt has performed a great service by his editorial introductions and notes in the English translation. Far from hindering the reader's grasp of the material, Dr. Bolt provides us with highly helpful and pertinent comments in each of the chapters of material. By the same token, the translation team has done an admirable job in what is often a thankless task of a kind of theological midwifery. What is of greater import, however, is that the translation team was able to put older Dutch into a highly readable English format. . . . These volumes have been anticipated by the theological world for a long time and now that they are available, it would behoove every professor, theological student, Elder, and serious Christian to purchase them. . . . It would not be saying too much to state that reading any chapter of [Reformed Dogmatics] will have the effect of thoroughly grounding the Christian in the most important aspects of the subject under discussion. The reader is more fully equipped to understand the motivations as well as the theological constructions behind each of the respective movements. What this translates into is a theological orientation from a decidedly well-balanced Reformed persuasion that enables the reader to critique more modern 20th and 21st century theologies and theologians. . . . You will find yourself taking these volumes from the shelf and pouring over the rich history of dogma, the profound and continued use of Scripture, and the thorough grasp of theology and theological positions that Herman Bavinck offers. . . . John Bolt and John Vriend have done us the great service of putting the works of this outstanding Dutch theologian into our hands in the English language. You will only be the richer for studying Bavinck's theology."
- Ron Gleason, Reformation21
"The continued translation of Bavinck's masterful theological exposition is to be welcomed by all who care about theology and its service to the church"
- R. Albert Mohler Jr., Preaching
"Herman Bavinck has often been unjustly overshadowed by Abraham Kuyper, especially in the English-speaking world. The unavailability in English of his crowning work, Gereformeerde Dogmatiek, has been a particularly significant lack. Bavinck's breadth, thoroughness, rigor, ecumenical interests, and spiritual fervor are clearly on display in this careful and readable translation. It is a splendid gift to theological studies and will contribute to redressing the neglect of this faithful servant of Christ and his church."
- Stephen R. Spencer, Wheaton College
"A welcome addition to the works of Bavinck in English."
- Donald G. Bloesch, emeritus professor of theology, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
"What a wonderful gift to the English-speaking theological world! The topics explored by Bavinck are still of the utmost importance, and he addresses them here in a theological voice that is amazingly fresh. I pray that the appearance of this volume signals the beginnings of a Bavinck revival!"
- Richard J. Mouw, president, Fuller Theological Seminary
"Finally Bavinck becomes available to the English-speaking world. The Dutch version has been a constant stimulus for students, pastors, and other interested Christians. It has shaped generations of theologians and helped them to preach, think, and act on a fresh, Reformed basis. The strength of Bavinck's dogmatics is that it's neither conservative nor progressive, but its biblical character makes it constantly up-to-date. Baker and the Dutch Reformed Translation Society deserve praise for this project, from which without doubt church and theology will profit for years to come."
- Herman Selderhuis, Theologische Universiteit Appeldoorn
"Bavinck is one of the premier Reformed theologians, but till now much of his magnum opus has not been accessible to English-language readers. We owe a great debt of gratitude to those who have made the treasures of Bavinck's thought available to a new world of appreciative hearers."
- Donald K. McKim, editor, Encyclopedia of the Reformed Faith
"Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics continues to be the standard of modern orthodox dogmatics in the Reformed tradition. It not only is encompassing in content but also shows everywhere a profound insight into the basic problems that a Reformed theology has to face and a deep sensitivity for modern culture. The combination of both made his work famous, and studying his work is fruitful also for a new generation."
- Cornelis van der Kooi, Free University, Amsterdam
Recommended by Sinclair Ferguson of Westminster Theological Seminary.
See all of Dr. Ferguson's recommendations.
Recommended by Richard B. Gaffin of Westminster Theological Seminary.
See all of Dr. Gaffin's recommendations.
Recommended by Lane Tipton of Westminster Theological Seminary.
See all of Dr. Tipton's recommendations.
[Written upon the publication of volume 1:] Arguably the most important systematic theology ever produced in the Reformed tradition - I have found it to be the most valuable. English-speaking theology throughout the 20th century until now has been singularly impoverished by not having at its disposal a translation of Bavinck's Dogmatiek in its entirety. The appearance of this volume, with the remaining three planned to follow in the near future, will be an incomparable boon for generations of students, pastors, teachers and others, serving to deepen understanding and enrich reflection in both historical and systematic theology. -Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. - Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia
Faculty Review: This is one of those seminal works that embodies a significant portion of our Reformed theological heritage. We all should rejoice to see this material finally available in English and to know that more is coming! - Samuel T. Logan Jr., President Emeritus, Westminster Theological Seminary
Staff Review: Dutch Reformed theologian Herman Bavinck's magisterial Reformed Dogmatics has finally begun publication in English with the release of Volume One: Prolegomena by Baker Book House and the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. While originally published at the end of the nineteenth century, this new English translation clearly demonstrates Bavinck's mastery of the Christian theological tradition and reveals a work that is amazingly relevant for our times. None of the material in this volume has ever been available before in English and its publication reveals a mind steeped in both Scripture and the history of dogma. The whole range of introductory issues are dealt with here, including a cogent defense of the legitimacy of dogmatics compared with Biblical theology. Especially helpful is the in-depth treatment of the external (Scripture) and internal (Spirit wrought faith) foundations for dogmatics. Long appreciated by the Dutch theological community, Bavinck's rich theological ore can now be mined by English speaking Christians to their great benefit and growth in grace. - Jeff Waddington - Westminster Bookstore Staff
Staff Review: Theological prolegomena can be as dry as dust. But the context of the wider intellectual world demands from Christianity an explanation of its first principles. In its encyclopaedic and catholic breadth, spiritual and Trinitarian depth, Bavinck's work is a milestone. - Matthew Harmon, Westminster Bookstore Staff, August 2006
