Reformed Dogmatics, 4-Volume Set (Deluxe Edition)

“The topics explored by Bavinck are still of the utmost importance, and he addresses them here in a theological voice that is amazingly fresh.”

“Bavinck's magisterial Reformed Dogmatics remains after a century the supreme achievement of its kind.”

“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 these volumes 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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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!”

“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.”

“Despite all the important contributions that Dutch Calvinists have made to North American Protestantism, Herman Bavinck remains an obscure figure, lagging behind the influential Abraham Kuyper. With the translation and republication of Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics, this unfortunate situation should change for the better. These four volumes demonstrate the importance and mastery of Bavinck's own contribution to Reformed theology, while providing a useful and striking point of comparison with the best-known twentieth-century Reformed dogmatics, that of Karl Barth. At a time when the scholastic nature of systematic theology has come under serious criticism, Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics reveals the advantage of careful and sustained reflection on Christian truth that is both faithful to the church and engaged with the academy. Readers will discover more than Bavinck the theologian in these volumes; they will learn about the God whom he worshiped and served.”

“Pastors and theologians will welcome the historic first complete translation of Herman Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics. . . . This masterful theological work is now available to passionate students of theology.”

“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.”

“At last, this model of Reformed theological scholarship is available in English to students of Reformed theology. . . . Bavinck evidences an extraordinary familiarity with the discussion of theological topics throughout the history of the church. . . . Only after a thorough canvassing of the biblical, historical, and confessional discussion of any particular topic does he arrive at a conclusion of his own. However, these qualities of meticulous and catholic scholarship, painstaking research, and consideration of the possible answers to a question, are among the reasons why Bavinck's Dogmatics continue to be a model for contemporary Reformed theologians. . . . It can only be hoped that, with the publication of Bavinck's Dogmatics in English, more readers will have access to the contributions of this remarkable theologian. Although readers will not always agree with Bavinck's conclusions, they will find him to be an outstanding model of Reformed theological scholarship--deeply rooted in the riches of scriptural revelation, sympathetically informed by the great confessions of the Reformed churches, instructed by the history of the church's reflection upon the Word of God, and carefully engaged with the broad range of contemporary challenges to the Christian faith. If readers learn anything from Bavinck, they should learn much about how the work of theology is to be conducted.”

“John Bolt, the editor, and John Vriend, the translator, have done the Christian church an inestimable service in bringing Herman Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics to the English-speaking world. The four volumes . . . are a systematic, richly biblical, deeply experiential and compellingly engaging exposition of God's revelation in Holy Scripture. Whether he is engaging with theological liberals, scientific/philosophical atheists, or with a fellow Calvinist like Abraham Kuyper, Bavinck wields the Scriptures with such insightful clarity that it is hard ever to think he could possibly be wrong! . . . It would be a mistake to think that these volumes belonged only in the minister's study. Certainly they are wonderful, even inspirational theology and will richly stimulate pastors as they seek to minister the whole counsel of God. But any thoughtful Christian would benefit greatly from dipping into Bavinck. . . . Here is theology at its best and most mind and heart engaging.”