The Deacon: The Biblical Roots and the Ministry of Mercy Today

“Cornelis Van Dam has done for the deacon what he did earlier for the elder: written an invaluable resource for anyone who wishes to have a biblically based, historically grounded, and eminently sensible contemporary description of the diaconate. I was impressed by the broad and up-to-date scholarship (both biblical and historical) on which it is based, the straightforward language in which it is written, and the practical good sense with which it is laced. Another one of the books strengths, given the authors academic specialty, is that the Old Testament is not neglected. In fact, the eye-opening first part of the book is a short biblical theology of the diaconate, which sets the stage for the entire work. At the same time, Van Dam deals with a host of practical issues which confront the deacon in contemporary Western society. I personally found especially valuable his survey of the history of the diaconate, which shows considerable variation in practice not only in the history of the church generally but also within the Reformed/Presbyterian tradition. I recommend it warmly to a wide readership.”

“What are deacons? In a lot of churches, they are junior elders. What is really needed is a fuller study of the office as it unfolds from the Old Testament into the New. Besides careful exegesis and a sharp eye for the unfolding drama of redemption, there needs to be a solid grasp of the historical development of the office in the church. Finally, we need the wisdom of experience in the life of actual churches to deal with issues that we face in churches today. All of these prerequisites are fulfilled in this immensely readable and wise volume. After serving us so well with his book on elders, Professor Van Dam now invites us to rediscover the potential of a biblically defined and robust diaconate. I hope this book enjoys the widest readership.”

“In Christian literature on the offices of the church, eldership has usually received the lion's share of reflection and discussion, an understandable situation in view of the amount of material on this subject in the New Testament. Yet the other New Testament office, the diaconate, is also an apostolic institution and well deserving of significant ecclesial reflection, especially in view of its service to the poor. This new study by Cornelis Van Dam provides such reflection, covering, as it does, the Old Testament roots of the office, the entire range of material about deacons in the New Testament, and the varied historical expressions of the diaconate. This is a solid, well-argued study that will be of great benefit to the church as a whole and to deacons in particular. Highly recommended!”

“Dr. Van Dam has provided the modern church with a much-needed work on the office of the deacon. In a day and age when pastors and their congregations are confused about what a biblical deacon doesand does not doDr. Van Dam brings clarity by providing the Old Testament background for the New Testament deacon as well as a treatment of the office of the deacon in the history of the church. This is a book for professors, pastors, seminary students, diaconates, and congregations. I highly recommend this timely work!”

“Deacons are Christs priestly heart and arms of mercy reaching to, embracing, and showing compassion to the poor and afflicted. Unfortunately, there are few helpful, compelling books on the deacons office today. This one is a notable exception. Drawing from his careful research in Holy Scripture and Christian history, Cornelis Van Dam lays out a clear and compelling case for what diaconal ministry should look like today. Highly recommended!”

“Dr. Van Dams book is an excellent treatment of the work of deacons. Writing from a Reformed perspective, he discusses the biblical foundations (both Old and New Testament), church-historical developments, and practical aspects of the work of deacons today. I plan to prescribe this book as a textbook for diaconal studies at seminary. While the content is rooted in scholarly research, it is written in such a way that deacons, deacons-in-training, and interested church members will enjoy reading and studying the book.”