Description
Recent discussions of creation have centered on the skirmishes between creationists and evolutionists. However, as the editor of this volume points out, there is much more to the Christian doctrine of creation than scientific battles about origins and the age of the earth.
To Herman Bavinck, the doctrine of creation, affirming the distinction between the Creator and his creature, is the starting point of true religion. Though Bavinck’s In the Beginning contains relevant treatments of frequently addressed topics, such as evolution, Darwinism, and the age of humanity, it also broadens the theological discussion of creation by exploring other elements of this essential doctrine, including angels and the spiritual world, the image of God in humans, the destiny of creation and humanity, and Gods providential care over creation.
Herman Bavinck stands as one of history’s finest Reformed theologians, yet his writings are only now being made available in English. In the Beginning: Foundations of Creation Theology is the second installment in the Dutch Reformed Translation Society’s translation of Bavincks classic Gereformeerde Dogmatiek (Reformed Dogmatics). The first installment is The Last Things.
296 Pages
Editorial Reviews
As a Calvinistic geologist, I’ve wanted all my professional life to know what Bavinck had to say about the biblical doctrine of creation and its implications for the historical natural sciences, like geology, astronomy, and paleontology. What a treat at last to read his perceptive and carefully nuanced treatment of the doctrine of creation… Bavinck displays remarkable familiarity with the scientific currents of his time, and even though his understanding of turn-of-the-century geology is partially flawed, his analysis of the issues of the antiquity of the Earth, evolution, the deluge, death before the Fall, and the nature of humans is, nevertheless, full of important insights. Because geology, biology, astronomy, and biblical studies have considerably advanced since Bavinck’s day, readers may not agree in every instance with his positions, but they will always be enriched and challenged by his carefully balanced discussions of the issues. — Davis A. Young, professor of geology, Calvin College
This is a theological feast! Bavinck was a first-rate theologian who speaks here to issues that are as timely today as they were a century ago. Theological reflection on the nature and scope of Gods creating work does not get any better than this. — Richard J. Mouw
About the Author
Herman Bavinck (HT: ReformationArt.com)
John Bolt
Herman Bavinck (18541921) taught theology at the Theological School in Kampen, The Netherlands, and at the Free University of Amsterdam for almost forty years. At the Free University he succeeded the famous theologian and politician Abraham Kuyper. Among Bavinck’s most influential publications were Reformed Dogmatics and Our Reasonable Faith.
John Bolt is professor of theology at Calvin Theological Seminary, an editor of Calvin Theological Journal, and executive editor of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. John Vriend has been a full-time translator since 1982. Among the authors he has translated are G. C. Berkouwer and Hendrikus Berkhof.
Mid-Cities Presbyterian Church Library 