Bavinck vs Berkhof vs ?

Ruxby · Dec 9, 2013

I've discovered Calvinism and it's been like a light going on for me! - illuminating my personal history and experience and more importantly the Bible.

As this has been a very recent development I've only had a chance to read a few things by R.C. Sproul & John Piper and am considering getting either the abridged Bavinck "Reformed Dogmatics" or Berkhof's "Systematic Theology" (in addition to Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian Religion".

What I'm hoping to find is the best biblically based exposition and defense. Is there much to choose from between Berkhof and Bavinck ? is anything else even better?

many thanks...

AndOne · Dec 9, 2013

Luther's "Bondage Of The Will" is essential reading for someone new to Reformed Theology. I would also recommend Pink's "The Sovereignty of God" - just make sure it's the Baker Books edition. My favorite Calvinist author is John Owen - but I wouldn't recommend reading him until you get through Calvin's "Institutes." Berkhoff's "Systematic Theology" is excellent. I have not read any Bavinck...

AMR · Dec 11, 2013

I would read Berkhof first. His is basically a summary of the massive Bavinck work.

http://books.biblicaltraining.org/Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof.pdf

JM · Dec 11, 2013

Personally, I found Berkhof dry. My vote is Bavinck. Calvin's Institutes (single volume edition) would trump both.

Apologetic_Warrior · Dec 17, 2013

Ruxby said:
I've discovered Calvinism and it's been like a light going on for me! - illuminating my personal history and experience and more importantly the Bible.

As this has been a very recent development I've only had a chance to read a few things by R.C. Sproul & John Piper and am considering getting either the abridged Bavinck "Reformed Dogmatics" or Berkhof's "Systematic Theology" (in addition to Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian Religion".

What I'm hoping to find is the best biblically based exposition and defense. Is there much to choose from between Berkhof and Bavinck ? is anything else even better?

many thanks...

Hi, for whatever it's worth, my two cents. Since it is a recent development for you, and unless you're already well versed in systematic theology with a solid understanding of terminology and the determination to plow through difficult reading, I couldn't recommend either systematic theology book, not for now, later. The best biblically based exposition and defense of Calvinism in modern language in print, in my opinion would be either "The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended, and Documented" by David N. Steele, Curtis C. Thomas, and S. Lance Quinn or "The Reformed Doctrine Of Predestination" by Loraine Boettner. Other contenders are, "What is Reformed Theology?" by R.C. Sproul, The Five Points of Calvinism by Edwin H. Palmer, The Five Dilemmas of Calvinism by Chris R. Brown. Read the Reviews at Amazon. There are so many great books to read. The more I read from A.W. Pink on Soteriology the more I enjoy reading his works. If I recommended a Systematic to someone new to Calvinism, "Salvation Belongs to the Lord: An Introduction to Systematic Theology" by John M. Frame would be high on the list. Anyway I hope you found something helpful.

RINO 72 · Dec 17, 2013

JM said:
Personally, I found Berkhof dry. My vote is Bavinck. Calvin's Institutes (single volume edition) would trump both.

I am just finishing up the second book of Institutes after what has seemed to be forever reading. So glad I have it in Ebook so it's easy to go back to the highlighted parts and I can listen to what I've read previously in my car via podcast. I have the Beveridge translation.

Ruxby · Dec 17, 2013

Apologetic_Warrior said:
[...] If I recommended a Systematic to someone new to Calvinism, "Salvation Belongs to the Lord: An Introduction to Systematic Theology" by John M. Frame would be high on the list. Anyway I hope you found something helpful.

Thanks very much for this. I might try reading this after I dig my way out from under the pile of books I already have!

May the Lord bless you and keep you; make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

twin1954 · Dec 18, 2013

If you want a foundation in theology that will last you an eternity find Gill's "Body of Divinity" and spend a lifetime reading it.

JM · Dec 18, 2013

twin1954 said:
If you want a foundation in theology that will last you an eternity find Gill's "Body of Divinity" and spend a lifetime reading it.

I have two copies. One to mark up and the other just for reading.

Ruxby · Dec 19, 2013

I found a free pdf by John Gill called "Body of Practical Divinity". Is that the one?

AMR · Dec 19, 2013

Ruxby said:
I found a free pdf by John Gill called "Body of Practical Divinity". Is that the one?

Yes that would be the one.

JM · Jan 6, 2014

Ruxby, what did you decide to purchase?

Ruxby · Jan 7, 2014

JM said:
Ruxby, what did you decide to purchase?

I bought both!

... I also discovered Reformed Theological Seminary's iPad app. It looks like they basically recorded the lectures and put them online for free! woohoo!

Bavinck vs Berkhof vs ?

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