Systematic Theology
Expanded Edition: including Introductory volume to Systematic Theology
Weight | 2.6 lbs |
---|---|
Dimensions | 8.8 × 5.75 × 2.1 in |
ISBN | 9781848719941 |
Binding | Cloth-bound, eBook (ePub & Kindle), Cloth-bound & eBook (ePub & Kindle) |
Topic | General Theology |
Original Pub Date | 1958 |
Banner Pub Date | Aug 20, 2021 |
Page Count | 1,048 |
Scripture | Whole Bible |
Format | Book |
Endorsements
‘A model of order, precision, and (relative) brevity…you will not find a better one-volume systematic theology in the Reformed tradition. I re-read Berkhof as much anything else on this list.’ — KEVIN DEYOUNG
‘There are a number of systematic textbooks that have appeared since Louis Berkhof wrote, but nobody, it seems to me, matches Berkhof for his skill in saying much, very straightforwardly in a small space. He goes to the heart of every truth. He says it quickly…what Berkhof gives you is constantly, point after point, good stuff.’ — J.I. PACKER
Book Description
Louis Berkhof’s loyalty to the well-defined lines of the Reformed faith, his concise and compact style and his up-to date treatment have made this work the most important twentieth century compendium of Reformed theology. ‘The work seemed particularly important to me’, writes the author, ‘in view of the widespread doctrinal indifference of the present day, of the resulting superficiality and confusion in the minds of many professing Christians, of the insidious errors that are zealously propagated even from the pulpits, and of the alarming increase of all kinds of sects. If there ever was a time when the church ought to guard her precious heritage, the deposit of the truth that was entrusted to her care, that time is now’.
This expanded edition contains Berkhof’s Introductory Volume, which was designed to be read together with the Systematic Theology itself.
‘Objections have frequently been raised against a systematic presentation of the doctrinal truths of Scripture; and also in the present day some are decidedly averse to it. There seems to be a lurking fear that the more we systematize the truth, the farther we wander from the presentation of it that is found in the Word of God. But there is no danger of this, if the system is not based on the fundamental principles of some erring philosophy, but on the abiding principles of Scripture itself. God certainly sees the truth as a whole, and it is the duty of the theologian to think the truths of God after Him.’
— LOUIS BERKHOF in the Introductory Volume included with this edition.
Professor Berkhof died in 1957, at the age of 83. He was an outstanding American teacher and the author of some 22 books. After two pastorates, he began his long career as professor at Calvin Seminary, Grand Rapids, in 1906. Here he remained for 38 years, devoting his talents and immense stores of knowledge to the training of men for the ministry. His Systematic Theology was his magnum opus, being revised and enlarged during his lifetime until it reached its present final form.
Table of Contents Expand ↓
INTRODUCTORY VOLUME | ||
The Idea and History of Dogmatic Theology | ||
I. | Names Applied to the Systematic Presentation of Theology | 3 |
II. | The Nature of Dogmas | 6 |
III. | The Idea of Dogmatic Theology | 25 |
IV. | The Task, Method, and Distribution of Dogmatics | 44 |
V. | History of Dogmatics | 69 |
The Principia of Dogmatics | ||
I. | Principia in General | 87 |
II. | Religion | 93 |
III. | The Principium Cognoscendi Externum (Revelation) | 112 |
IV. | The Inspiration of Scripture | 142 |
V. | The Principium Cognoscendi Internum | 170 |
Select Literature | 189 | |
Index of Authors | 193 | |
Index of Subjects | 197 | |
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY | ||
Part One - THE DOCTRINE OF GOD | ||
The Being of God | ||
I. | The Existence of God: | 19 |
II. | The Knowability of God: | 29 |
III. | Relation of the Being and Attributes of God: | 41 |
IV. | The Names of God: | 47 |
V. | The Attributes of God in General: | 52 |
VI. | The Incommunicable Attributes: | 57 |
VII. | The Communicable Attributes: | 64 |
VIII. | The Holy Trinity: | 82 |
The Works of God | ||
I. | The Divine Decrees in General: | 100 |
II. | Predestination: | 109 |
III. | Creation in General: | 126 |
IV. | Creation of the Spiritual World: | 141 |
V. | Creation of the Material World: | 150 |
VI. | Providence: | 165 |
Part Two - THE DOCTRINE OF MAN IN RELATION TO GOD | ||
Man in His Original State | ||
I. | The Origin of Man: | 181 |
II. | The Constitutional Nature of Man: | 191 |
III. | Man as the Image of God: | 202 |
IV. | Man in the Covenant of Works: | 211 |
Man in the State of Sin | ||
I. | The Origin of Sin: | 219 |
II. | The Essential Character of Sin: | 227 |
III. | The Transmission of Sin: | 237 |
IV. | Sin in the Life of the Human Race: | 244 |
V. | The Punishment of Sin: | 255 |
Man in the Covenant of Grace | ||
I. | Name and Concept of the Covenant: | 262 |
II. | The Covenant of Redemption: | 265 |
III. | Nature of the Covenant of Grace: | 272 |
IV. | The Dual Aspect of the Covenant: | 284 |
V. | The Different Dispensations of the Covenant: | 290 |
Part Three - THE DOCTRINE OF THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST | ||
The Person of Christ | ||
I. | The Doctrine of Christ in History: | 305 |
II. | The Names and Natures of Christ: | 312 |
III. | The Unipersonality of Christ: | 321 |
The States of Christ | ||
I. | The State of Humiliation: | 331 |
II. | The State of Exaltation: | 344 |
The Offices of Christ | ||
I. | Introduction: The Prophetic Office: | |
II. | The Idea of the Offices in History | 356 |
III. | The Prophetic Office | 357 |
IV. | The Priestly Office: | |
V. | The Scriptural Idea of a Priest | 361 |
VI. | The Sacrificial Work of Christ | 362 |
VII. | The Cause and Necessity of the Atonement: | |
VIII. | The Moving Cause of the Atonement | 367 |
IX. | Historical Views Respecting the Necessity of the Atonement | 368 |
X. | Proofs for the Necessity of the Atonement | 370 |
XI. | Objections to the Doctrine of the Absolute Necessity of the Atonement | 371 |
The Nature of the Atonement: | ||
I. | A. Statement of the Penal Substitutionary Doctrine of the Atonement: | 373 |
II. | Divergent Theories of the Atonement: | 384 |
The Purpose and Extent of the Atonement: | 392 | |
III. | A. The Purpose of the Atonement | 392 |
B. The Extent of the Atonement | 393 | |
IV. | The Intercessory Work of Christ: | 400 |
V. | The Kingly Office: | 406 |
Part Four - THE DOCTRINE OF THE APPLICATION OF THE WORK OF REDEMPTION | ||
I. | Soteriology in General: | 415 |
II. | The Operation of the Holy Spirit in General: | 423 |
III. | Common Grace: | 432 |
III. | The Mystical Union: | 447 |
IV. | Calling in General and External Calling: | 454 |
V. | Regeneration and Effectual Calling: | 465 |
VI. | Conversion: | 480 |
VII. | Faith: | 493 |
VIII. | Justification: | 510 |
IX. | Sanctification: | 527 |
X. | Perseverance of the Saints: | 545 |
Part Five - THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH AND OF THE MEANS OF GRACE | ||
The Church | ||
I. | Scriptural Names of the Church and the Doctrine of the Church in History: | 555 |
II. | Nature of the Church: | 562 |
III. | The Government of the Church: | 579 |
IV. | The Power of the Church: | 593 |
The Means of Grace | ||
I. | The Means of Grace in General: | 604 |
II. | The Word as a Means of Grace: | 610 |
III. | The Sacraments in General: | 616 |
IV. | Christian Baptism: | 622 |
V. | The Lord's Supper: | 644 |
Part Six - THE DOCTRINE OF THE LAST THINGS | ||
Individual Eschatology | ||
I. | Introductory Chapter: | 661 |
II. | Physical Death: | 668 |
III. | The Immortality of the Soul: | 672 |
IV. | The Intermediate State: | 679 |
General Eschatology | ||
I. | The Second Coming of Christ: | 695 |
II. | Millennial Views: | 708 |
III. | The Resurrection of the Dead: | 720 |
IV. | The Final Judgment: | 728 |
V. | The Final State: | 735 |
Bibliography | 739 | |
Index of Authors | 747 | |
Index of Subjects | 751 |
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Endorsements ‘A model of order, precision, and (relative) brevity…you will not find a better one-volume systematic theology in the Reformed tradition. I re-read Berkhof as much anything else on this list.’ — KEVIN DEYOUNG ‘There are a number of systematic textbooks that have appeared since Louis Berkhof wrote, but nobody, it seems to me, matches […]
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Endorsements ‘A model of order, precision, and (relative) brevity…you will not find a better one-volume systematic theology in the Reformed tradition. I re-read Berkhof as much anything else on this list.’ — KEVIN DEYOUNG ‘There are a number of systematic textbooks that have appeared since Louis Berkhof wrote, but nobody, it seems to me, matches […]
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Endorsements ‘A model of order, precision, and (relative) brevity…you will not find a better one-volume systematic theology in the Reformed tradition. I re-read Berkhof as much anything else on this list.’ — KEVIN DEYOUNG ‘There are a number of systematic textbooks that have appeared since Louis Berkhof wrote, but nobody, it seems to me, matches […]
Robert Norman –
One of the finest ever Systematic Theologies in history. Modern attempts almost never come close.
Dr Paul Godden –
Truely excellent read and a valuable study aid.
Les Beech –
What a great read. I was given a paperback edition many years ago and found it very difficult to understand. Reccomend this edition as it really opens up theology. Don’t be put off by the size well worth taking on the challenge you will not be disappointed.
Richard C Ross –
The Banner of Truth offer us two impressive one volume systematic theologies – Louis Berkhof and R. L. Dabney – and A. A. Hodge’s Outline of Theology. All three display the expected qualities of theological brevity, systematic order, logical clarity, biblical ‘soundness’ and faithfulness to the Word of God. To commend any one would almost be arrogant. They have proved their worth. The fact that I personally value Dabney above the others is neither here or there.
But a word of caution is in place – and I have a hunch that all three authors would want us to be cautious in reading their lectures and writings. Systematics is a wholly artificial way of doing theology. It is a method that is foreign to the scriptures and, as such, carries certain dangers. The greatest danger is to lose sight of the ‘arcane’, mysterious, apophatic character of all Christian truth. Systematic theology has an unavoidable tendency to shrink transcendent truth. Too easily, reading this or that section, we imagine we’ve ‘got it’ and we run the danger of theological hubris. So it is as well to have within easy reach a copy of Geerhardus Vos’s Biblical Theology, an altogether outstanding work.
Gary Mee –
I received this book today 2/15/22, together with Calvin’s Institues, both in perfect as-new condition. The packaging was OUTSTANDING. Amazon should take a lesson from Banner of Truth in this regard.
The books speak for themselves as to their value, and should be studied by any serious Christian desiring “to go deeper.”
Jeffrey Tomkins –
I am a doctoral student in Biblical languages and theology and this is one of my top resources I go to for sound and insightful doctrinal exposition. I also love the fact that Berkhof puts the scriptures above human reasoning and secular philosophies as the final authority of our faith.