« more discussions

• 

  Introducing G C Berkouwer

  
  

  I wrote this article for the New Dictionary of Christian Apologetics (Inter-Varsity Press).

  Throughout his lengthy career as Professor of Systematic Theology at the Free University of Amsterdam, he sought to understand the gospel more deeply. Best known for his multi-volumed Studies in Dogmatics, his chief work was in dogmatics rather than apologetics. His writings contain valuable insights relating to the work of apologetics. From his Studies in Dogmatics, there are two important discussions - 'Apostolicity and Truth' in The Church and 'Faith and Criticism' in Holy Scripture. Also of considerable interest are two chapters in A Half Century of Theology - ' The Era of Apologetics' and 'Faith and Reasonableness'. Distinguishing between an authentic authority and an unwarranted authoritarianism, he affirmed the essential reasonableness of the gospel. The call to faith in Christ is not a call for blind obedience. Believing in Christ does not require a sacrifice of the intellect. He also affirmed the spiritual character of the gospel, distancing himself from the kind of apologetics which tends to place undue emphasis on the capacity of human reason to bring people to faith in Christ. He rejected the idea of faith as a sacrifice of the intellect without ever suggesting that faith is no more than an act of unaided human reason. Recognizing the value of apologetics without attaching an exaggerated importance to it, he emphasized the need for both humility and courage in the defence of the Christian faith. In humility, apologetics must take care to avoid an unattractively militant approach. Resisting the temptation to trim the content of its message in search of relevance, apologetics should, with courage, affirm the gospel's irreducible content. Emphasizing the gospel's own inherent apologetic significance, he was critical of the kind of apologetics which shows little interest in those elements of Christian faith adjudged to be less apologetically relevant.

  Bibliography

  G. C. Berkouwer, A Half Century of Theology (Grand Rapids, 1977), pp. 25-38, 144-178; Holy Scripture, (Grand Rapids, 1975), pp.346-366; The Church, (Grand Rapids, 1976), pp.232-256
  C. M. Cameron, The Problem of Polarization: An Approach based on the Writings of G. C. Berkouwer, (Lewiston, Queenston and Lampeter, 1992), pp. 247-284”

  Charles C started this discussion 12 months ago. ( reply )

• 

  Larry K 

  his chief work was in dogmatics rather than apologetics.

  So, you'd say he is more of a preacher than a debater?

  posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

• 

  Charles C (edited)

  Berkouwer spent a number of years working as the minister of a church before he took up his life's work as Professor of Systematic Theology at the Free University of Amsterdam (1945 to 1973). Throughout his "Studies in Dogmatics", there is a constant emphasis on careful exposition of the Word of God. In my book, I recommended the careful study of Berkouwer's writings.
  -----
  "A careful study of Berkouwer's works is an education in Biblical exegesis, systematic theology, practical theology, historical theology and contemporary theology - 'a kind of post-graduate study in theology' (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "Works of Professor Berkouwer" in "The Evangelical Quarterly", 28, (January-March, 1956), p. 46)."
  -----
  About the inclusion of an article on Berkouwer in the "New Dictionary of Apologetics", here's the story. In my book, I included a section on "Apologetics" (pp. 247- 284). This section considered (1) the relationship between apologetics and dogmatics; (2) a proper use of apologetics; (3) the extent to which theology may make use of apologetics"." My book was reviewed by the Rev Dr Campbell Campbell-Jack, who, a number of years later, became the Editor of the "New Dictionary of Apologetics." He must have remembered my work on Berkouwer and apologetics because he asked me to write the article on Berkouwer. I hope this helps you to understand Berkouwer and also how an article on him found its way into a book on apologetics.

  posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

  show 2 replies

  • 

    Larry K 

    Do you know if any of his sermons were ever recorded? I have an audio of a message by Martin Lloyd Jones "What Is Preaching?" on our church website. www.thelordsbaptistchurch.com there is a "click and Listen" LINK that takes you to it.

    posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Charles C 

    Thanks for your reply, Larry. I looked on the Internet to see if I could find any spoken ministry of Berkouwer. I didn't find anything. I think, however, if there is anything available, it's most likely that it will be in Dutch. Thanks for telling me about the Martyn Lloyd-Jones message. In 1974, I heard Lloyd-Jones preaching. It was at the time of transport strike. Many people (myself included) had to walk across the city of Glasgow to hear him. He was 75 years old. He was wearing a heavy overcoat since it was a cold winter's night. His message was memorable and timely. He emphasized that, in a changing world, we have a God who is unchanged, unchanging and unchangeable.

    posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

• 

  Lance - Author of "Ask James One" 

  So, are you saying dogma is a virtue? An awful lot of dogma is just plain dogpoo.

  posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

  show 1 reply

  • 

    Charles C 

    Berkouwer's major works in theology are known as his "Studies in Dogmatics." When we hear the word, "dogmatic", we tend also to think of other words like authoritarian and intolerant. Berkouwer doesn't write in the spirit of intolerance and the attitude of authoritarianism. He helps us to be theologians in the best sense of the word - "theology is not practised apart from faith, prayer and adoration" ("The Person of Christ", p. 10). He emphasizes that, in our study of theology, we do not seek "a purely theoretical knowledge but a profitable, wholesome knowledge of the salvation of God in Jesus Christ" ("The Work of Christ", p. 10).

    posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

• To reply to this discussion, please sign in or join now.

Return to top