Berkhof, Bavinck, Vos

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Stephen L Smith

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There has been much discussion on the merits of Berkhof's Systematic Theology before, but I was wondering about the situation where someone has not the time to read Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics or Vos' Reformed Dogmatics, but would like to read a useful summary of both. Is Berkhof, at his best, a helpful summary of both Bavinck and Vos. I cettainly have seen a real Bavinck influence in Berkhof, but what about a Vosian influence?

Just wondering.
 
There has been much discussion on the merits of Berkhof's Systematic Theology before, but I was wondering about the situation where someone has not the time to read Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics or Vos' Reformed Dogmatics, but would like to read a useful summary of both. Is Berkhof, at his best, a helpful summary of both Bavinck and Vos. I cettainly have seen a real Bavinck influence in Berkhof, but what about a Vosian influence?

Just wondering.

It's not as obvious. When Vos wrote his ST, he hadn't quite developed his biblical theology method.

Berkhof is still good, though. Lot more succinct than Bavinck.
 
I read Vos and Berkhof side by side when I was teaching a class on systematic theology in Sunday School a couple of years ago. I could have sworn that Berkhof was channeling Vos. It is quite possible, incidentally, that Berkhof was Vos's student. In fact, my theory is that Berkhof was the one who took down the notes from Vos's class and had them published. By the way, I am not sure that Vos is much longer than Berkhof: yes there are five volumes, but several of them are quite short, and I don't think any of them are longer than 400 pages, and at least one is under 200, I think.
 
I read Vos and Berkhof side by side when I was teaching a class on systematic theology in Sunday School a couple of years ago. I could have sworn that Berkhof was channeling Vos. It is quite possible, incidentally, that Berkhof was Vos's student. In fact, my theory is that Berkhof was the one who took down the notes from Vos's class and had them published. By the way, I am not sure that Vos is much longer than Berkhof: yes there are five volumes, but several of them are quite short, and I don't think any of them are longer than 400 pages, and at least one is under 200, I think.
Of all of the ST from the reformed position that I have read so far, the one by Berkhof was the easiest one to get a grasp on what he was really saying regarding Reformed theology.
 
In fact, my theory is that Berkhof was the one who took down the notes from Vos's class and had them published.
When I asked my question, I had in mind people who have done little theological reading but I want to encourage them to read a sound systematic theology. Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics and Vos' Reformed Dogmatics would be too much for them, hence recommending Berkhof. But it does seem to me that reading Berkhof (including his 'Introduction to Systematic theology') gives someone the best of both Bavinck and Vos - especially for those who read little theology.
 
Berkhof was a much easier primer on reformed theology for someone like me, who came over from a strictly Dispensational viewpoint background.
 
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Stephen, if you are looking for a primer, I would go one level below all of these, and use Sproul's book Everyone's A Theologian, or Bavinck's book Our Reasonable Faith, or Berkhof's Primer. Berkhof's ST, while excellent, is still one level above what I would give a beginner.
 
Stephen, if you are looking for a primer, I would go one level below all of these, and use Sproul's book Everyone's A Theologian, or Bavinck's book Our Reasonable Faith, or Berkhof's Primer. Berkhof's ST, while excellent, is still one level above what I would give a beginner.
Thanks for the suggestions. I did not realise that Bavinck's Our Reasonable Faith was pitched at an easier level than Berkhof's ST. I have also recommended Dr Lloyd-Jones "Great Doctrines of the Bible" as it is great theology from a very pastoral perspective. Many of these lectures are online. That said one needs to read his material on the Holy Spirit with discernment.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I did not realise that Bavinck's Our Reasonable Faith was pitched at an easier level than Berkhof's ST. I have also recommended Dr Lloyd-Jones "Great Doctrines of the Bible" as it is great theology from a very pastoral perspective. Many of these lectures are online. That said one needs to read his material on the Holy Spirit with discernment.
He was open to the modern Charasmatic Movement, correct?
 
When I asked my question, I had in mind people who have done little theological reading but I want to encourage them to read a sound systematic theology. Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics and Vos' Reformed Dogmatics would be too much for them, hence recommending Berkhof. But it does seem to me that reading Berkhof (including his 'Introduction to Systematic theology') gives someone the best of both Bavinck and Vos - especially for those who read little theology.

My first exposure to theology in a topical manner was Thomas Watson's "A Body of Divinity." For me, it was a great primer into theology. I also don't think one would go wrong by using William Ames "Marrow of Theology" or James Ussher's "Body of Divinity" as a primer before jumping into Berkhof or a larger ST. It wasn't an option but I find Wilhelmus À Brakel's "Christian's Reasonable Service" such a joy to read.
 
A few other shorter volumes: Hodge has an "Outlines of Theology", which is a condensed version of his 3 volume set. Berkhof also has his stuff condensed in a volume called "Manuel of Christian Doctrine."
 
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