Systematic Theology (Louis Berkhof)

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 doctrine 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.

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. says it quickly…what Berkhof gives you is constantly, point after point, good stuff.' — J.I. PACKER

Table of Contents

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. Introduction 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

Product Details

Title: Systematic Theology  

Author: Louis Berkhof

Publisher: Banner of Truth

Pages: 1048

Binding: Cloth-bound

Size: 22.3 x 14.6 x 5.3 cm

ISBN: 9781848719941