Christian Faith: An Introduction to the Study of the FaithThis is a print on demand book and is therefore non- returnable. In today's secular world, the Christian faith is viewed as only one aspect of what could be called "religious life." Acknowledging this, Hendrikus Berkhof begins this thought-provoking study with a sketch of religion and faith in general before narrowing it down to a discussion of the specific place of Christian faith. Beginning with the whole of reality makes it possible to use "religion" as the basis from which to acquire an understanding of the relevance of the Christian faith for that total reality. Thus, a study of Christian faith can answer questions that deal with the place of humanity in the cosmos, the meaning of life and existence, the meaning of freedom and of death. Berkhof defines "religion" as the relation to the absolute. "Faith" is one step beyond religion, as it is the establishment of God's relationship to his people. Christian faith builds on Old Testament faith because the promises of the Old Testament are accepted as being fulfilled in the ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Berkhof the study of Christian faith is a systematic examination of the content of the relationship which God in Christ has entered into with us. Because the study of the faith is systematic, there must be an order to it. This order varies from theologian to theologian; for Berkhof the starting point is revelation -- the sources and norms for our knowledge of God. This leads to a discussion of God, creation (of the world and of human beings), Israel, the person and work of Christ, the church, and finally, the renewal of the world and of humanity. Throughout the book Berkhof comments on (and often takes issue with) systematic theologians of the past. Written for both the layperson and the scholar, the text is interspersed with excurses (set off in smaller type than the main text) that cover specific subjects more thoroughly, citing sources, controversies, and the like, which will be of particular interest to theologians and students. This newly revised edition, a translation of the Dutch fifth edition, takes into account developments in dogmatics in the thirteen years since Berkhof prepared the first edition of Christian Faith. Berkhof's aim throughout is to present his understanding of the truth of God; but, as he writes in his preface, "the study of the faith is not something to learn so much as something to do and practice. A book can do no more than help us to get started and stimulate us to try to do it on our own." This book, like the earlier edition, admirably succeeds in meeting that goal. |
Contents
Prolegomena | 1 |
Religion | 6 |
Faith | 12 |
Christian Faith | 19 |
Motives and Essence | 26 |
Reach and Limits | 34 |
REVELATION | 37 |
Internal Prolegomena | 43 |
The Way of Israel in the Old Testament | 229 |
The Way of Israel in the New Testament | 253 |
JESUS THE SON 32 In Search of the Historical Jesus | 271 |
The Person | 284 |
Life and Humanity | 298 |
Death and Reconciliation | 304 |
Resurrection and Glorification | 312 |
The Spirit and the Participation | 324 |
Phenomenological and Theological | 47 |
The Earthly Character of Revelation | 52 |
Revelation and Experience | 55 |
Revelation and Hiddenness | 60 |
Word and Spirit | 63 |
Revelation as History | 68 |
The Symbolic Language of Revelation | 72 |
SelfRevelation or Revelation of Truths | 79 |
General and Special Revelation | 81 |
Fixation and Transmission Scripture and Tradition | 84 |
The Provisional Character of Revelation | 108 |
Essence and Attributes | 119 |
Holy Love | 126 |
The Defenseless Superior Power | 140 |
The Changeable Faithfulness | 147 |
God as Creator | 155 |
The World as Createdness | 162 |
Love and Freedom | 183 |
Guilt and Fate | 192 |
The Preservation of the World | 215 |
ISRAEL | 217 |
Israel in the Christian Faith | 225 |
The Covenant as Triunity | 335 |
THE NEW COMMUNITY 39 The Covenant as Community | 343 |
The Church as Institute | 349 |
The Church as the Body of Christ | 397 |
The People of God as the Firstfruits | 415 |
THE RENEWAL OF MAN 43 Man the Purpose of God | 427 |
Judgment and Repentance | 432 |
Justification and Faith | 436 |
Guidance and Security | 449 |
Justification and Sanctification | 454 |
Freedom and Love | 459 |
Dying and Rising | 467 |
Struggle Progress and Perseverance | 471 |
The Completed Renewal | 486 |
Prayer | 494 |
THE RENEWAL OF THE WORLD 53 The Place of the World in the Faith | 503 |
The Sanctification of the World | 511 |
Progress and Struggle | 515 |
Individuals Mankind and the Future | 529 |
547 | |
562 | |