Bücher von Herman Bavinck

Herman Bavinck, the prominent, Dutch Neo-Calvinist theologian wrote The Christian Philosophy of Science in 1904, at the pinnacle of his career. However, the emphasis of this work sets it apart from Bavinck's other writings. Even though Bavinck is best known as a systematic theologian, he wrote this work to contribute to a comprehensive Christian philosophy. A century ago, in the Netherlands, a renewed desire to participate in scientific research in accordance with Christian principles inspired Bavinck's work on the philosophy of science. At the time, many Christian scientists and researchers were disillusioned with the methodological positivism that dominated science for much of the nineteenth century. Thus, Bavinck was ahead of his time, having written this work approximately 60 years before positivism was largely abandoned in Western academic studies. According to Bavinck, all scientific research must assume the presence of a logical order within, and consistently acting upon, Creation. This can only be the handiwork of a Sovereign Creator. He describes science as the understanding of the divine mind in various divine works. Therefore, authentic science should always lead to a further understanding and respect for God. He also argues that, given the reality of human nature, the Christian philosophy of science is essential for scientific research. People are corrupt and prone to distorting the truth for their own benefit, therefore only through the self-evaluation mandated by the gospel of Jesus Christ can we truly be scientific truth-seekers. True science, according to Bavinck, is Christocentric, as all scientific inquiry is centered on Jesus Christ. There has never been a greater need for a thorough Christian Philosophy of Science to engage in modern scientific challenges. While much work remains in this area, it is hoped that this translation of Bavinck's most complete work on the subject might help steer future efforts in a positive direction.

In addition to exegetical, biblical, and systematic theology, there is room also for a philosophy of revelation which will trace the idea of revelation, both in its form and in its content, and correlate it with the rest of our knowledge and life, writes the author, one of the most distinguished Reformed theologians of the twentieth century. Theological thought has always felt the need of such a science. Thus Philosophy of Revelation, first published in 1909, is part of the same discipline and heritage as James Orr's 'The Christian View of God and the World' (1893) and Gordon Clark's 'A Christian View of Men and Things' (1952). Bavinck deals with the relationship between revelation and (in chapters 2-3) philosophy, (4) nature, (5) history, (6) religion, (7) Christianity, (8) religious experience, (9) culture, and (10) the future. He contends that the word cannot be explained without God, that the natural and social sciences presuppose metaphysics, and that none of the subjects under consideration here is intelligible or meaningful apart from special revelation.