Description
Book SynopsisThe fourth and final volume in Herman Bavinck's masterwork of Reformed theology is now available in English for the first time. Includes enhanced documentation.
Table of ContentsEditor's Introduction
Part I: The Spirit Gives New Life to Believers
1. Calling and Regeneration
The Call of God
Eternal Call
Universal Proclamation of the Gospel
The Particular Call of Grace
Rebirth in Other Religions
Regeneration: Scriptural Teaching
The Doctrine of Regeneration in Church History
Modern Reinterpretations of Regeneration
Regeneration: Various Views
The Nature and Extent of Regeneration
Regeneration: An Attempt at Definition
Immediate and Irresistible
The Remonstrant Objection
Becoming Spiritual Persons
Re-formation, Not Re-creation
2. Faith and Conversion
The Knowledge of Faith
Faith as a Universal Created Capacity
Faith Knowledge in Scripture
Rome and the Reformation on Faith
Faith and Regeneration: Which Is Prior?
Faith as Knowledge and Trust
Faith and Renewal of the Will (Conversion)
Repentance
Conversion of Believers?
The Reformation Understanding: Mortification and Vivification
Varieties of Conversion
Fleeing Sin and Loving God
Confession of Sin
Penance and Punishment
3. Justification
Forgiveness Is Not Natural
Forgiveness in Scripture
The Problem of Nomism
The Reformation Renewal: Extrinsic, Forensic Justification
Faith and Justification
Objective and Subjective; Active and Passive
Justification Is Forensic, Not Ethical
Faith Is Necessary but No Ground
Objections to Imputation
Justification in Time or Eternity?
Active and Passive Justification
The Elements of Justification
4. Sanctification and Perseverance
Holiness as Gift and Reward
Rigorism and a Double Morality
Justification and Its Discontents
Sanctification Is Also in Christ
Passive and Active Sanctification
Good Works
The Perfectionist Heresy
Perseverance of the Saints
Part II: The Spirit Creates New Community
5. The Church's Spiritual Essence
The Jewish Roots of the Christian Church
The Church Is One
The Church Is Catholic
The Institutional, Teaching Church
The Church as "Communion of Saints"
The Reformed Doctrine of the Church
Reformation Tangents
The Church as the "People of God"
Church Distinctives
The Marks of the Church
Objections to Reformed Marks
The Real Church in History
The Attributes of the Church
6. The Church's Spiritual Government
The Church as Organism and Institution
Church Government in Scripture
The Apostolic Office: Peter
After the Apostles: Elders, Bishops, Deacons
From Presbyterian to Episcopal
From Episcopal to Papal
The Debate about Petrine Primacy
The Reformation Rejection of Hierarchy
Post-Reformation Developments
Christ Is King of the Church
Church Office as Service
Ordination
How Many Offices?
7. The Church's Spiritual Power
Religious and Civil Power in Israel
New Ecclesial Power
The Development of Episcopal Power
Degeneration of Papal Power: Infallibility
Power Restored to Word and Sacrament
Church Power and Political Power
Confusion of Powers
Spiritual Teaching Power
Spiritual Ruling Power; Discipline
The Power of Mercy
Church Assemblies
The Church's Unique Spiritual Power
8. The Spirit's Means of Grace: Proclamation
Beyond Mysticism and Sacramentalism
Ordinary and Extraordinary: Avoiding One-Sidedness
The Word as Law, Gospel, and Power
Maintaining the Unity of the Covenant of Grace
The Spirit, the Word, and Power
9. The Spirit's Means of Grace: The Sacraments
Defining the Sacraments
Sacramental Doctrine
Signs and Seals
The "Matter" of Sacraments
Objectivity of the Sacraments
How Many Sacraments?
10. The Spirit's Means of Grace: Baptism
The Broader Religious Context of Baptism
Water Baptism and Spirit Baptism
"In the Name of Jesus"
The Rite of Baptism
The Reformation and Baptism
The Manner of Baptism
The Benefits of Baptism
Infant Baptism
The Validity of Infant Baptism
The Administration of Baptism
11. The Spirit's Means of Grace: The Lord's Supper
A Shared Sacrificial Meal
Instituted by Christ?
The Lord's Supper in Church History
The Reformation Debates
The Lord's Supper as Meal
Table or Altar?
Memorial or Sign of Union with Christ?
Transubstantiation: The Mass
The Reformed Doctrine of the Lord's Supper
For Believers Only
Part III: The Spirit Makes All Things New
A. The Intermediate State
12. The Question of Immortality
Philosophy
History and Reason
The Old Testament
Intertestamental Judaism
The New Testament
13. After Death, Then What?
The Move toward Purgatory
Reformation and Deformation
The Need for Scriptural Reserve
Soul Sleep?
Intermediate Corporeality?
Contact with the Living?
14. Between Death and Resurrection
A Second Opportunity?
Purification?
The End of Our Pilgrimage
Intercession for the Dead?
Communion with the Church Triumphant
B. The Return of Christ
15. Visions of the End
A Religious Perspective on the End
The Uniqueness of Old Testament Eschatology
The Rise of Chiliasm
A Scriptural Reply to Chiliasm
16. Israel, the Millennium, and Christ's Return
Difficult Passages on Israel and the Church
"All Israel" in Romans 11
An Interim Millennial Age?
John's Apocalypse
The Millennium in Revelation 20
The Return of Christ
The Timing of Christ's Return
The Manner of Christ's Return
C. The Consummation
17. The Day of the Lord
The Resurrection of the Body
The Judgment
The Place of Punishment
Alternatives to Eternal Punishment
The Answer of Scripture
18. The Renewal of Creation
The Transformation of Creation
The Blessings of the Redeemed
The Wideness of God's Mercy
Service in the Eternal Sabbath
Bibliography
Indexes
