The Dutch Reformed theologian Herman Bavinck (1854-1921) is famous for his studies in many disciplines, including psychology. The pinnacle of his research in theological psychology is his Biblical and Religious Psychology. This book is divided into two parts which present an anthropology that explains man psychologically, in relation to God, according to both special and general revelation. Both readers acquainted with Bavinck and new readers will be captivated by the author’s typically rich and erudite style.

In this book, Bavinck deals with man as soul and body, and as a religious and moral being. He delves deeply into Scripture’s teaching on man’s spirit, heart and desires, and his intellect and his will. Man is viewed vis-à-vis the Triune God on the one hand and animals on the other. Bavinck treats the effects upon man of both sin (original and actual) and regeneration, as well as the influence of one’s heredity and environment. He shows how all of this influences the Christian’s view of children and education.

Despite Bavinck’s unbiblical doctrine of common grace and his erroneous view of an image of God in the unregenerate, the discerning reader will find much that is solidly Reformed and theologically helpful in an area often treated shallowly in Christian literature.

Biblical and Religious Psychology, translated by Herman Hanko and edited by Gregory Parker Jr., with revisions by Annemarieke Ryskamp, is an enlightening and stimulating work that will help all readers think more deeply about the relationship between theology and psychology, and appreciate biblical teaching on the complexities of being human.

What others are saying about the book

“In recent years there has been a renewal of interest in a ‘theological psychology.’ While a rift may have existed in the recent past between theology and psychology, this has not always been the case. Herman Bavinck was one of many theologians who thought deeply about the connection between these two disciplines. He did this in a time when psychology was asserting itself as a science. For anyone interested in how one can put the words ‘biblical’ and ‘psychology’ together, this is an important work to consider. The readers will find themselves challenged and encouraged to take up the task of constructing a ‘theological psychology’ anew.” – Cameron Clausing, lecturer in applied theology and missional engagement at Christ College (Sydney, Australia)

“This book showcases Bavinck’s attentiveness to the empirical granularity of biblical teaching on humanity. Further, the text represents Bavinckʼs mature writings on these topics, so readers who want a fuller picture of his reflections on the issue cannot neglect reading these texts. The editors and translators should be celebrated for bringing this accessible yet profound work to a wider audience, and the incisive introduction by John Bolt makes it all the more worthwhile. Take up and read!” – N. Gray Sutanto, assistant professor of systematic theology of Reformed Theological Seminary (Washington D.C.), author of God and Knowledge: Herman Bavinck’s Theological Epistemology, co-translator and co-editor of Herman Bavinck’s Christian Worldview

“Bavinck spent his career as a theologian thinking about the human subject. Here you get his final thoughts on the psyche, consciousness, and particularly what the Bible teaches about human beings and how we respond to God’s presence. This is the work of the mature Bavinck, which makes it worth paying attention to.” – Cory Brock, minister in the Free Church of Scotland at St. Columba’s (Edinburgh), and lecturer in systematic theology and preaching at Edinburgh Theological Seminary

“As the 20th century dawned, the discipline of psychology celebrated its emancipation from the Bible and theology. As the new psychology was explaining more and more of the human experience, the rich, previously theologically informed constructs such as soul, spirit, and heart were being reduced to mere consciousness that could be measured in a laboratory. The divorce between psychology and theology seemed to be final. However, thanks to the work of Hanko, Ryskamp and Parker, we now know this was not the case. In their very readable translation of Bavinckʼs Biblical and Religious Psychology, we see that Bavinck was still trying to carve out a place for a theologically informed psychology. Not only will this volume be of historical benefit, but Bavinck’s treatment of the human soul in all of its fullness can and should inform contemporary psychology-theology integration discussions.” – Bryan N. Maier, associate professor of Psychology and Counseling at Cairn University

“When framed in a biblical anthropology, psychology as the study of human soul activity is a necessary and valuable tool for educating children.” – John Bolt, “Introduction,” professor emeritus of Calvin Theological Seminary and editor of Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics (Gereformeerde Dogmatiek)

“… you may be thinking: what does psychology have to do with the Bible? If so, it’s likely because you associate psychology with a secular social science dealing with the human mind and behaviour. Because so much psychology is based on humanistic foundations, it may seem like it can’t have much, if anything, to do with the Bible. Think again. In a university you could take an anthropology course. But did you know you could also take an anthropology course in seminary? In that context, anthropology is an area of systematic theology dealing with the study of the human race – what does the Bible say about it? Similarly here, Herman Bavinck is approaching the study of the human mind and human behaviour from an explicitly biblical perspective. What does the Bible say about our psychology? … Bavinck asserts that ‘also culture and history are part of the means by which the invisible attributes of God are known … God reigns even in this age; nature, culture, and history are means through which he speaks to us even more loudly than in the past’ (p. 206). I’m not sure that there is an earlier broader sense of ‘nature’ in Reformed theology. Bavinck didn’t provide any evidence to support his claim and my sources don’t seem to support it. I checked his Reformed Dogmatics to see if he said more about it there. He did (vol. 1, chapter 10). However, there he also didn’t give references and, interestingly, he didn’t include culture. I don’t believe the Bible teaches that culture is a form of general revelation. I bring this up only because so much mischief results when culture is considered as a form of revelation. If science is considered part of culture (which it should be), then science becomes a form of revelation. If entertainment is considered part of culture (obviously it is), then TV shows, movies, and pop songs are forms of revelation. Some ‘neo-Calvinists’ in our day argue for exactly that and I wonder if the seed of that development might be here in Bavinck.” (Clarion)

“I consider this material to be of such interest and help, especially to those who are engaged in the work of teaching covenant children, that a translation and publication of it is worthwhile in spite of elements with which I disagree. Bavinck did work in the area of Christian psychology which is not to be found in any English writings.” – Herman Hanko, “Translator’s Foreword,” professor emeritus of Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary

The 1960s were years of challenges to the infallibility and inspiration of God’s Word. These attacks were precipitated by the increasingly popular theory of evolution, which was making inroads into Reformed churches and schools. In contradiction to this creeping heresy and in unequivocal defence of the doctrine of Scripture, the Reformed Free Publishing Association (RFPA) published In the Beginning God by Prof. Homer C. Hoeksema, son of Herman Hoeksema. Since then the conflict between creation and evolution as the explanation of the origin of the world has intensified, and the truth of God’s inerrant Word is increasingly compromised, even in historically Protestant circles. Christ’s people must be knowledgeable regarding holy Scripture and creation so that they can faithfully maintain and proclaim these doctrines. The explanation and defence of these timeless truths in this fine little book will help you to this end! The three chapters of this excellent, little book are entitled “The Divine Foundation—The Infallible Scriptures,” “The Creation Record—Literal or Not Literal?” and “Genesis and Scripture.”

This book can also be read on-line.

“Good book. Very well written, easy to read and understand. Great front cover too.” – S. Wales

Rev. Jerome Julien (United Reformed Churches in North America): “The key to understanding Reformed doctrine, and certainly the theology of Rev. Herman Hoeksema, is found in the title of the first chapter in this book: ‘God is God.’ This truth sets the tone for all thirteen chapters—six on God and seven on man. Each chapter on God directs the reader’s attention to a different biblical aspect of the sovereign of the universe: God as God, as creator, as Lord, as good, as the living God, and as love. The seven chapters about man open the biblical teaching about a subject often misinterpreted today. Clear explanation is given concerning man’s covenantal relationship to God, his creation in the image of God, his fall, and his totally depraved nature. Like the chapters in part one, these also emphasize that God is God. Knowing God and Man is an excellent introduction to the author’s theology. Hoeksema’s penetrating analysis provides spiritual food for those hungering and thirsting after God’s righteousness and not their own.”

“The overriding theme of this series of messages is ‘God is God.’ If the Church could base its terms of reference around this central theme, then much of the confusion that so undermines its message to the world would be sorted” (English Churchman).

Click here to read a review of this book by one of our readers!

Click here to read chapter 1 of this book in Italian.
Click here to read chapter 13 of this book in Italian.

“I am very happy with the books. I am reading Knowing God and Man now. I learned a lot from it and it is a blessing for me. So in the future I hope to order more of [Herman Hoeksema’s] books.” – Netherlands

Is Scripture man’s word or God’s word? This book develops the truth of the infallible inspiration of Scripture, presenting Scripture as God’s inerrant word and our authority for faith and life. The author directs the reader to the Reformed confessions and to Scripture itself, providing a clear understanding of this fundamental doctrine.

Contents:
1. The Basic Principle
2. Scripture’s Self-Testimony, the Principles
3. Scripture’s Self-Testimony Through the Prophecies and Fulfillment of Christ’s Coming
4. Scripture’s Self-Testimony: Scriptural Conclusion
5. Does Scripture Have a Human Element?
6. The Consequence of Conceding a Human Element in Scripture
7. Organic Inspiration

The Doctrine of Scripture, by Homer C. Hoeksema. 93pp. [Reviewed by Prof. R. Decker.]

The contents of this little volume were prepared by Prof. Hoeksema for an elective class in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. The class was intended to introduce the students to “Contemporary Views of Scripture.” The material found in this book was really an introduction, a positive statement of the doctrine of Holy Scripture. Prof. Hoeksema was taken to glory before he had opportunity to complete the work. 

Hoeksema answers this question: “What has been historically, and what is now, the Reformed and confessional view of Scripture?” It is Hoeksema’s contention that this question must first be answered, before any critical analysis of contemporary views of Scripture can be properly done. 

The reader will find in this book a treatment of the doctrine of Scripture as taught in the Reformed Creeds. He will also find detailed treatment of “Scripture’s Self-Testimony.” In two very important chapters (5 & 6) Hoeksema argues convincingly that there is no “human factor” or “element” in the production of Holy Scripture. The book concludes with a comprehensive statement on the concept “Organic Inspiration.” 

We are convinced that the key doctrine under attack in our day is the doctrine of Holy Scripture itself. For this reason the book is must reading for seminarians, office-bearers, Christian school teachers, and all believers. It will provide the Reformed believer with the necessary, foundational understanding of this crucial truth. Thus the believer will be enabled to evaluate the false views of Scripture so prevalent in our day.

CONTENTS

Foreword

PART I
Chapter 1: The Reformed Worldview
Chapter 2: The Organic Development of Sin
Chapter 3: The Abolition of Truth
Chapter 4: The Reformed Believer and Money
Chapter 5: The Sexual Revolution
Chapter 6: Towards a One-World Government

PART II
Chapter 7: The Unbreakable Scripture
Chapter 8: The Call to Spiritual Cleansing

APPENDIX
About the British Reformed Fellowship

FOREWORD

Everyone has a worldview, whether they are conscious or unconscious of having one and whether their worldview is relatively simple or sophisticated, consistent or inconsistent, true (i.e., biblical) or false.

Moreover, everyone necessarily has a view of themselves and the universe; God and man; right and wrong; the beginning, the meaning and the goal of all things—a worldview. Even if they deny the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and try to avoid thinking about many of the biggest issues of life, some sort of worldview, no matter how truncated or limited, is unavoidable.

The issue is what worldview will we hold? The worldview taught in the Scriptures and the Reformed confessions or one of the lying worldviews which suppress and pervert God’s truth in unrighteousness, and call forth His wrath from heaven (Rom. 1:18)?

This little book is designed to help Christians (and any others who may read it in God’s good providence) to believe, understand, speak and behave in all spheres of life according to the gospel of the Lord Jesus revealed in the Holy Bible. In other words, its goal is that, by God’s grace, our faith and life be more consciously conformed to a more completely and consistently Reformed worldview, over against the various Antichristian worldviews, especially those most prevalent and powerful in our modern, Western world. In this way, we will be obeying what Christ calls “the first and great commandment:” “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matt. 22:37-38).

There is a logic to the order of the chapters. Chapter 1 introduces, and gives an overview of, the Reformed worldview, while the next chapter explains the idea of the development of sin. Chapters 3-5 set forth our calling as regards various forms of wickedness: the “big lie” of postmodernism (ninth commandment), the ensnaring love of money (tenth commandment) and the ubiquitous promotion of promiscuity (seventh commandment) in our mendacious, covetous and adulterous generation. The final chapter of part 1 explains how the development of sin brings in a one-world Antichristian government.

These six chapters began life as the six main lectures at the biennial British Reformed Fellowship (BRF) Conference in Hebron Hall, near Cardiff, in Wales in the summer of 2010. After much transcribing, editing and even rewriting, they are presented here in a more permanent form and for a wider audience.

Our two main conference speakers, Herman Hanko and David Engelsma, emeritus professors of the Protestant Reformed Seminary in Michigan, USA, also preached at the Sunday services during the week-long conference. It was the will of the BRF membership that these fine sermons also be included in this book, especially as they dealt with issues related to our theme. In part 2, chapter 7, “The Unbreakable Scripture,” shows us the basis for our Reformed worldview: the infallible Word of God, while chapter 8, “The Call to Spiritual Cleansing,” summarizes our Christian life in this fallen, evil world as one of sanctification.

Saints from the various parts of the British Isles and several countries in continental Europe, N. America and Asia who had the privilege of attending the 2010 BRF Conference may require a word about the book’s title. The conference’s theme, “The Word of God for Our Generation” is the subtitle, for the two main authors decided upon the more specific The Reformed Worldview as the main title.

The Reformed Worldview: The Word of God for Our Generation is the fourth BRF book co-authored by Profs. Engelsma and Hanko, the others being Keeping God’s Covenant (2006), The Five Points of Calvinism (2008) and The Work of the Holy Spirit (2010).

We hope that this new work is even more widely circulated and well received than the previous three BRF books! May it, too, serve the honour of our glorious Triune God!

Rev. Angus Stewart
BRF Chairman

This book can also be read on-line.

To read 5 chapters of this book in Afrikaans, click here.
To read the foreword and chapters of this book in Indonesian, click here.
To read all this book in Polish, click here.
To read all this book in Russian, click here.

“‘How should we then live?’ is a question that has confronted every believer from the fall onwards, for the world we pass through constantly impacts on our lives, and can prove a very hostile environment. The practical issues of Christian living were the theme of the 2010 British Reformed Conference. The main addresses, delivered by Professors Engelsma and Hanko of the Protestant Reformed Churches (US), have been expanded and are now offered to a wider Christian audience. Through eight thoroughly biblical presentations, we are given detailed instruction and advice on the Reformed (or biblical) worldview: the organic development of sin; the abolition of truth; the believer and money; the sexual revolution; towards a one-world government; the unbreakable Scripture, and, finally a call to spiritual cleansing. The writers pull no punches when exposing the evil around us so some of the material is ‘strong stuff,’ but we should never shy away from seeing the world as it is, as we seek to witness to it … it is, throughout, a sincere attempt to confront a sin-soaked society with the infallible word of God and to challenge the believer to examine where he or she stands. The sections on the abolition of truth (‘newspeak,’ making wrong seem good and driving out the old, plain, words) and towards a one-world government (are current events leading up to the final world dictatorship of the Antichrist?) are especially valuable and thought provoking. The book concludes on a positive note: God is in control, even the evil around us is working out His gracious plan. Events that shock and dismay us today may testify loudly that the Lord’s return is near at hand.” – British Reformed Newspaper

“We see much truth in this book [i.e., The Reformed Worldview]. Now we can see the origin of the apostasy in the GKN and the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated). It was always puzzling us, why they put so much emphasis on mundane culture instead of Christian one. This book is an eye opener for most Christians.” – Belgium

“I am halfway through the book and thoroughly impressed by it because it confirms the way I see the world … I am considering buying copies for my two Christian grandsons.” – Avon, England

“The Reformed Worldview has been a great help to me in understanding what is happening in the world now and also learning what God says to us in His Word about it.” – England

“I have given away a couple copies of Profs. Hanko and Engelsma’s amazing book [The Reformed Worldview], which is the core of what they both spoke upon [at the 2010 BRF] Family Conference. I marvel anew at the faithfulness of God in His keeping these two giants of the faith active and able to produce from the Scriptures such strong, bold truths. One friend [said] he was overjoyed to have read it. I now would like some more copies …” – New Zealand

“Many thanks for [The Reformed Worldview] and other material. I am halfway through the book and thoroughly impressed by it because it confirms the way I see the world. I am considering buying copies for my two Christian grandsons.” – England

“This is a very good book. I especially liked the chapter ‘The Abolition of Truth.’ It explains in great detail the root of many problems when there is no absolute standard for truth.” – Washington, USA

“I’m just re-reading The Reformed Worldview by D. Engelsma and H. Hanko. It is so very, very edifying that I want to give a copy to the pastor here.” – W. Yorkshire, England

“We’ve found The Reformed Worldview very helpful in dealing with college students and have used it in pre-confession classes over the past years making it required reading for everyone who makes confession of faith.” – S. Dakota, USA

“The Reformed Worldview is a book for such a time as this. I am now ready to read it again! Please send a copy to a brother … Many thanks.” – England

“We are enjoying The Reformed Worldview at Ladies Bible Study. It’s been great for us!” – Ontario, Canada

Can believers and their children understand more about God’s covenant fellowship with His people if they have a better understanding of the inner, triune life of God in Himself? Does the life of Jesus Christ revealed in the Holy Scriptures help? What have Augustine, John Calvin, Karl Barth, Leonardo Boff and others offered on this topic? Trinity and Covenant: God as Holy Family by Professor David Engelsma answers these questions and more.

In the light of the profound insights of Augustine, following the lead of various theologians in the Reformed tradition, and on the basis of God’s Word, this book conceives the life of God in Himself as fundamentally family fellowship. The fellowship of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit determines the nature of God’s works in creating and redeeming humanity. The reader of this book will grow in the understanding of God’s covenant fellowship in Himself and with His people.

“I [just] finished reading Engelsma’s new book Trinity and Covenant, and I must say enthusiastically that it is a wonderful book! Very very beautiful! How true it is what Prof. Engelsma writes there! How much would every Reformed believer benefit from the explanations in that little book!” – Italy

“Trinity and Covenant is essential reading and truly worth it’s weight in gold.” – Somerset

“I found Trinity and Covenant very good … I’m really enjoying the [CPRC material] on baptism, the covenant, etc … It is a new dimension.” – W. Midlands

To read a review of this book in the Beacon Lights, click here.
To read a review of this book in the Standard Bearer, click here.
To read a review of this book in the British Reformed Journal, click here.

To read an excerpt of this book in Afrikaans, click here.

To watch the video of the author interview concerning this book, click here.