Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #928212 in Books
• Published on: 1978-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback

Customer Reviews

Companion book
This book is a companion to Berkhof's Systematic Theology. I noticed one reviewer said if you wanted theology get his Systematic Theology instead. I say get them both and use them together (like they were intended to be used) and you will be enriched in your understanding of both Reformed theology and its history.

True Reformed Theology
In full disclosure, I write the following as a Roman Catholic Christian convert, from a Protestant background.
I have this book in my library as a good reminder of what led me to look at the liturgical church traditions and eventually Catholicism. Besides the permeation of rationalism that governs reformed theology in general, the most useful point of reference for me are the six little pages discussing the Apostolic Fathers and their Doctrinal Views (Section 1 under Prepatory Doctrinal Development).
It is here that we find a little gem (or should I say germ) of Reformed Theology. Berkhof's writing has a demeaning disrespect for the writings and teachings of the Apostolic Fathers that one does not encounter within the liturgical church traditions (Orthodoxy, Lutherism, Anglicanism etc), but that marks and indeed is necessary to maintain a Reformed Theological outlook.
Now, don't get me wrong. What Berkhof writes is "true" in a sense, but he fails to disclose the "why." This should have been included within his History of...
In paraphrase, Berkhof states the Apostolic Father's writings were dry, uninspired, repetitive, and simplistic. In and of themselves they have very little use. What Berkhof fails to state or even to speculate is why were the early writings in such a state.
Simply put, the writings are much in the same pattern of the New Testament writings (putting aside inspiration) i.e. leaning upon accepted scripture (Septuagint), repetitive, dry, moralistic etc. We lean upon God's Spirit to glean the truth's from holy writ, because as they stand the writings are dry to our natural disposition. I don't mean to offend anyone's sensibilities, but let's face it - reading and studying scripture is no easy task because many parts are just plain boring (not as good a read as Gresham or King) resulting in our better spiritual selves battling the flesh which is ready for a snoozefest.
So, why oh why, do we have a continuation of this writing style with the Apostolic Fathers? Well we can find the answer in Scripture. Taken from 2 of Thessalonians (written around AD 51 or 52 - about 20 years after Christ's death and resurrection) Chapter 2 vs. 15 states simply, "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us (NASB)."
Those of the liturgical traditions thus see the writings of the Apostolic Fathers i.e. a continuation of the Apostolic charism to carry on the church teachings and traditions. It is here we see the value and have respect for these writings. These same teachings and traditions that carried the church before the new testament scripture was canonized. The Church was reinterpreting the accepted Jewish scripture (which by the way was not formally canonized until some 200 years after Christ's death and resurrection), and did not have their New Testament scripture in canonized form - for some 280 years after Christ's death and resurrection.
So, here we see the Reformed against the Liturgical Church traditions. All starting from the assessment of the Apostolic Fathers. What follows in Berhof's writing are the fruit from the tree. Good for what it is, but in my opinion faulty from the first suppositions.

scholarly
It is interesting to see that there is someone who actually dug deep into the principles of christianity with an academia's mindset. He is excellent even if we do differ on some points of dogma. Anyway, its a book worth having because it unveils many things and gives you challenges to research and expand the vocabulary.