by Herman Bavinck
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
Translated by Olivia Jansen
With Study Questions for Reflection
In this modest volume, I seek to provide a clear exposition of the Christian faith as professed by Reformed Churches across all lands and ages.
The title, "Magnalia Dei," is drawn from Acts 2:11. There, we are told that the disciples of Jesus, upon receiving the Holy Spirit, began to proclaim the great works of God in languages understood by all. These great works of God do not refer solely to specific events, such as the resurrection of Christ, but rather encompass the entirety of the salvation history wrought by God through Christ. The Holy Spirit was poured out so that the congregation might come to know, glorify, and offer thanks and praise to God for these works.
This conveys the idea that the Christian religion is not merely a collection of words or doctrines, but is in essence a divine work, achieved in the past, unfolding in the present, and destined for completion in the future. The substance of the Christian faith is neither a scientific theory nor a philosophical formula explaining the world, but rather an acknowledgment and confession of the great works of God, which span the ages, encompass the entire world, and will find fulfillment in the new heavens and the new earth where righteousness dwells.
Such understanding is no longer widely grasped or appreciated. The knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, is steadily declining. Interest in the mysteries of the kingdom of God diminishes daily, not only outside but also within Christian circles. Fewer and fewer live by the truth with their whole heart and soul, nourishing themselves with it daily. Those who still accept it often see it merely as a set of teachings, perhaps worthy of belief, but disconnected from life and irrelevant to the present.
Several reasons account for this lamentable state of affairs.
The demands placed on those preparing for or engaged in various professions are so heavy that there is neither pleasure nor time left for other pursuits. Life has become so rich and complex that obtaining an overview requires great effort. Political, social, and philanthropic interests increasingly claim our time and strength. The reading of daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, and brochures consumes our free moments. There is neither the desire nor the opportunity to study the Scriptures or the old theological works.
Moreover, those old works are no longer in tune with our times. Differences in language, style, thought, and expression make them feel foreign to us. Issues once deemed paramount have lost much, if not all, of their significance. New interests, not addressed by these works, now dominate our attention. Enemies they once fought no longer exist, have been replaced, or engage us in entirely different ways.
We are children of a new era, living in a different century. Clinging to old forms merely because they are old is futile and contradicts our own confession. Precisely because the Christian faith is the recognition of a divine work spanning from the beginning of time to our present day, its essence is timeless, but its form must be contemporary. No matter the good that works like Frank's "Kern," Marck's "Merg," and Brakel's "Redeemer's Religion" did in their time, they cannot be revived today. They no longer resonate with the younger generation and inadvertently suggest that Christianity is outdated. Hence, there is a pressing need for a work that can stand in place of the fathers' writings, presenting the old truth in a form that meets contemporary demands.
Much progress has been made in this direction. Since the Reformed faith and theology saw revival and growth in the last century, numerous attempts have been made to adapt the old confession to modern understanding. The contributions of Dr. Kuyper, especially through his rich catechetical expositions, cannot be overstated. Yet, there remains a lack of a work that explains the Christian faith's content in an accessible manner for the broader populace, kept within reach by its modest size and price.
This book aims to fill that gap, offering instruction in the Christian religion to the congregation. While the author of this handbook on Reformed doctrine is aware of his limitations, this awareness should not lead to despair and inactivity but should instead drive one to exert all effort and rely on the help of Him who perfects His strength in our weakness.
I do not envisage scholars as the primary readers of this work, those well-versed in the rich and profound thoughts of Scripture as formulated in Reformed theology. Instead, I have in mind ordinary church members, those preparing through catechism for admission to Holy Communion, or those maintaining an interest in the truth's knowledge. I particularly consider the young men and women, often already training for their future professions in workplaces, factories, stores, offices, higher education institutions, or grammar schools, where they frequently encounter objections to the Christian faith.
Many among them still desire to believe but find it exceedingly difficult due to their environment and the objections they hear. Their confession often lacks joy and enthusiasm. Yet, if the truth is rightly understood, joy and enthusiasm will return. When the works of God are seen in their true light, they naturally inspire admiration and worship. We then perceive that the Christian faith not only deserves belief but also possesses an intrinsic beauty, grounded in its inner truth and glory, appealing to the conscience. We then thank God, not because we must, but because we may believe. We come to realize the relevance of our faith to our thoughts and lives. Each in our own language, we begin anew to proclaim the great works of God.
H. Bavinck. Amsterdam, May 1907
MAGNALIA DEI
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Table of Contents
FOREWORD
PREFACE
1 THE HIGHEST GOOD
2 THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
3 GENERAL REVELATION
4 THE VALUE OF GENERAL REVELATION
5 SPECIAL REVELATION (The mode of revelation).
6 SPECIAL REVELATION (The content of Revelation).
7 THE HOLY SCRIPTURE
8 SCRIPTURE AND CONFESSION
9 THE BEING OF GOD
10 THE TRINITY OF GOD
11 CREATION AND PROVIDENCE
12 ORIGIN, NATURE AND DESTINY OF MANKIND
13 SIN AND DEATH
14 THE COVENANT OF GRACE
15 THE MEDIATOR OF THE COVENANT
16 THE DIVINE AND HUMAN NATURE OF CHRIST
17 THE WORK OF CHRIST IN HIS HUMILIATION
18 THE WORK OF CHRIST IN HIS EXALTATION
19 THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
20 THE CALLING
21 THE JUSTIFICATION
22 THE SANCTIFICATION
23 THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
24 ETERNAL LIFE