James Eglinton - Bavinck: A Critical Biography

Because so much of Bavincks corpus has only recently been translated, we in the English-speaking world have not yet had the full benefit of Bavincks rich thought, which seems unique in how it stays fully biblical while taking into account the history of the church, of philosophy, and of social currents. But no one can grasp the theology of an Augustine or Aquinas, a Calvin or Luther, without knowing their life and context. Eglinton has provided this in his new critical biography of the greatest Reformed theologian of the twentieth century. It is a very important yet highly readable volume.

Timothy Keller , pastor emeritus, Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New York City

Of obvious interest to those concerned with Reformed and neo-Calvinist traditions, this probing biography also speaks to the enduring questions of Christ and culture as it explores how one Christian inhabited his orthodox faith in a complex and changing world. Indeed, the range of timeless topics that Bavinck explored with wisdom and prescience is staggering. As Eglinton invites us into Bavincks faithful and creative engagement with pluralism, psychology, Nietzsche, education for women, evangelism, missions, racism in America, and politics, we see that we still have much to learn from this member of the great cloud of witnesses.

Kristen Deede Johnson , Western Theological Seminary

In 1910, a Scottish theologian who had recently visited the Netherlands referred in a lecture to Herman Bavinck as Dr. Kuypers loyal and learned henchman. Now, a hundred and ten years later, another Scottish scholar sets the record straight. James Eglinton demonstrates that Bavinck was no ones henchman, but a brilliant, creative theologian in his own right. This important book confirms what many of us have been convinced of for some time now: Bavincks time has come as a world-class theologian for our own day.

Richard Mouw , president emeritus, Fuller Theological Seminary

Scholarly but accessible, this biography offers an account of Bavincks life and work in its historical context, resisting the temptation to co-opt him to, or interpret him via, the concerns of later theological parties and conflicts. A wonderful companion volume to the Dogmatics .

Carl R. Trueman , Grove City College

In James Eglinton, Herman Bavinck has the biographer he so richly deserves, his own Scottish James Boswell. Especially illuminating is the additional material on Hermans father, Jan Bavinck; the young Herman; Hermans wife, Johanna Schippers-Bavinck; and the legacy of their daughter and grandsons, all noteworthy on their own. This will be the definitive Bavinck biography for generations.

John Bolt , Calvin Theological Seminary (emeritus)

For too long, Bavinck studies has operated on the assumption that he was often at odds with his confessionally orthodox self in his alleged adulteration of Christianity with modern thought and culture. Eglintons narrative critically debunks assumptions of this sort and convincingly portrays Bavincks multifaceted life as a testimony to his eclectic theology, which concertedly endeavored to remain committed to Christ at every single point of creaturely existence.

Shao Kai Tseng , Institute of Religious Studies, Zhejiang University, China