The Heart of Dogmatics: Christology and Christocentrism in Herman Bavinck. By Bruce Pass

Abstract

This is a detailed and clearly written study of Herman Bavinck (1854–1921) as a systematic theologian, focusing on the ‘centre’ of his theology. This task is not easy since various suggestions about what constitutes the centre of Bavinck’s theology have been proposed: covenant of grace, salvation history, grace restoring nature, and mystical union. Further, Bavinck himself speaks of a ‘centre’ in various ways; and not consistently. Pass’s analysis leads him to conclude ‘there is good reason to think that the doctrine that lies at the centre of Bavinck’s system is Christology’ (p. 16). Key for Pass’s interpretation is Bavinck’s important statement: ‘The doctrine of Christ is not the starting point (uitgangspunt), but it is indeed the centre (middelpunt) of the whole system of dogmatics. All other dogmas either prepare for it or are inferred from it. In it, as the heart of dogmatics, pulses the whole...