Systematic Theology
Louis Berkhof’s Systematic Theology is his magnum opus, deserved to be read by serious students of God’s Word. Originally published in 1958, Banner of Truth’s expanded edition contains Berkhof’s Introductory Volume, which was designed to be read together with the Systematic Theology itself.
Doctrine and Discussion
The 200-page introductory volume contains two sections: The Idea and History of Dogmatic Theology and The Principia of Dogmatics. Most interesting to me was the discussion on “The Seat of Religion.” Berkhof asks where the real seat of religion is in the human soul in order to understand its proper nature. He says that it has its seat in (1) the intellect, (2) the will, (3) the feelings, and (4) the heart. Berkhof sees the whole man as subservient to God in every sphere of life.
The Systematic Theology proper is divided into six parts: (1) The doctrine of God, (2) The doctrine of man in relation to God, (3) The doctrine of the person and work of Christ, (4) The doctrine of the application of the work of redemption, (5) The doctrine of the church and of the means of grace, and (6) The doctrine of the last things.
Pointed and Brief, Thoroughly Reformed
I found Berkhof to be characteristically pointed and brief. This is shown when he is able to give various viewpoints for different arguments. For instance, when speaking of “the so-called rational proofs for the existence of God,” he is able to distill the ontological argument, the cosmological argument, the teleological argument, the moral argument, and the historical or ethnological argument to their main points.
To be sure, Berkhof is thoroughly Reformed. For instance, when speaking about common grace, Berkhof states that “Reformed theology does not, like Arminian theology, regard the doctrine of common grace as a part of Soteriology.” His questions for further study help the reader to think through his arguments, and his referenced literature often finds Bavinck and Kuyper at the forefront.
Theological Depth and God-Exalting Delight
Aeshetically, this is a handsome cloth-bound book, presenting a distinguished and classic look that is iconic for Banner of Truth. With a page count of 1,048 pages, this is a hefty volume that will entice you to serious study.
Berkhof’s Systematic Theology is a self-contained work that is beautifully coherent and brilliantly cohesive. It is the first you will want to consult for brevity and breadth, and it is one you will want to return to for theological depth and God-exalting delight.
I received a media copy of Systematic Theology (Amazon, 10% off at Westminster Books and save an additional 5% off your entire order anytime with code DIVEINDIGDEEP) and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.