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In this classic work, theologian Herman Bavinck reflects on the Christian's call to publicly profess the name of Christ.Chapters include:I. The Basis or Foundation of ConfessionII. The Training or Bringing Up Unto ConfessionIII. The Rule of ConfessionIV. The Essence of ConfessionV. The Contents of ConfessionVI.
The Diversity of ConfessionVII. The Universality of Confession In this classic work, theologian Herman Bavinck reflects on the Christian's call to publicly profess the name of Christ.Chapters include:I. The Basis or Foundation of ConfessionII. The Training or Bringing Up Unto ConfessionIII.
Thus, the first meaning of a “sacrifice of praise” is that our worship, our praise and thanksgiving, must flow from a heart that is obedient to God, generous to the poor, and unsullied by worldly affections. There is an intrinsic connection between worship and holiness. In modern English, the words sacrifice and praise don’t seem to go together. Sacrifice often carries the meaning of suffering, enduring hardship in order to fulfill a duty, like a mother sacrificing her own needs to care for her children.
The Rule of ConfessionIV. The Essence of ConfessionV.
The Contents of ConfessionVI. The Diversity of ConfessionVII. The Universality of ConfessionVIII. The Obligation to ConfessionIX. The Opposition to ConfessionX. The Strength for ConfessionXI. The Reward of ConfessionXII.
The Triumph of Confession. Note: This book was provided free of charge by Hendrickson Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.Although he may not be familiar to many potential readers, Herman Bavinck was one of the leading lights of late 19th and early 20th century Dutch Reformed thinking, along with his sometime rival Abraham Kuyper, who is perhaps more familiar to contemporary readers. This book is an English translation of one of the author's works that is particularly focused on Reformed catechetical Note: This book was provided free of charge by Hendrickson Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.Although he may not be familiar to many potential readers, Herman Bavinck was one of the leading lights of late 19th and early 20th century Dutch Reformed thinking, along with his sometime rival Abraham Kuyper, who is perhaps more familiar to contemporary readers. This book is an English translation of one of the author's works that is particularly focused on Reformed catechetical theology, and is of particular interest to readers who either share the author's Calvinist perspective or who are at least curious about the implications of Calvinist thinking when it comes to the aspects of praise that are involved in the life of a Christian. Herman Bavinck is one of my favourite theologians of all time.
Hes probably most well-known for his Reformed Dogmatics, which have been translated pretty recently making the wisdom of Bavinck available for a new English-speaking generation. The Dutch Reformed Theologian is often seen in a more academic light, most often on the shelves of pastors and theologians, and understandably so, and The Sacrifice of Praise certainly has a place on the shelves of this crowd. However, as the interpreters Herman Bavinck is one of my favourite theologians of all time. He’s probably most well-known for his Reformed Dogmatics, which have been translated pretty recently making the wisdom of Bavinck available for a new English-speaking generation. The Dutch Reformed Theologian is often seen in a more academic light, most often on the shelves of pastors and theologians, and understandably so, and “The Sacrifice of Praise” certainly has a place on the shelves of this crowd. However, as the interpreter’s forward states, this short work is “best understood as a work of catechetical theology, suitable for sharing with baptized Christians on the occasion of their public profession of faith and admission to the Lord’s table.” This book is appropriate for a wide range of audience, as it is focused on the public confession of a Christian of Jesus as Lord in the context of first receiving the Lord’s Supper, but also speaks to a multitude of things relevant to a Christian walk. Confession does not end when proclaimed once before a congregation, it begins before this and extends beyond.Confession of faith is a necessity in word, deed, and all of life.
This confession is the central topic of this book of under 100 pages. There are 12 chapters of around 5 to 6 pages each. This makes it an ideal gift for the young person of faith to read before partaking of the Lord’s Supper. The chapters are short enough to maintain attention, but definitely rich with the wisdom of Bavinck.
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A wide variety of topics are addressed, from the foundation, rule, essence, and content of confession to its universality, opposition, obligation, strength, reward, and triumph.The introduction lays out the historical context in which the book was written as well as some theological differences between Kuyper and Bavinck on assumed regeneration. To Bavinck, the public confessing of one’s faith helped guard against the false sense of salvific security that was a danger in Kuyper’s view. He lays out in this work that a public confession calls one to a life of repentance and faith, not just in one moment, but a continual part of the Christian life. The epilogue that is included is a review from when the book was originally published which shows how the book was originally received.“The Sacrifice of Praise” will help the reader to see that confession is richer and deeper than just the doctrinal statements of various churches, but is a thing of the heart and requires genuine faith.
Even though he has been dead for a hundred years, Bavinck will show modern readers that confession is more than just one solemn hour of confession before returning to life as before. Confession is closely connected to the childhood faith that precedes and the common life of daily confession that follows. Genuine confession comes from faith which is a gift of God and a fruit of the Holy Spirit.This is not the only English translation of this work, but it uses more modern, updated language, and includes Scripture references where previously scripture was quoted but no citation given. It still has an air of being more on the academic side, but is still accessible to the average layman.This little book is ideal for new believers, catechumens, and especially children of believers about to make a public profession of faith and partake of the Lord’s table. “The Sacrifice of Praise” is great for any age, though particularly young readers will likely need assistance in understanding. Though short, Bavinck’s “Sacrifice of Praise is a classic, fit for the Christian of any level of faith.Many thanks to Hendrickson Publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.
Herman Bavinck is a Dutch Reformed theologian from the late 19th and early 20th century, known for a four volume work on systematic theology called Reformed Dogmatics. In the past few decades, his work has become more widely known in English-speaking circles and he is renowned as a Reformed scholar clearly equal with the likes of B.B. A newly translated work published by Hendrickson Publishers shows another side to Bavinck: he was a churchman with pastoral concern for the practical Herman Bavinck is a Dutch Reformed theologian from the late 19th and early 20th century, known for a four volume work on systematic theology called Reformed Dogmatics. In the past few decades, his work has become more widely known in English-speaking circles and he is renowned as a Reformed scholar clearly equal with the likes of B.B. A newly translated work published by Hendrickson Publishers shows another side to Bavinck: he was a churchman with pastoral concern for the practical Christian faith of the average believer.' The Sacrifice of Praise' was first published in Dutch in 1901 and went through several reprintings and editions over the next twenty years.
The editors of this edition estimate that around 40,000 copies of the work were produced during that time. In 1920 the work was translated into English by John Dolfin a Reformed pastor in western Michigan.
The translators of this work wanted to capture Bavinck’s style more directly and fix some errors in the translation. They also wanted to highlight the many Scriptural references in Bavinck’s writing by providing chapter and verse references — using the text of the English Standard Version (ESV) where possible.As for the content of this work, it 'is best understood as a work of catechetical theology, suitable for sharing with baptized Christians on the occasion of their public profession of faith and admission to the Lord’s table' (pg. The book focuses on the call for Christians to publicly confess Christ. 'Lips that acknowledge Christ' are 'a sacrifice of praise,' according to Hebrews 13:15; and it is this passage which gives the book its title.Bavinck writes with warmth and life. Each page is replete with biblical references. He treats all sides of his topic and goes from baptism and parental instruction, to church confessions, to Christian unity in the faith and Christian duty in the public sphere, and ends with an exultation in the ultimate confession the Church will share with Christ in heaven. He exults in his Lord and his joy is contagious.I must admit I found the first four chapters (of 12) a bit challenging.
They contain a heavy dose of traditional covenant theology and an assumption of infant baptism (albeit with a distinction made that baptism does not regenerate or save the child). The background provided in the introduction prepares the reader by rehashing some of the Dutch Reformed Church controversies of the era when Bavinck wrote.
As a Baptist who appreciates Reformed theology I still found those chapters slightly difficult. The rest of the work was more directly relevant, but even in those first few chapters there is much that can be gleaned on the importance of training our children to know and confess Christ.
As a side note, I found it intriguing that Bavinck admits 'in the New Testament baptism was mostly administered to adults' and only later 'became generally acceptable' (p. 34).Baptist quibbles aside, I found the work practical and helpful. He covers the topic from both a personal and familial perspective as well as from a corporate and even universal point of view. He details the opposition that we face in standing up for Christ and laments the loss of Christian unity in his day. His thoughts, grounded in Scripture as they are, remain helpful for every era. A concluding paragraph from his chapter on the universality of confession provides a sample of Bavinck’s style:'Thus godliness is beneficial toward all things, having the promise not only of the future but also of the present life.
Whoever seeks first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, to them all things will be added Matt. The best Christian is the best citizen. With their confession, they neither stand outside of nor in opposition to the natural life. But highly and proudly, they carry their confession into the world and everywhere plant the banner of the cross. The gospel of Christ is a joyful message for all creation — for mind and heart, for soul and body, for family and society, for science and art. For it delivers from guilt and redeems from death.
'It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes' Rom. 57)Now for a small amount of criticism: I believe the editors missed several Scripture references. The first sentence in the quote above could have a reference to 1 Tim. 14:17 could be added on p. 16, and 1 Thess. 85, to name a few more. Additionally, the ESV is used for the verses at the top of each chapter, yet there is an odd case with chapter 5.
There the verse quoted is Acts 8:37 (found in the footnote but not the text). I would think at least a note would be in order explaining that the verse in Bavinck’s text is not included in modern versions (like the ESV) today (and why). There was also one glaring misprint in the endnotes section (note 1 for chapter 4 appears as note 49).To sum up my review, I found 'The Sacrifice of Praise' to be an attractively packaged book and a helpful introduction to Bavinck and his theological writing.
I greatly enjoyed interacting with his material. Even if you are not Reformed, you will benefit from this book.For those who are Reformed, the foreword mentions that this work by Bavinck could be read with two other similar works intended to teach believers: 'The Wonderful Works of God' (an overview of Christian doctrine from a Reformed perspective – to be republished by Westminster Books later this year), and 'Saved by Grace: The Holy Spirit’s Work in Calling and Regeneration' (a work explaining/defending infant baptism). These works may be worth getting and reading along with this fantastic work.Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher.
The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review.
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