The doctrine of the covenant in reformed theology1 at present there is general agreement that the doctrine of the covenants is a peculiarly reformed doctrine. Vos was born to a dutch reformed pastor in heerenveen in friesland in the netherlands. Though representing the early theological thought of one of the premier reformed thinkers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, geerhardus vos reformed dogmatics, originally published in five volumes as gereformeerde dogmatiek, has never been available to an english audienceuntil now. He writes, in biblical theology the principle is one of historical, in systematic theology it is one of logical construction. We need to address the total weight of the teaching of scripture in these areas, so that we can confront our faulty inclinations.
Systematic theology westminster theological seminary. In the book biblical theology, geerhardus vos aim is no less than to provide an account of the unfolding of the mind of god in history, through the successive agents of his special revelation. In distinction from doctrinal or systematic theology, biblical theology follows the progressively unfolding revelation of gods words and deeds through history. He is the author of more than a dozen books including the bestselling systematic theology.
In 1893 he was invited to princeton seminary, where he had studied, to teach biblical theology. Geerhardus voss most popular book is biblical theology. It follows the flow of biblical theology, beginning in the ot and moving into the nt. But now you too can access geerhardus vos monumental work of systematic theology. Tipton joins camden bucey to begin a new series on geerhardus vos important book, biblical theology. In seven books, it covers the traditional topics of revelation, god, man, christ, personal salvation, and the church.
Systematic theology is a discipline which addresses theological topics one by one e. Westminster follows in the footsteps of the great reformed theologians. The aim of this book is to provide an account of the unfolding of the mind of god in history, through the successive agents of his special revelation. At present there is general agreement that the doctrine of the covenants is a peculiarly reformed doctrine.
Having been in print since 1872, this book has served as a primary textbook in many leading seminaries. During his tenure at princeton theological seminary, and later through his systematic theology, charles hodge has contributed to the training of many thousands of theology students. Theology proper volume 1 9781577995838 by geerhardus vos, richard b. Christology and millions of other books are available for amazon. Sep 23, 2014 systematic theology, by contrast with biblical theology, approaches the bible as a completed divine revelation, taking account of all that has been said and carefully noting what has been superseded and what is truth unchanged, unchanging. Full text of rare vos books such as the mosaic origin of the pentateuchal codes, charis, and western rhymes. The aim of this book is no less than to provide an account of the unfolding of. The relationship between systematic theology and biblical. Historians might argue its not exactly a systematic theology, but its theology at its best. Which is to say that biblical theology goes in order along the line of history, while systematic theology is more like a bucket or a circle. He studied at the university of berlin, the university of strasburg, and finally calvin college then the theological school of the christian reformed church, where he delivered the lectures that would become the reformed dogmatics. In 1881, when geerhardus was 19 years old, his father, jan vos, accepted a call to be the pastor of the christian reformed church congregation in grand rapids, michigan.
So far im really please with my choice of systematic theology to provide that foundation. Oct 22, 2010 analysis of geerhardus vos nature and method of biblical theology. Biblical theology is about the chronological unfolding of special revelation, while systematic theology is about the logical ordering vos describes the difference between systematic theology and. Vos, is one of the forgotten giants of old princton theology. Though this fivevolume set is systematic in nature, geerhardus vos brings the. It does not discuss systematic theology in any way, so you will not find sections of different theology as you would in say geislers set. God, sin, humanity and attempts to summarize all the biblical teaching on each particular subject. The relationship between biblical theology and systematic theology i 2 to analyse the passage for eternal truths, just to communicate what paul was originally saying to his first hearers by being as faithful to the text as possible, and to apply it to the present time.
Geerhardus vos 18621949, a dutch american theologian, is considered by many to be the father of modern reformed biblical theology. Jul 10, 2003 geerhardus vos was born in the netherlands, immigrating to the united states in 1881 at the age of 19. Books by geerhardus vos author of biblical theology. Reformed dogmatics five volume set vos, geerhardus. Kerux a primer on biblical theologybiblical theology approaches the bible as an organic drama of gods unfolding revelation through history. This book by vos is, to put it simply, excellent and immensely rewarding. To read these pagesthe fruit of vos 39 years of teaching biblical theology at princeton is to appreciate the late john murrays suggestion that geerhardus vos was the most incisive exegete in the englishspeaking world of the twentieth century. Theologian, author, and longtime professor of biblical theology at princeton theological seminary, geerhardus johannes vos was born in march, 1862 at heerenveen, netherlands.
Systematic theology books recommended by joe morecraft duration. May 28, 2014 biblical theology in the book biblical theology, geerhardus vos aim is no less than to provide an account of the unfolding of the mind of god in history, through the successive agents of his special revelation. Jun 07, 2017 geerhardus vos on christology and hermeneutics daniel ragusa 7 june 2017 old testament systematic theology i have been working through the third volume of geerhardus vos reformed dogmatics on christology and have appreciated the implications he draws throughout for properly understanding the old testament revelation. He wrote other books, such as biblical theology, the teaching of jesus concerning the kingdom of god, and the church, pauline eschatology, redemptive history and biblical interpretation. Wayne grudem is research professor of theology and biblical studies at phoenix seminary in phoenix, arizona. Notes on biblical theology by geerhardus vos, paperback. Aug 30, 2011 the doctrine of the covenant in reformed theology by geerhardus vos has been made available for free at monergism for download in kindle format. This brandnew english translation was edited by biblical theologian. The relationship between biblical theology and systematic. He wrote other books, such as biblical theology,the teaching of jesus concerning the kingdom of god.
We all have areas where our understanding of the bibles teaching is lacking. Systematic theology has practical benefits for our lives. I love how geerhardus vos explains the differences between biblical theology and systematic theology. Vos is perhaps best known to english speakers for his books pauline eschatology, published in 1930, and biblical theology. This means that systematic theology gratefully accepts and assimilates all that biblical theology has to offer. Vos employs a catechetical questionandanswer approach, making. These valuable pages contain the ripe fruit of the 39 years which vos spent teaching biblical theology at princeton, until his retirement in 1932. Geerhardus vos reformed dogmatics represents the early theological.
He holds degrees from harvard ab, westminster theological seminary mdiv, dd, and cambridge phd. At their best, biblical theology and systematic theology interact and help to deepen one another. Analysis of geerhardus vos nature and method of biblical. He and his eightperson team painstakingly translated. Vos strong grounding in biblical scholarship and biblical theology makes his reformed dogmatics unique, bringing a fresh biblical perspective.
It is biblically based, explains doctrines fully but clearly, and applies theology to life. Riddleblog outline of geerhardus vos biblical theology. The text is chock full of beautiful insights and poignant theology. Jul 22, 2010 in addition, biblical theology more broadly conceived can study the themes that are distinctive to a particular book of the bible, or to books written by a single human author for example, pauls letters. Studying systematic theology helps us overcome our wrong ideas. Geerhardus vos on christology and hermeneutics reformed forum. Whether this is the books greatest strength or its achilles heel.
For it might be said of systematic theology, nay of the whole of theology, with equal. Revelation is absolutely necessary for man to have a true. Such a historical approach is not meant to supplant the work of the systematic theologian. Vos drew upon existing textbooks and resources to write his own lectures.
Collected in the select works of geerhardus vos, these 14 volumes represent the majority of his lifes work, demonstrating his thorough knowledge of biblical theology, eschatology. People have lauded vos as the father of reformed biblical theology and thus they. Tipton has led the vos group at calvary orthodox presbyterian church in glenside, pa. An introduction to geerhardus vos biblical theology. His explanation on what biblical theology is, is very helpfull. Though these five volumes are systematic in nature, geerhardus vos brings the skills and acumen of a biblical theologian to the task. To read these pages the fruit of voss 39 years of teaching biblical theology at princeton is to appreciate the late john murrays suggestion that geerhardus vos was the most incisive exegete in the englishspeaking world of the twentieth century. Biblical theology by geerhardus vos banner of truth usa. Perhaps more than any other theologian at the turn of the twentieth century, geerhardus vos directed the future of reformed theology with his teaching at princeton theological seminary and his timeless writings. Geerhardus vos 18621949 was an american calvinist theologian who taught biblical theology at princeton theology from 18931932. Geerhardus vos author biography banner of truth usa. Raised in a pious home his father was a minister in the christelijkegereformeerde kerk vos graduated from amsterdam gymnasium in 1881.
798 705 1106 139 1137 1396 564 370 1100 559 96 1133 1559 135 706 977 893 1305 1433 1561 1557 1495 1510 898 698 633 1278 1156 170 319 117 897 566 840 321 390 1070 379