Christian Faith: An Introduction to the Study of the Faith

by Berkhof, Hendrikus

• ISBN13: 9780802805485
• ISBN10: 0802805485
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Lightning Source Inc

Summary

In today's secular world, the Christian faith is viewed as only one aspect of what could be called "religious life." Acknowledging this, Hendrikus Berkhof begins this thought-provoking study with a sketch of religion and faith in general before narrowing it down to a discussion of the specific place of Christian faith in all of reality.

Author Biography

Hendrikus Berkhof is professor emeritus of dogmatics and biblical theology at the University of Leiden

Table of Contents

Why This Book?	p. xi
A Word from the Translator	p. xv
List of Abbreviations	p. xvii
Preface to the Revised Edition	p. xix
Introduction
Prolegomena	p. 1
Religion	p. 6
Faith	p. 12
Christian Faith	p. 19
Study of the Christian Faith: Motives and Essence	p. 26
Study of the Christian Faith: Reach and Limits	p. 34
Revelation
Internal Prolegomena	p. 43
Revelation: Phenomenological and Theological	p. 47
The Earthly Character of Revelation	p. 52
Revelation and Experience	p. 55
Revelation and Hiddenness	p. 60
The Duality of Revelation: Word and Spirit	p. 63
Revelation as History	p. 68
The Symbolic Language of Revelation	p. 72
Self-Revelation or Revelation of Truths	p. 79
General and Special Revelation	p. 81
Fixation and Transmission (Scripture and Tradition)	p. 84
The Provisional Character of Revelation	p. 108
GOD
Revelation and Essence	p. 113
Essence and Attributes	p. 119
Holy Love	p. 126
The Defenseless Superior Power	p. 140
The Changeable Faithfulness	p. 147
Creation
God as Creator	p. 155
The World as Createdness	p. 162
Man (I): Love and Freedom	p. 183
Man (II): Guilt and Fate	p. 192
The Preservation of the World	p. 215
Israel
Israel in the Christian Faith	p. 225
The Way of Israel in the Old Testament	p. 229
The Way of Israel in the New Testament	p. 253
Jesus the Son
In Search of the Historical Jesus	p. 271
The Person	p. 284
Life and Humanity	p. 298
Death and Reconciliation	p. 304
Resurrection and Glorification	p. 312
The Spirit and the Participation	p. 324
The Covenant as "Tri-(u)nity"	p. 335
The New Community
The Covenant as Community	p. 343
The Church as Institute	p. 349
The Church as the Body of Christ	p. 397
The People of God as the Firstfruits	p. 415
The Renewal of Man
Man the Purpose of God	p. 427
Judgment and Repentance	p. 432
Justification and Faith	p. 436
Guidance and Security	p. 449
Justification and Sanctification	p. 454
Freedom and Love	p. 459
Dying and Rising	p. 467
Struggle, Progress, and Perseverance	p. 471
The Completed Renewal	p. 486
Prayer	p. 494
The Renewal of the World
The Place of the World in the Faith	p. 503
The Sanctification of the World	p. 511
Progress and Struggle	p. 515
Ambivalence and Victory	p. 521
All Things New
Christ, the Spirit, and the Future	p. 525
Individuals, Mankind, and the Future	p. 529
Eternal Life	p. 537
Indexes
Principal Subjects	p. 547
Names	p. 556
Scripture References	p. 562
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