Christian Faith: An Introduction to the Study of the Faith

by Hendrikus Berkhof, Sierd Woudstra (Translator)

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. / For Berkhof the starting point in his systematic examination of Christian faith is revelation — the sources and norms for our knowledge of God. This leads to a discussion of God, creation, Israel, the person and work of Christ, the church, and finally, the renewal of the world and of humanity. Throughout the book Berkhof comments on (and often takes issues with) systematic theologians of the past. / Written for both the layperson and the scholar, the text is interspersed with excursuses (set off in smaller type than the main text) that cover specific subjects more thoroughly, citing sources, controversies, and other details which will be of particular interest to theologians and students.

Genres: Theology

220 pages, Hardcover

First published January 19, 1920

About the author

Hendrikus Berkhof was a professor of Systematic Theology at the University of Leiden.

Berkhof's work--titled "Science and the Biblical World-View"--appears as a chapter in part I (Introduction) of Science and Religion: New Perspectives on the Dialogue (1968), pages 43-53, ed. Ian Barbour
Christian Faith: An Introduction to the Study of the Faith, Hendrikus Berkhof (Translated by Sierd Woudstra), 2002, Wm. B. Eerdmans, ISBN 0-8028-0548-5
Two Hundred Years of Theology: Report of a Personal Journey, Hendrikus Berkhof (Translated by John Vriend), 1989, Books on Demand, ISBN 0-7837-7945-3
Christ and the Powers, Hendrikus Berkhof, (Translated by John Howard Yoder), 1977, Herald Press, 80 pages, ISBN 0-8361-1820-0
Christ the Meaning of History, Hendrikus Berkhof, 2004, Wipf & Stock Publishers, 224 pages, ISBN 1-5924-4638-8