Concise Reformed Dogmatics (van Genderen & Velema)

Doctrine and life form a unity, the authors believe, and the knowledge and study of theology are of direct importance to ethics, preaching, and the life of faith.

This full treatment of Reformed systematic theology is accessible to church officers and interested lay readers, as well as teachers and students of theology. As in the celebrated Dutch edition, it is formatted with two visually distinct levels of discussion for use either as an introduction to theology or in advanced study.

Drs. J. van Genderen and W. H. Velema provide a complete, single-volume discussion of the many themes that belong in a dogmatics handbook: revelation, God, the decree of God, creation, providence, man as God's image, sin, Christ the mediator, the covenant of grace, salvation, the church, the means of grace, and eschatology. They take into account contemporary problems and deal critically with views of modern theology.

"It is our heartfelt wish that this dogmatics, in which we, in keeping with our confession, recognize Holy Scripture to be the sole binding standard, may help readers to understand what is believed in the church on the basis of the Bible. Dogmatics is focused on the knowledge and service of God. The highest purpose to which we set ourselves in articulating Christian doctrine is the glorification of the name of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." - From the preface

Authors

Dr. W. H. Velema is a professor emeritus at the Theological University of the Christian Reformed Churches in the Netherlands in Apeldoorn. He taught, among other subjects, apologetics, ethics, and homeletics.

Dr. J van Genderen was a professor at the Theological University of the Christian Reformed Churches in the Netherlands in Apeldoorn. He taught dogmatics, the history of doctrine, and symbolics (the creeds).

Endorsements

“This translation is a most welcome example of contemporary conservative dogmatic theology in our post-conservative age.” — Derek W. H. Thomas

“For all but a few English speakers, insight into the world of contemporary confessional Dutch Reformed theology is limited to occasional glimpses. This translation opens a helpful, orthodox, window on discussions in the Netherlands and beyond and is a welcome contribution to the renaissance of Reformed dogmatics in our time.”  — R. Scott Clark

"Biblically based, confessionally rooted, and committed to the best of the Reformed tradition, notably Calvin and Bavinck. The authors are conversant with twentieth-century figures from Barth to Pannenberg. They explore a wide range of Dutch theologians. And they engage critical exegesis of Scripture, intellectual movements such a verificationism in philosophy, and social trends such as feminism. The church's mission and pastoral practice are never out of view. Even those who might disagree here and there with a detail will be well rewarded by this thorough and thoughtful work." - John Bolt

"For all but a few English speakers, insight into the world of contemporary confessional Dutch Reformed theology is limited to occasional glimpses. This translation opens a helpful, orthodox, window on discussions in the Netherlands and beyond and is a welcome contribution to the renaissance of Reformed dogmatics in our time." - R. Scott Clark, Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology, Westminster Seminary California

"At a time when there seems to be renewed interest in the Reformation and, specifically, the Reformed stream, this concise theology is a wellspring of the best that our confession has to offer in the desert of American religion. This is a treasure to be read again and again, making the heart leap for joy!" - Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California