The Church and Social Problems

by Louis Berkhof

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 1913

Overview

The church, says Berkhof, is not only concerned with the redemption of individuals, but with the redemption of society. In this volume, Berkhof addresses critics who claim the church ignores social problems. The Church and Social Problems interacts with thinkers as diverse as Walter Rauschenbusch, Jacques Rousseau, Josiah Strong, Abraham Kuyper, J.R. Campbell, and others. Berkhof addresses current events plaguing the first two decades of the twentieth century, from the demise of cities to the controversy over Prohibition, labor, and other issues. He also cautions individuals in the church against a Gospel too “other-worldly,” and discusses—in frank terms—the social implications of the Reformed doctrine of common grace.

Product Details

• Title: The Church and Social Problems
• Author: Louis Berkhof
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 1913
• Pages: 23

About Louis Berkhof

Louis Berkhof was born in 1873 in the Netherlands, and immigrated with his family to West Michigan in 1882. In 1893, he began attending the Theological School of the Christian Reformed Church (now Calvin Theological Seminary), where he studied under Hendericus Beuker and was influenced by the writings of Abraham Kuyper and Herman Bavinck. Berkhof graduated from Calvin Theological Seminary in 1900 and became the pastor of First Christian Reformed Church in Allendale, Michigan. He attended Princeton Theological Seminary from 1902 to 1904, where he studied under B.B. Warfield and Geerhardus Vos. H. Henry Meeter, a friend of Berkhof, remarked that “Berkhof frequently said that he owed more to Vos than anyone else for his insights into Reformed theology” (Reformed Theology in America, 156).

Berkfhof returned to Michigan in 1904 and became pastor of Oakdale Park Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids. In 1906, he was appointed professor of exegetical theology at Calvin Theological Seminary, and in 1926, became professor of dogmatic theology. He also delivered the Stone Lectures at Princeton in 1921. On September 9, 1931, Berkhof became president of Calvin Theological Seminary, where he served until his retirement in 1944. During his lifetime, he wrote prolifically, including numerous volumes on theology, social issues, politics, education, and missions. In addition to his books, he also published countless articles in Reformed periodicals, such as The Banner, De Wachter, and the Calvin Forum. He also served as the first president of the Reformed Ecumenical Synod in 1946.

Louis Berkhof died in 1957.

Sample Pages from the Print Edition

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Contents

Top Highlights

“In the fourth place the Church should not neglect to bring the gospel to the submerged masses in the downtown districts of our great cities.” (Page 19)

“In the second place the Church should never forget the social message entrusted to her” (Page 18)

“The Church, in the fifth place, ought to make a thorough study of all the problems that present themselves in social life and of the movements for social betterment, in order that she may know what stand to take in regard to these and how to guide her own forces in the struggle for reform.” (Page 20)

“In the third place it is the duty of the Church to exemplify her teachings in this respect in her own social life.” (Page 19)

“In the first place the Church should be the nursery of true, healthy, virile spiritual life” (Page 18)

Product Details

• Title: The Church and Social Problems
• Author: Louis Berkhof
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 1913
• Logos Release Date: 2009
• Era: era:modern
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Church and social problems
• Resource ID: LLS:CHRCHBERKHOF
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2020-03-24T22:02:25Z

About Louis Berkhof

Louis Berkhof (1873–1957) was a Reformed theologian whose works remain highly influential. He taught at at Calvin Theological Seminary from 1906 and served as its president from 1931–1944.

Berkhof’s writings, including his Systematic Theology, presented Reformed thought in the tradition of John Calvin, Abraham Kuyper, and Herman Bavinck. Throughout his tenure at Calvin, he stressed the importance of orthodoxy, a focus shown in his works.

Sample Pages from The Church and Social Problems