Brakel set and ????

[nwink]

Help me decide. I have Brakel's theology set and am thinking of getting another larger theology set that would go well with and complement Brakel's set. Which would you choose? Bavinck? Turretin? Works of Owen or Boston?

 

[py3ak]

Turretin is probably the most vital source for detailed Reformed theology. Bavinck is certainly magnificent, but I think one is in a better position to appreciate his rather oblique approach once one is familiar with the more conventional exposition of mainstream Reformed views. If I could only read one I would choose Turretin; if I could only reread one I might choose Bavinck.

 

[irresistible_grace]

Turretin is probably the most vital source for detailed Reformed theology. Bavinck is certainly magnificent, but I think one is in a better position to appreciate his rather oblique approach once one is familiar with the more conventional exposition of mainstream Reformed views. If I could only read one I would choose Turretin; if I could only reread one I might choose Bavinck.

The Institutes of Elenctic Theology??? or is there another place to start with Turrentin for those of us whose curiosity has been peaked (but don't have $83.80 to drop right now)?

 

[irresistible_grace]

Help me decide. I have Brakel's theology set and am thinking of getting another larger theology set that would go well with and complement Brakel's set. Which would you choose? Bavinck? Turretin? Works of Owen or Boston?

If you are looking at Owen, I hear this is a great place to start Biblical Theology - Reformation Heritage Books

If you don't already own it Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life is on Sale!

 

[JP Wallace]

I'd go for Owen, just gradually build up your set if you want buying secondhand volumes, rather than go all out and by all 16 volumes (+Hebrews).

I'm working my way through Volume 3 on the Holy Spirit and really I don't think some of this material is available so completely anywhere else. I have not read these two but I would imagine one advantage of Owen over them is that as well as the doctrine you'll get copious application as well. That's not a criticism of the other two, just am (assumed) observation on the nature of the collected works compared with the two systematics collections.

Having said that I keep looking at Bavinck and Turretin.

 

[JimmyH]

Turretin is probably the most vital source for detailed Reformed theology. Bavinck is certainly magnificent, but I think one is in a better position to appreciate his rather oblique approach once one is familiar with the more conventional exposition of mainstream Reformed views. If I could only read one I would choose Turretin; if I could only reread one I might choose Bavinck.

The Institutes of Elenctic Theology??? or is there another place to start with Turrentin for those of us whose curiosity has been peaked (but don't have $100+ to drop right now)?

More like $83.00 with free shipping...... if you're in the USA. Not sure about internationally. Amazon.com: Institutes of Elenctic Theology 3 vol. set (9780875524566): Francois Turrettini, Turretin, James T. Dennison: Books

 

[py3ak]

Turretin is probably the most vital source for detailed Reformed theology. Bavinck is certainly magnificent, but I think one is in a better position to appreciate his rather oblique approach once one is familiar with the more conventional exposition of mainstream Reformed views. If I could only read one I would choose Turretin; if I could only reread one I might choose Bavinck.

The Institutes of Elenctic Theology??? or is there another place to start with Turrentin for those of us whose curiosity has been peaked (but don't have $100+ to drop right now)?

That's the major work that's available. Some sermons have been translated from French, and various parts of the Institutes have been excerpted elsewhere. But if you're looking for a less expensive source for Protestant Scholasticism, what about William Ames' Marrow of Theology, James Ussher's Body of Divinity, or John Brown's Questions and Answers on the Shorter Catechism?

 

[irresistible_grace]

Turretin is probably the most vital source for detailed Reformed theology. Bavinck is certainly magnificent, but I think one is in a better position to appreciate his rather oblique approach once one is familiar with the more conventional exposition of mainstream Reformed views. If I could only read one I would choose Turretin; if I could only reread one I might choose Bavinck.

The Institutes of Elenctic Theology??? or is there another place to start with Turrentin for those of us whose curiosity has been peaked (but don't have $83.80 to drop right now)?

That's the major work that's available. Some sermons have been translated from French, and various parts of the Institutes have been excerpted elsewhere. But if you're looking for a less expensive source for Protestant Scholasticism, what about William Ames' Marrow of Theology, James Ussher's Body of Divinity, or John Brown's Questions and Answers on the Shorter Catechism?

Thanks!

 

[RamistThomist]

My only qualm with Bavinck si that much of it is a extended interaction with 19th century European rationalism and idealism. Yeah, those were the problems back then and needed a response, but they can really tire the lay reader. If you know a lot about that stuff (I was a Hegelian for three years), then you can follow what Bavinck is saying. But if you know a lot about it, then it's also redundant.

I tried to read Turretin ten years ago and couldn't make heads or tails of it. I just started reading him again this year and it's the greatest set in the world.

 

[Fly Caster]

Turretin is probably the most vital source for detailed Reformed theology. Bavinck is certainly magnificent, but I think one is in a better position to appreciate his rather oblique approach once one is familiar with the more conventional exposition of mainstream Reformed views. If I could only read one I would choose Turretin; if I could only reread one I might choose Bavinck.

The Institutes of Elenctic Theology??? or is there another place to start with Turrentin for those of us whose curiosity has been peaked (but don't have $83.80 to drop right now)?

That's the major work that's available. Some sermons have been translated from French, and various parts of the Institutes have been excerpted elsewhere. But if you're looking for a less expensive source for Protestant Scholasticism, what about William Ames' Marrow of Theology, James Ussher's Body of Divinity, or John Brown's Questions and Answers on the Shorter Catechism?

Thanks!

Ussher's book is valuable-- for $5 its a steal.

SGCB | A BODY OF DIVINITY: Being the Sum and Substance of the Christian Religion

 

[irresistible_grace]

Turretin is probably the most vital source for detailed Reformed theology. Bavinck is certainly magnificent, but I think one is in a better position to appreciate his rather oblique approach once one is familiar with the more conventional exposition of mainstream Reformed views. If I could only read one I would choose Turretin; if I could only reread one I might choose Bavinck.

The Institutes of Elenctic Theology??? or is there another place to start with Turrentin for those of us whose curiosity has been peaked (but don't have $83.80 to drop right now)?

That's the major work that's available. Some sermons have been translated from French, and various parts of the Institutes have been excerpted elsewhere. But if you're looking for a less expensive source for Protestant Scholasticism, what about William Ames' Marrow of Theology, James Ussher's Body of Divinity, or John Brown's Questions and Answers on the Shorter Catechism?

Thanks!

Ussher's book is valuable-- for $5 its a steal.

SGCB | A BODY OF DIVINITY: Being the Sum and Substance of the Christian Religion

Double Thanks!

 

[Stephen L Smith]

My only qualm with Bavinck si that much of it is a extended interaction with 19th century European rationalism and idealism. Yeah, those were the problems back then and needed a response, but they can really tire the lay reader.

Modern epistemology builds on this so Bavinck's comments are very relevant

 

[Stephen L Smith]

another larger theology set that would go well with and complement Brakel's set.

Bavinck would be one of the best overall

 

[RamistThomist]

My only qualm with Bavinck si that much of it is a extended interaction with 19th century European rationalism and idealism. Yeah, those were the problems back then and needed a response, but they can really tire the lay reader.

Modern epistemology builds on this so Bavinck's comments are very relevant

I agree, and Bavinck's use of the principium internum is very relevant and entirely absent from today's dogmatics. You just have to wade through pages of German idealism until you get to the good stuff.

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

Help me decide. I have Brakel's theology set and am thinking of getting another larger theology set that would go well with and complement Brakel's set. Which would you choose? Bavinck? Turretin? Works of Owen or Boston?

No contest for me--Turretin.

 

[jogri17]

logy set and am thinking of getting another larger theology set that would go well with and complement Brakel's set. Which would you choose? Bavinck? Turretin? Works of Owen or Boston?
Nathan

A Brakel is a fine work but it was designed for laity, thus is much more practical. If your budget is limited, Get Turretin + Berkhof (which basically summarizes Bavinck and adds some of Vos's Biblical Theology to it). A good copy of all the Reformed Confessions however should take priority over Berkhof). And Calvin's Institutes should take precedent to Turretin (The public domain version is perfectly fine though for serious readers the McNeil edition is preferable). Also do not substitute Heppe's Reformed Dogmatics for Turretin.

 

[O'GodHowGreatThouArt]

If my budget was unlimited, I'd take all. If I could only pick one, I'd redefine "one" to include sets and grab Owens whilst conveniently including his Hebrews commentary as part of the set.

But Owens gets expensive fast if you're buying new. It's been sidelined for now, but I've read parts of Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics and have been really impressed with it. There's a condensed one volume edition out there, but why get that when you can get the expanded four volume version?

 

[JM]

I've never read much of Turretin, just a shorter work online about Antichrist...I can't imagine not owning Bavinck's set. I vote Bavink.