The Christian's Reasonable Service, Volume 4: Ethics and Eschatology (Brakel)

Description

First published in 1700, The Christian’s Reasonable Service (De Redelijke Godsdienst) ran through twenty Dutch editions in the eighteenth century alone! The title is derived from Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” It expresses what God requires from man, and particularly from the Christian, that he serve Him in Spirit and in truth—intelligently, rationally, and in harmony with and response to God’s revelation of Himself, His Word.

With a decidedly Puritan flavor and representing Reformed experiential religion at its best, Wilhelmus à Brakel systematically moves through the major doctrines of the Bible in hopes of seeing the minds of God’s people renewed for the purpose of promoting godliness. Throughout his work, but particularly in the practical application of each doctrine, à Brakel strives unceasingly to exalt the name of Jesus as the name that the Father has given above every other name—there being no other name given under heaven among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). 

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Table of Contents: 

Soteriology: The Doctrine of Salvation (cont.) 

75. Fasting 

76. Watchfulness 

77. Secret Prayer 

78. Spiritual Meditation 

79. Singing Spiritual Songs 

80. Vows

81. The Practice of Reflecting upon Previous Experiences 

82. Love Toward Our Neighbor

83. Humility 

84. Meekness 

85. Peaceableness 

86. Diligence 

87. Compassion

88. Prudence

89. Spiritual Growth 

90. Regression of Spiritual Life in the Godly 

91. Spiritual Desertion 

92. The Temptation Toward Atheism or the Denial of God’s Existence 

93. The Temptation Whether God’s Word Is True 

94. Unbelief Concerning One’s Spiritual State 

95. The Assaults of Satan 

96. The Power of Indwelling Corruption 

97. Spiritual Darkness 

98. Spiritual Deadness 

99. The Perseverance of the Saints 

Eschatology: The Doctrine of the Last Things 

100. Death and the Ensuing State of the Soul

101. The Resurrection of the Dead 

102. The Last Judgment and the End of the World

103. Eternal Glory 

Appendix: The Administration of the Covenant of Grace in the Old and New Testaments 

1. The Church of the Old Testament from Adam to Abraham 

2. The Church from Abraham to Sinai

4. The Ceremonial Laws Given at Sinai and the Condition of the Church from Sinai to Christ

5. The State of Believers in the Old Testament 

6. The Church of the New Testament from the birth of Jesus Christ to the Revelation of John

Endorsments

“Wilhelmus à Brakel’s The Christian's Reasonable Service is a tremendously insightful work that showcases the marriage between scholastic precision and a warm pastoral piety. À Brakel not only challenges the mind as he plumbs the depths of the teachings of Scripture, but he also challenges the heart as readers must grapple with the truth and its implications for their growth in grace. Not only can historians read à Brakel to learn about historic Reformed theology, but scholars, pastors, and laymen can all benefit from a close reading of these wonderful volumes.” — J. V. Fesko, Academic Dean and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, Westminster Seminary California

“With its fine balance of Reformed doctrinal statement and application to Christian life and personal piety, à Brakel’s Christian’s Reasonable Service provides a superb illustration of the theological project associated with the late seventeenth century development of the Dutch Nadere Reformatie, or ‘Further Reformation.’ Although it abounds in sound definition and detailed exposition, this vernacular theology was intended not for the academic setting but for the purpose of educating the laity in both faith and practice. It remains a significant study in Reformed theology even as it exemplifies the true sense of the old Reformed maxim, Ecclesia reformata semper reformanda—namely, that the doctrine of the church has been reformed but the life of the Christian is always to be reformed, guided by the teachings of the Reformation. The Elshout translation beautifully conveys the sense and the spirit of à Brakel’s work.” — Richard A. Muller, P. J. Zondervan Professor of Historical Theology, Calvin Theological Seminary

“No systematic theology compares to Wilhelmus à Brakel’s The Christian’s Reasonable Service for its explicit concern to weld the objective and subjective in theology. Emerging from the Dutch Further Reformation, à Brakel is without equal in exploring both the intricate details of the Reformed theological system whilst ensuring that at every turn theology is done in the interests of piety and the glory of God. In an era when the subjective has either been lost in a sea of postmodernity or viewed with suspicion for its apparent lack of academic integrity, only those who have never read this monumental treatise would dismiss it as guilty of either. An achievement to place alongside Calvin’s Institutes and the systematic theologies of Turretin, Hodge, and Berkhof.” — Derek W. H. Thomas, John E. Richards Professor of Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary.

Author

Wilhelmus à Brakel was born on January 2, 1635 in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands. He studied theology at the universities in Franeker and Utrecht and was particularly influenced by his mentor, Gisbertus Voetius. He served four congregations in his native province of Friesland: Exmorra (1662–1665), Stavoren (1665–1670), Harlingen (1670–1673), and his birthplace, Friesland’s capital, Leeuwarden (1673–1683). His Friesland period, however, proved to be a preparation for the great task the Lord had laid away for him in Rotterdam—his final and longest pastorate (1683–1711). After a fruitful ministry of forty-nine years, it pleased the Lord to take this eminent divine—affectionately referred to by the godly as “Father Brakel”—home to Himself in 1711 at the age of seventy-six, to receive the reward of a faithful servant.