Reformed Ethics, Volume 3 Christian Life in Society

FORTHCOMING TITLE, ETA JUNE 2025

Herman Bavinck's four-volume Reformed Dogmatics is one of the most important theological works of the twentieth century. The English translation was edited by world-class Bavinck scholar John Bolt, who now brings forth a manuscript from Bavinck that is being published for the first time.

Serving as a companion to Reformed Dogmatics, Reformed Ethics offers readers Bavinck's mature reflections on ethical issues. Volumes 1 and 2 have already been published. Volume 1 mined the moral teachings of the early church and medieval and Puritan spirituality while addressing a variety of topics. Volume 2 covered the duties of the Christian life and included Bavinck's exposition of the Ten Commandments. This third volume covers family, marriage, and divorce.

448 pages.

Editor's Preface
Book IV: The Life-Spheres in Which the Moral Life Must Manifest Itself
22. Family and Marriage
§50 History of the Family
§51 The Duty to Marry
23. Qualifications for Marriage
§52 Impediments to Marriage
§53 Degrees of Blood Relationship
24. Betrothal and Wedding
§54 The Betrothal
§55 The Wedding
25. Marriage and Family
§56 The Essence of Marriage
§58 Husband and Wife
26. Divorce
§57 Divorce
Appendix A: Philosophical Ethics
Introduction
§1 Terminology
§2 Philosophical Ethics
§3 The Main Forms of Philosophical Ethics
§4 A Concise Survey of the History of Philosophical Ethics
A. The Greeks
B. A History of Philosophical Ethics in Recent Times
C. The Most Recent Philosophy: Criticism and Speculation
§5 Contemporary Views of Philosophical Ethics
A. Autonomous Morality
B. Positivism
C. Utilitarianism
D. The Theory of Evolution
E. Pessimism
Appendix B: Contemporary Morality
Preface
Introduction
I. The Problem
II. Modern Solutions
III. Christianity's Answer
Indexes