Book Review // Christianity & Science

Christianity & Science by Herman Bavinck is a classic work. Bavnick was a theologian in the Dutch Reformed church and lived from 1854 until 1921. This book is a wonderful treat for readers to learn from such a brilliant thinker.

“‘After writing his well-known book Christian Worldview, Dutch Calvinist theologian and scholar Herman Bavinck focused his attention on how the Christian faith benefits higher learning, particularly religious studies, natural sciences, and the humanities.

This translated and edited work explores Christian science, the doctrine of revelation, theological science, and what it means to develop a Christian university. Continuing his detailed analysis of worldview, Bavnick responds to challenges of the modern age and recognizes the significance of faith in education.”

Back cover of Book, Christianity & Science by Herman Bavnick

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. How the Concept of a Christian Science Emerged
3. Defects That Clung to Christian Science
4. Positive Science
5. Evaluation of Positivism
6. Consequence of the Verdict
7. The Concept of Science
8. The Natural Sciences
9. The Humanities
10. Theological Science
11. Revelation
12. The Blessing of Christianity for Science
13. A Christian University

Now for my thoughts. I won’t lie, it took me a while to get through this book. Mostly because I wanted to understand and Bavnick was a well-educated thinker. He gives a lot of words and a lot of thoughts on the topics of Christianity and science. One of my favorite quotes from the book is something that people in the current century should learn and understand. “Subjective sincerity is not proof of objective truth”. Around here we say feelings aren’t facts so Bavnick seems to have a fancier way of putting it.

This book strives to prove that science and Christianity aren’t two separate worlds but that they mesh together. That science fits into a biblical worldview. Bavnick has been gone for over 100 years and his work still makes sense and is applicable today.

Crossway has done a great job with this print. The cover is beautiful with light blue and gold. The cover has a slight texture that picks up some grim and dirt but nothing that can’t be wiped off. The paper is really nice and the font size is easy to read.

*I received this book from Crossway in exchange for my review.