Geerhardus Vos' Reformed Dogmatics: A First-Ever English Translation
What do you think of the project?
The project in itself is a great way to move forward on an otherwise unknown project. While many here seem to be aware of and fond of Vos, I have almost zero knowledge on him.
For others in like camp perhaps this snipet from the New Dictionary of Theology will help:
[quote]Vos is important for his pioneering work in biblical theology, based on a conviction of the plenary inspiration and supreme authority of Scripture. He is among the first, and certainly the most gifted, in Protestant orthodox tradition to grasp the fundamental significance of the fact that God’s special, redemptive revelation comes as an organically unfolding historical process, and to draw methodological (hermeneutical) consequences from this fact. A controlling thrust of his life’s work is that the Bible is not merely a collection of postulates about God, man, the world, etc., but that post-fall verbal revelation is a function of redemption; revelation is invariably focused on, and patterned by, the ongoing history of God’s redemptive acts which has its centre and consummation in Christ. An important effect of this stress on the historical, covenantal character of biblical revelation has been to point the way toward maintaining a properly high view of Scripture, without falling into the unduly intellectualistic understanding of Christian faith which has tended to accompany that view.
Sinclair B. Ferguson and J.I. Packer, New Dictionary of Theology, electronic ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000), 713.
You can read this and other summaries of him at these Logos Links:
Note also a few Forum Links which already show interest:
I think it's great. I pre-ordered. But I also think you should publish some of Vos's English works first (particularly Biblical Theology) to introduce more people to Vos.
Is it because Logos can't get rights to Biblical Theology that Logos is pressing on with this? (it's Banner of Truth)
I think it's great. But I also think you should publish some of Vos's English works first (particularly Biblical Theology) to introduce more people to Vos.
[Y][Y][Y]. Please in addition publish 'Biblical Theology: Old and New Testament' and 'Pauline Eschatology'
Ted
That's awesome - I've placed my order. But also count me in for Biblical Theology if you get the rights. There's a proven market for that volume. I notice my BoT volume says it was originally published by Eerdmans in 1948.
I'm in too. Wonder how long this will take to get to publish?
> Please in addition publish 'Biblical Theology: Old and New Testament' and 'Pauline Eschatology'
+ me, too
We already have Community Pricing, now we will have Community Paid Translation.
I am always torn when it comes to things like this for one major reason. I don't know the resource so I can't say if I'd use it or not. Can you give those of us who are not familiar with this resource some insight on why we would want this in our library particularly if we don't read the language it was originally written in.
We've done some research, and unfortunately the copyright status was renewed and the copyright holder is unknown (the previous copyright holder is deceased, I believe). I hope we'll eventually be able to offer it, but there's no guarantee at this point.
We are working on a collection of his other writings though.
I think it's great. I pre-ordered. But I also think you should publish some of Vos's English works first (particularly Biblical Theology) to introduce more people to Vos. Is it because Logos can't get rights to Biblical Theology that Logos is pressing on with this? (it's Banner of Truth)
If that is still under copyright, a very few years will take care of that problem.
Great project - I signed up!
Superb. Wonderful, innovative idea.
If you do this project, do it well, and include the text of the Dutch original.
Logos could make it a specialism to offer Dutch theology in bilingual editions and to include a Dutch-English dictionary in the software that gives glosses when one hovers the mouse over a Dutch word. I can imagine that there is even more interest in such a bilingual edition of Herman Bavinck's dogmatics.
Very, very pleased with this offering! Immediately jumped on the pre-pub.
Friends -
There is some reason a couple of generations of reformed publishers have chosen not to translate this work into English!
Since they have pushed and praised the translations of many other authors - before and after Vos . . . and since they often claim Vos as one of their own . . . and since they quote Vos on many issues, I believe their reason may be that his thinking then does not agree with their thinking now.
If the difference in conclusions is the reason, a similiar example may be the reluctance of the people in control of the writing of Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse to publish his sermons on Revelation in electronic form. Though Dr. Barnhouse was definately "reformed" in his understanding of salvation, his understanding of escatology was not. Even though his understanding of escatology was just as well supported by Scripture as his understanding of soteriology - and just as well reasoned in its presentation - the people who control publication rights are eager to publish his "Romans" and decline to publish his "Revelation" in Logos editions. (I know. I was the one pushing them to publish "Romans" and all his other books in Logos editions.)
If my guess as to the reason this work has not been translated previously, is correct, this project may be even more successful - if properly communicated to people who are "reformed" relative to salvation, and not so much relative to prophecy!
But if the reason is something other than differences on theological conclusions, whatever prevented it from being a good project as a printed edition may cause it to be less successful as a Logos edition.
There is some reason a couple of generations of reformed publishers have chosen not to translate this work into English! Since they have pushed and praised the translations of many other authors - before and after Vos . . . and since they often claim Vos as one of their own . . . and since they quote Vos on many issues, I believe their reason may be that his thinking then does not agree with their thinking now.
Conspiracy theory ?
I might note that Herman Bavinck's (who is a generation prior to Vos) Gereformeerde Dogmatiek is only available as an abridged one volume version only recently translated and published. It would seem that Dutch is not as prominent a language as Czech. [;)]
I rather imagine that the real reason it has not been translated and published prior to now is that until recently those who were interested in Dutch theology spoke the language. It was about the time I went to Calvin College that the requirement that prospective seminary students take Dutch was changed to allow German and French. That would mean that by now there are a sizeable number of Christian Reformed ministers who have no knowledge of Dutch. Such a situation would tend to inspire a demand for the translation of such works into English.
When are we going to get Jan Hus in English? [6]
For those who are not familiar with Geerhardus Vos, you can read some of his sermons online at www.kerux.com.
With Easter coming up, here is a link to a sermon of his entitled "Rabboni!", certainly my favorite: http://www.kerux.com/documents/KeruxV7N2A1.asp
Here's a taste:
"The first person to whom he showed himself alive after the resurrection was a weeping woman who had no greater claim upon him than any simple penitent sinner has. No eye except that of the angels had as yet rested upon his form. The time was as solemn and majestic as that of the first creation when light burst out of chaos and darkness. Heaven and earth were concerned in this event; it was the turning-point of the ages. Nor was this merely objectively so: Jesus felt himself the central figure in this newborn universe; he tasted the exquisite joy of one who had just entered upon an endless life in the possession of new powers and faculties such as human nature had never known before. Would it have been unnatural had he sought some quiet place to spend the opening hour of this new unexplored state in communion with the Father? Can there be any room in his mind for the humble ministry of consolation required by Mary? He answers these questions himself. Among all the voices that hailed his triumph no voice appealed to him like this voice of weeping in the garden. The first appearance of the risen Lord was given to Mary for no other reason than that she needed him first and needed him most."
Great project. Who will translate? This is an important question.
That's still TBD. If there is sufficient interest, we'll make sure to get a translator and editor suited for the project. Any recommendations?
Contact the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. They oversaw the translation of Bavinck.
Joel Beeke
Vos on Hebrews, Pauline Eschatology and The Eschatology of the Old Testament are unsurpassed. I would love to see them in Logos format as well. Also, if this works perhaps Logos would consider doing a translation of Cocceius' Summa Doctrinae de Foedere et Testamento Dei.
[Y][H]
I just had a fun thought of an interlinear of both the new English translation side by side with the German Dutch.
It would be great exercise for those of us who have let their German Dutch slide.
I just had a fun thought of an interlinear of both the new English translation side by side with the German. It would be great exercise for those of us who have let their German slide.
I just had a fun thought of an interlinear of both the new English translation side by side with the German.
It would be great exercise for those of us who have let their German slide.
German?!
Edit: Interlinear?!?! [:P]
Um. Dutch. Sorry Netherlands, not Germany. I'm going away now. [:$]
Apologies accepted! [:)]
I just had a fun thought of an interlinear of both the new English translation side by side with the German Dutch. It would be great exercise for those of us who have let their German Dutch slide.
[Y]
Vos on Hebrews, Pauline Eschatology and The Eschatology of the Old Testament are unsurpassed. I would love to see them in Logos format as well.
We're working on a collection of Vos's English writings.
Also, if this works perhaps Logos would consider doing a translation of Cocceius' Summa Doctrinae de Foedere et Testamento Dei.
Great suggestion. If you have other suggestions, add them here: Translation Projects.
Apologies accepted! κτλ
Concur. Another key advisor would be Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., now retired professor from Westminster Theological Seminary, if his health permits. He has been one of the most prominent and profound exponents and expounders of Vos in the USA in the last 35 years.
Also, if this works perhaps Logos would consider doing a translation of Cocceius' Summa Doctrinae de Foedere et Testamento Dei. Great suggestion. If you have other suggestions, add them here: Translation Projects.
I don't want to cause the Voetian-Cocceian controversy to flare up again, but I just added some works by Voetius to the Translation Projects Page. Can we also suggest works that are still under copyright?
Can we also suggest works that are still under copyright?
Sure, but please indicate them as such as they'll involve an additional layer of expense and effort.
Yes, thanks for suggesting a translation of Voetius work[Y][*][8].
The Voetian-Cocceian controversy should it flare up again, oh boy which modern theologian will mediate,Joel R. Beeke?[:)]
Edit
I am very thankful for such a project / translation, but the translator is of utmost importance. If they do a poor job then it would be a disservice to the author and the project. The Dutch Translation Society (Herman Bavinck and other dutch theology works) would be great!
Great project. Who will translate? This is an important question. That's still TBD. If there is sufficient interest, we'll make sure to get a translator and editor suited for the project. Any recommendations?
Hmmmm. Is John R de Witt still functioning? He did Ridderbos's Paulus (Paul: An Outline of his Theology), or maybe the now-retired Prof. Dick Gaffin, who edited Vos's collected shorter writings.
Pete
This work will be wonderful, but would love to see it in book form as well
In a translation such as this it is almost more important that the translator be more versed in the target language than in the source language (so long as his source language skill is adequate).
I really really want this translated
Just putting my wishes out there...
The original link to the Logos blog is broken.
Here is an active link to the Pre-Pub page:
Reformed Dogmatics by Geerhardus Vos
http://www.logos.com/product/9362/reformed-dogmatics
