G.C. Berkouwer

Paper Summary:

This paper studies the life of prolific writer and theologian, Gerrit Cornelis Berkouwer. The author provides an overview of Berkouwer's background and his career rise to leading theologian in the Gereformeerde Kerken (GKN) in the Netherlands. The paper examines Berkouwer's influence on reformed churches and on his students who have since become significant participants and leaders of many theological endeavors. Berkouwer's largest work that was published when he was 86 and which recounts realistic portrayals of many theological debates, some of which included himself as a main character in the discussion is also summarized. Berkouwer's other works, including ones of criticism against other theologians and Catholicism are also discussed.

From the Paper:

"Berkouwer developed a lifetime of theological thought and teachings into a demonstrative set of works that are known the world over, many still in publication in languages other than his own. He is of course best known for his modern stress on ecumenicism. As early in his career as 1957 he was appointed by the GKN to attend assemblies of the International Council of Christian Churches (meeting in Amsterdam) and the World Council of Churches (meeting in New Delhi) Berkouwer's report to the GKN resulted in his suggestion to the GKN that the organization join the World Council of Churches, one of the first ecumenical bodies of the Christian faith, the GKN followed Berkouwer's advice and became one of the first evangelical denominations to represent themselves among the body of mainstream ecumenical ministries."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Berkouwer, G.C. "Human Freedom" from "Studies in Dogmatics", Man: The Image of God GrandRapids MI: Eerdmans 1962.
• Cameron, George A. "The Theology of G.C. Berkouwer: An introduction to my work on Berkouwer's theology, 'The Problem of Polarization: An Approach based on the writings of G C Berkouwer'" Retrieved October 7, 2008 < http://www.theologyofgcberkouwer.blogspot.com/>
• Christianity and Judaism: The Deepening Dialogue. Ed. Richard W. Rousseau. Scranton, PA: Ridge Row Press, 1983.
• Cobb, John B. A Survey of Methods A Survey of Methods. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1962.
• Cochrane, Arthur C. The Church's Confession under Hitler. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1962.

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