The essence of the Christian religion consists therein, that the creation of the Father, destroyed by sin, is again restored in the death of the Son of God and recreated by the grace of the Holy Spirit to a Kingdom of God. The great question therefore, which always and everywhere returns, is this: In what relation does grace place itself to nature. Practically every child of man must regulate that relation for himself in his thoughts and life, in his will and actions. And in a larger field it also continually makes its appearance, in church and state, in family and society, in science and education. What is the relation between the creation and recreation, of the kingdoms of the earth and the Kingdom of Heaven, of humanity and Christianity, of that which is from below and that which is from above?
All in accordance with his own personal peculiarity or characteristics every man will designate this relation differently and will also apply it differently in his life. It makes a great difference whether we think of grace as a doctrine or as life whether we consider it as a supernatural addition nature or as a remedy against the sickness of sin; whether it is designated for the heart and closet only, or for the whole rich and full life of man; whether it only serves to save the soul or has tendency to prepare honor for God out of all His works. On account of this difference there arises amongst believers — even amongst members of one and the same church, all manner of smaller and greater differences in the confession. The truth, to be sure, is one but it reflects itself in the consciousness of man in very different ways. It is true, only one sun shines in tlie firmament but everyone sees with his own eye.
Herman Bavinck. The Sacrifice of Praise. (71-72)
Jan Veenhof hat in seiner Disseration einen Abschnitt der detaillierten Zusammenstellung dieses Themas aus Bavincks Schriften gewidmet. Al Wolters hat den Abschnitt auf englisch übersetzt.
