Einer der wichtigsten Aufsätze Bavincks ist der zur Allgemeinen Gnade (1894, Rektoratsrede in Kampen). Eine englische Übersetzung ist 1989 im Calvin Theological Journal erschienen. Das sorgfältige Studium lohnt sich, denn es geht um das Verhältnis des Christen zur Kultur. Der Übersetzer fasst in der Einleitung zusammen:
Common Grace maintains the goodness of creation in spite of humanity’s radical depravity resulting from the fall. This grace is the source of all human virtue und accomplishment, even that of unbelievers who have not been regenerated by the savific grace of God. (36)
In der Tat:
There is thus a rich revelation of God even among the heathen – not only in nature but also in their heart and conscience, in their leife and history, among their statesmen and artists, their philosophers and reformers. There exists no reason at all to denigrate or diminish this divin revelation. (41)
Die Allgemeine Gnade ist Schüssel zum Verständnis der Spannung:
The relation of faith and knowledge, of theology and philosophy, of authority and reason, of head and heart, of Christianity and humanity, of religion and culture, of heavenly and earthly vocation, of religion and morality, of the contemplative and the active life, of sabbath and workday, of church and state – all these and mony other questions are determined by the problem of the relation between creation and re-creation, between the work of the father and the wok of the Son. Even the simple, common man finds himself caught up in this struggle whenever he senses the tension that exists betweenhis earthly and heavenly calling. (56)
Beide, Natur und Gnade sind nötig, keine kann verneint oder darf verachtet werden. Die Natur wird durch Gnade wiederhergestellt, es wird kein neues Element hinzugefügt.
While it is true that, the world has been corrupted by sin, it neverthelessremains the work of the Father, the Creator of heaven and earth. (60)
Christianity does not introduce a single substantial foreign element into the creation. It creates no new cosmos but rather makes the cosmos new. It restores what was corrupted by sin. It atones the guilty and cures what is sick; the wounded it heals. (61)
Was bedeutet das für Christen? Wir zeigen die Wiederherstellung zuerst in der treuen Ausübung unserer irdischen Berufung.
If then we stand in this grace, in this freedom with which Christ has made us free, we are to show our Christian faith first of all in the faithful performance of our earthly calling. (62)
Es bedeutet, dass Kunst und Wissenschaft ihren Ursprung in der allgemeinen und nicht in der speziellen Gnade haben:
The arts and sciences have their principium not in the special grace of regeneration and conversion, but in the natural gifts and talents that God in his common grace has also given to nonbelievers. (64)
Bavinck nennt einige biblische Beispiele: Moses ist in der Weisheit der Ägypter trainiert worden, Salomon nahm die Dienste von Hiram für den Tempelbau in Anspruch, die Israeliten schmückten die Stiftshütte mit Gold und Silber Ägyptens, Daniel wurde in der Weisheit der Chaldäer trainiert, und die Weisen aus dem Osten legten ihre Schätze vor Jesus nieder.
Was heisst dies für die Theologie?
Theology accords to the other sciences their full due. Theology’s honor is not that she sits enthroned above them as Regina scientarium (Queen of the sciences) and waves her scepter over them but that she is permitted to serve them all with her gifts. Theology also can rule only by serving. (65)
Ich habe angefragt, eine gescannte Version aufzuschalten, denn die Lektüre lohnt sich.
