Ron Gleason writes a superb biography: Herman Bavinck: Pastor, Churchman, Statesman, and Theologian. It is the only full-length biography in English about Bavinck and thus the best source of information about him without having to learn Dutch.
Before I sing the praises of the book allow me a note (okay a minor chord) of discontent. Ron Gleason’s otherwise excellent biography is frustratingly marred by insufficient editing. The first two pages have Herman Bavinck baptized in 1854 over 200 years ago (maybe a future edition of the work fell into my hands). Most distractingly is that Ron Gleason’s editor did not appear to edit for style, and so parts read like a draft. For example ‘vis-à-vis’ is distractingly overused and Gleason overused ‘humanly speaking’ to the point of ridiculousness: ‘...doctors had given up hope of [Bavinck’s colleague and friend Pieter] Biesterveld’s recovery. Bavinck rushed back to Amsterdam but, humanly speaking, arrived one hour too late. Biesterveld was called home to glory at the age of forty-five’ p 365. Gleason does a good job explaining in earlier chapters Bavinck’s belief in the sovereignty of God, so why continue to awkwardly hammer us with it? Strike the phrase or rewrite that ‘Bavinck rushed back to Amsterdam but arrived an hour after his death.’ If anyone from P&R is reading this, I’m willing to do some editing work pro bono so you may evaluate me for the position of an editor.
But enough about me and my slight discontent with the work. Otherwise, this is a great book. Gleason tells an engaging story of Herman Bavinck and his relation to the Dutch and Reformed worlds. He especially highlights Bavinck and Kuyper’s interaction on various occasions. Gleason presents Bavinck as human, with strengths and weaknesses.
Ron Gleason chronicles Bavinck’s life from his birth in 1854 to his death in 1921. It tells of his childhood and his decision to choose a liberal seminary to get his degree in theology. It explains the divisions of the Dutch Reformed church and the unification of the theologically conservative churches. It speaks of his role in the Dutch government (he served as the equivalent of a US Senator). When the book comes to a close, the account of Herman Bavinck’s long illness and death is particularly poignant. I was almost in tears in the final chapter.
On a technical side, Gleason has great appendices which give more information about various aspects of Bavinck and his world. He also uses footnotes well, including but not limited to placing them at the bottom of the page instead of having to flip back to see them.
If you are at all interested in Herman Bavinck or his role in the late 19th century and early 20th century Netherlands, pick up this volume; it’ll be well worth your while.
