Christian Ethics, Eschatology & Biblical Theology

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WORKS OF THEOLOGY!

First published in 1700, The Christian's Reasonable Service (5 vols.) had twenty Dutch editions in the 18th century alone. The work expresses what God requires of man, and particularly of the Christian, to serve Him in spirit and in truth, intelligently, rationally and in harmony with and in response to God's revelation of Himself in His Word. With a decidedly Puritan flavor, it represents reformed experiential and scholastic Christianity at its best.
This fifth volume contains a detailed treatment of Christian ethics (spiritual warfare) and biblical eschatology, as well as an introduction to biblical theology.

With its splendid balance of reformed doctrinal declaration and application to Christian life and personal piety, The Christian's Reasonable Service by à Brakel provides a magnificent illustration of the theological project associated with the late 17th-century development of the Dutch Nadere Reformatie, or 'The Further Reformation'. Although it abounds in accurate definitions and detailed expositions, this theology was not aimed at the academic realm, but was intended to educate laypeople in both faith and practice.
Richard A. Muller

The Christian's Reasonable Service represents, perhaps more than any other work, the heartbeat and Puritan balance of the Dutch Second Reformation. Here systematic theology and vital, experimental Christianity are intertwined in a biblical and practical way with a covenantal structure. Its entirety bears the mark of a deeply Spirit-taught pastor and theologian. With broad coverage, almost every topic treasured by Christians is treated in an unusually helpful way, always with the aim of promoting piety. In my opinion, this set of pastoral books is an essential tool for every pastor and is extremely valuable for laypeople as well. If I were about to be exiled to a desert island and could only take one publication besides the Bible, it would be these volumes by Brakel! Fortunately, you can now read it newly translated into contemporary Spanish.
Joel R. Beeke

WILHELMUS À BRAKEL (1635-1711), was born in Leeuwarden, Holland. He studied theology at the universities of Franeker and Utrecht and was particularly influenced by his mentor, Gisbertus Voetius. He served as pastor in four congregations. After a fruitful ministry of 49 years, it pleased the Lord to take this eminent theologian home to heaven at the age of 76. His work The Christian's Reasonable Service (5 vols.), remains one of the most important theological works of all time.