Prolegomena, Theology Proper & Anthropology

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 eighteenth century alone. The title is derived from Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” It expresses what God requires of man, and particularly of the Christian, to serve Him in spirit and in truth, intelligently, rationally, and in harmony and response to God's self-revelation in His Word.
With a decidedly Puritan flavor, it represents Reformed and scholastic experiential Christianity at its best. Wilhelmus à Brakel systematically moves through the main doctrines of the Bible with the intention of seeing the minds of God's people renewed for the purpose of promoting piety. This first volume contains a historical and theological introduction, as well as a specialized treatment of Theology Proper (Doctrine of God), as well as Anthropology (Doctrine of Man).

"The Christian's Reasonable Service represents, perhaps more than any other work, the Puritan heartbeat and balance of the Second Dutch Reformation. Here systematic theology and vital, experiential Christianity are biblically and practically intertwined with a covenantal structure. Its entirety bears the mark of a pastor and theologian deeply taught by the Spirit. 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 of Brakel! Fortunately, you can now read them freshly translated into contemporary Spanish."
Joel R. Beeke, president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

“A tremendously insightful work that demonstrates the marriage between scholastic precision and warm pastoral piety. À Brakel not only challenges the mind as he delves into the teachings of Scripture, but also challenges the heart as readers encounter the truth and its implications for their growth in grace.”
J. V. Fesko, academic dean and professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary

About the author:
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 call 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.