Christology & Ecclesiology

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. The work expresses what God requires of man, and particularly of the Christian, that he 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 experimental Christianity at its best. Wilhelmus à Brakel systematically moves through the major doctrines of the Bible with the intention of seeing God's people's minds renewed for the purpose of promoting piety. This second volume contains a specialized treatment of Christology (Doctrine of Christ), as well as Ecclesiology (Doctrine of the Church).

"No systematic theology compares with Wilhelmus à Brakel's The Christian's Reasonable Service for its explicit concern to unite the objective and subjective in theology. Emerging from 'The Further Reformation of the Netherlands,' à Brakel has no equal in exploring the complex details of the Reformed theological system while ensuring that at every moment theology is done in the interest of piety and the glory of God. In an age where the subjective has been lost in a sea of postmodernity or viewed with suspicion for its apparent lack of academic integrity, only those who have never read this monumental treatise would dismiss it as guilty of both. A work to place alongside Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion and the systematic theologies of Turretin, Hodge, and Berkhof."
Derek W. H. Thomas, Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at the Reformed Theological Seminary

"This work represents, more than any other, the heartbeat and Puritan balance of the Second Dutch Reformation. Systematic theology and experimental Christianity are intertwined in a biblical and practical way through a covenantal structure. It bears the mark of a pastor and theologian deeply taught by the Spirit. Almost all topics treasured by Christians are treated in a very useful way, with the aim of promoting piety. These volumes are an essential tool for every pastor and extremely valuable for the believer. 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!"
Joel R. Beeke, President of the Puritan 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.