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A Consideration of the Role of Adoption in Relation to Justification and Sanctification in the Theology of Herman Bavinck

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A Consideration of the Role of Adoption in Relation to Justification and Sanctification in the Theology of Herman Bavinck “BECOME WHAT YOU ARE!” A CONSIDERATION OF THE ROLE OF ADOPTION IN RELATION TO JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION IN THE THEOLOGY OF HERMAN BAVINCK by Jessica C. Bent B.Th., Acadia University, 2016 Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Theology, Acadia Divinity College, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (Theology) Acadia Divinity College, Acadia University © JESSICA CATHERINE BENT, 2018 This thesis by Jessica C. Bent was defended successfully in an oral examination on 2 April 2018. The examining committee for the thesis was: Dr. Stephen McMullin, Chair Dr. Jonathan Wilson, External Examiner Dr. Christopher Killacky, Internal Examiner Dr. Anna Robbins, Supervisor Dr. Glenn Wooden, MA(Th) Director This thesis is accepted in its present form by Acadia Divinity College, the Faculty of Theology of Acadia University, as satisfying the thesis requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Theology). ii I, Jessica C. Bent, hereby grant permission to the University Librarian at Acadia University to provide copies of my thesis, upon request, on a non-profit basis. Jessica C. Bent Author Dr. Anna Robbins Supervisor 2 April 2018 Date iii Table of Contents Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ vi Abstract ......................................................................................................................... vii Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1 Chapter One: Bavinck and his Context ...........................................................................7 Bavinck’s Early Life ........................................................................................................9 Childhood ...................................................................................................................11 Leiden University.......................................................................................................13 Bavinck and Kuyper ......................................................................................................15 Pastor, Professor, and Politician ....................................................................................20 Professor ....................................................................................................................21 Politician ....................................................................................................................25 Legacy of Herman Bavinck ...........................................................................................26 Chapter Two: Bavinck’s Theology of Justification and Sanctification ......................32 Justification ....................................................................................................................34 Freedom from the Consequence of Sin ......................................................................35 Forensic Justification .................................................................................................36 Active and Passive Justification.................................................................................39 Justification and Adoption .........................................................................................43 Sanctification .................................................................................................................47 The Work of Christ ....................................................................................................49 Against Entire Sanctification .....................................................................................51 Active and Passive Sanctification ..............................................................................54 Sanctification and Adoption ......................................................................................57 Summary ........................................................................................................................58 Chapter Three: Adoption ................................................................................................61 A Neglected Doctrine ....................................................................................................63 Begotten vs. Adopted .....................................................................................................67 Background to Paul’s use of Huiothesia ........................................................................71 Greco-Roman Legal Practice .....................................................................................72 Redemptive-Historical Adoption of Israel .................................................................76 Both Greco-Roman and Old Testament .....................................................................78 Adoption of Christ .........................................................................................................82 iv Adopted and Eternal ..................................................................................................84 Solely Eternal .............................................................................................................87 Role in the Ordo Salutis .................................................................................................91 Picture of the Whole of Salvation ..............................................................................92 A Part of Justification ................................................................................................95 Separate Role in the Ordo Salutis ..............................................................................96 Summary ........................................................................................................................99 Chapter Four: Adoption in Relation to Justification and Sanctification .................103 Bavinck’s Understanding .............................................................................................106 For the Whole Person...............................................................................................107 Importance of Union with Christ .............................................................................111 Justification ..............................................................................................................115 Sanctification ...........................................................................................................117 The Intertwining of Adoption ..................................................................................120 Bringing Adoption, Justification, and Sanctification Together ...................................123 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................133 A Practical Application ................................................................................................136 Possibilities for Further Study .....................................................................................144 Final Remarks ..............................................................................................................149 Bibliography ...................................................................................................................152 v Abstract The study of the doctrine of adoption has drawn increasing interest in recent years. Adoption has often been considered a part of justification and as such it has not always enjoyed the interest granted to other doctrines, such as justification and sanctification. This study engages the thought of the Dutch Reformed theologian Dr. Herman Bavinck (1854-1921) and his concept of adoption in light of his theological conceptions of justification and sanctification. Bavinck wove the concept of adoption into his discussion of justification and sanctification, through union with Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. However, he does not offer an explicit theology of adoption. This lack yields deficiencies in his consideration of active sanctification, contradicting the active Christ- focused public life that Bavinck lived. Placing a greater emphasis on adoption may have helped him forge more clearly the connection between justification and sanctification without relegating active sanctification to a second-class status. vi Acknowledgements I want to thank my family, Mum, Dad, Victoria, Matthew, and especially my adoptive and foster siblings, David, Arabelle, Amberlee, Levi, and Abigale. Without you all, I would not have a heart for adoption, both on a horizontal and vertical level. I would like to thank my parents for not only homeschooling me and widening my horizons by bringing our family to Canada but also for supporting me both in academic endeavors and in life. Without you, I would not be who I am today. I also want to thank the professors that I have had throughout my Master’s degree, Dr. Zacharias, Dr. McCurdy, Dr. Janzen, Dr. Brackney, and Dr. Wooden. You have all challenged me, supported me, and have made me not only a better academic but also a better person. I would also like to express my gratitude to the staff at Acadia Divinity College for their support and help. I especially want to thank Dr. Wilson for not only his classes but also for his guidance as I dove into finding out who Herman Bavinck was. Without you, I would not have the understanding of
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