James Perman Eglinton
James is in the Theology and Ethics Subject Area.
Contact Details
j.p.eglinton@sms.ed.ac.uk
Matriculation Date
Sept 2007
Supervisor
Prof. David Fergusson
Research Degree Programme
PhD, Systematic Theology
Educational Background
2000-2004 LLB (Hons) - University of Aberdeen 2004-2007 BTh (Dist) - University of Glasgow (Free Church College) 2008 Institut Catholique de Paris
Proposed Thesis
Title: Organic’ Thinking in the Theology of Herman Bavinck
Research Details
My thesis explores the use of the ‘organic’ in the work of the Dutch Reformed theologian Herman Bavinck (1854-1921).
When one reads Bavinck, various common themes become apparent. One such theme acknowledged by various scholars but not as yet the focus of exclusive study is his strong emphasis on the organic.
My primary concern is to understand why Bavinck so frequently thinks and writes in explicitly organic terms and concepts. Having explained the factors in European philosophy and theology which contribute to his organic concerns, I then proceed to explore Bavinck’s own appropriation of organic thinking. Having done this, I examine the impact of organic thinking on Bavinck’s doctrines of God, revelation and Scripture. Bavinck understands the cosmos as being more like an organism than a machine. He also regards the universe to be the general revelation of the Triune God. How an organic universe reflects a Trinitarian God is thus a central focus in my research.
Furthermore, Bavinck’s doctrine of Scripture is also thoroughly organic, particularly in terms of Scriptural inspiration. How this, in turn, fits within his overall dogmatics is also a key area of my thesis. I hope that a clear explanation of such a central part of Bavinck’s work will, in turn, enable future scholarship to read Bavinck in a more nuanced way.
This article was published on Apr 8, 2010