UQ Studies in Religion Seminars Dr Bruce Pass
JavaScript? Bavinck, Dutch Colonial Policy, and Divine Providence
22 October 2021 2:00pm–3:00pm

Room: E319 Forgan Smith Building

While many Reformed theologians have reflected at length on politics and government, few have also served as practitioners in this field. Thus, Herman Bavinck (1854-1921) is an interesting case in point, as he not only left a substantial body of work in various theological subdisciplines but also served as a sitting member of parliament. For this reason, Bavinck’s parliamentary speeches provide a fascinating lens through which his more abstract doctrinal formulations may be viewed. This paper explores the way Bavinck’s stated opinions on Dutch colonial policy problematize his account of divine providence. Accordingly, a brief summary of Bavinck’s account of divine providence will be presented. Soundings from Bavinck’s parliamentary speeches will then be taken in order to isolate what I would regard as the singular weakness Bavinck’s account of divine providence. By way of conclusion, I will draw on David Fergusson’s recent examination of this doctrine in order to suggest a mode of theological retrieval that makes fruitful use of the strengths of Bavinck’s providentialism while avoiding its shortcomings. https://hpi.uq.edu.au/event/session/5923