70. Sections 70-75 discuss the essence of religion. Bavinck begins by stating that there are principles of religion just like there are in science. He then discusses the origins of the word “religion” and its meaning, and then analyzes the Biblical data on the nature of religion.
71. Bavinck defines the term “religion,” and defends this definition. He summarizes Thomas’s view of religion, offers a brief critique, and then discusses the Reformed tradition’s appropriation and refinement of Thomas’s view.
72. Bavinck seeks to identify the essence of subjective religion, and then shows the relationship between objective religion and subjective religion.
73. Bavinck summarizes the history-of-religions approach to studying religion. Bavinck begins his critique of this approach (Point 1).
74. Point 2 of Bavinck’s critique of the history-of-religions approach to studying religion.
75. Point 3 of Bavinck’s critique of the history-of-religions approach to studying religion.
76. Sections 76-79, Bavinck discusses the seat of religion. He begins his overview by considering the argument that the seat of religion is found in the intellect. He gives special focus to Hegel in this respect, and those after him who would use his views to disparage religion in the name of science.
77. Bavinck discusses the view that religion is seated in the will. This view is exemplified by Kant, Fichte, Schelling, Schleiermacher (to some extent) and others. Bavinck also discusses the emergence of voluntarism in modern philosophy, the ‘ethical shift’ of modern theology, and the relationship of religion and ethics.
78. Bavinck discusses the view that religion is seated in the feelings/emotions. This view is found in 19th century Romanticism, and is particularly identified with Schleiermacher. Bavinck offers a critique of this view, making the point that feelings are not a faculty and lack the ability to judge truth and untruth.
79. Bavinck argues that the seat of religion is the whole person, going from the intellect to the feelings to the will.
80. In sections 80-81, Bavinck discusses the origin of religion. In section 80, he discusses various modern theories (many of which draw upon a history-of-religions methodology) about the origin of religion. He especially gives attention to the argument that religion arose from a fear of nature, surveying the view and then critiquing it.
81. Bavinck argues that any attempt to explain the origin of religion without recourse to divine revelation will inevitably fall short. Bavinck briefly explains how the foundational principles of theology are also the foundational principles of religion.
1. The Science of Dogmatic Theology (Part 1) and (Part 2)
2. The Method and Organization of Dogmatics (Part 1), (Part 2), and (Part 3)
A Pilgrim's Theology 