The purpose of this study is to reveal how the ideas of mystical union in Bavinck’s theology appear and what its theological implications are. Bavinck makes a difference, whether negative or positive, in relation to the unio mystica tradition. The f...
The purpose of this study is to reveal how the ideas of mystical union in Bavinck’s theology appear and what its theological implications are. Bavinck makes a difference, whether negative or positive, in relation to the unio mystica tradition. The former is a negative tradition, a path to the error of mystical union and the latter is a positive tradition, Calvin’s mystical union, which laid the foundation for Reformed theology. Bavinck follows the latter path and develops it. The unio mystica is a real and personal, ontological union that takes place in the Creator/ creature distinction. Believers are united with whole Christ by the Holy Spirit. The life of the Triune God is a covenant life. Therein lies the eternal foundation of the covenant of grace. There is a covenant of salvation between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit concerning the human salvation. The covenant of salvation takes place in eternity and is the basis for the covenant of grace that takes place in time. Covenant of salvation has been objectively realized in the life of Jesus Christ and are subjectively realized by the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.