Additionally, in exploring the interaction between contemplation and action
Bavinck demonstrates a radically different sensitivity than Barth. In his 1888 lecture
at Kampen Bavinck acknowledges:
The mystical life has its own legitimacy alongside activity; the busyness of
work makfull harmony and unity that we expect in the future. Some onesideness will es rest necessary.... In this dispensation we will never achieve the
remain in us as persons and churches. None of us has our intellect, emotions
and will, our head, heart and hand, equally governed by the Gospel. However,
in order to prevent the “spiritual” (godsdienstige), side of Christianity--- that
which in the good sense of the term can be called the “ascetic” side--- from
degenerating into an improper mysticism and monastic be supplemented by the moral (zedelijke)--- the truly human side.spirituality, it needs to (^183)
More pointedly Bavinck continues by asserting that these two legitimate expressions
of Christianity need to be integrated into one, “[f]aith appears to be great, indeed,
when a person renounces all and shuts himself up in isolation. But even greater, it
seems to me, is the faith of a person who, while keeping the kingdom of heaven as a
treasure, at the same time brings it out into the world as a leaven, certain that He who
is for us is greater than he who is against us and that He is able to preserve us from
evil even in the midst of the world.”^184 Later in his Stone Lectures Bavinck declares,
“Mary and Martha were very different in religious disposition, but Jesus loved them
both.”^185 He expands the interaction between contemplation and action by
considering his own denomination, “[t]his tradition [i.e. the pietistic Dutch Secession
movement] overestimated and overemphasized the one thing needful, which, on the
other hand, is often lacking in the busyness of contemporary life. While these
nineteenth century Christians forgot the world for themselves, we run the danger of
losing ourselves in the world.”^186 Further, the spiritual life is the foundation for every
dimension of life within the world, therefore “in fellowship with God, he is
(^183) Bavinck, “Catholicity of Christianity,” 248. (^)
(^184) Bavinck, “Catholicity of Christianity,” 248.
(^185186) Bavinck, Philosophy of Revelation, 234-35.
Bavinck, Certainty of Faith, 94.