Wilhelmus à Brakel

Wilhelmus à Brakel (2 January 1635, Leeuwarden - 30 October 1711, Rotterdam) was a Reformed minister in the Netherlands. He is arguably the most esteemed representative of Middle Period of the Dutch Further Reformation (1600-1750) (also known as the Dutch Second Reformation, or in Dutch as the Nadere Reformatie). The Dutch Further Reformation is similar to and coincides closely in time with English Puritanism.

Life

Introduction

His importance is largely due to the great influence of his magnum opus "De Redelijke Godsdienst", available in English as "The Christian’s Reasonable Service". [Wilhelmus à Brakel, "The Christian's Reasonable Service". Vol. 1, trans. Bartel Elshout, (Morgan, Pennsylvania: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1992) Preface xix.]

The respect for à Brakel shows in the fact that he was commonly called “Father Brakel,” a title not only expressive of high esteem but also of the authority he commanded and the influence he exerted. He is still known today in the Netherlands (in Reformed Calvinistic circles) by this honorary title. [Wilhelmus à Brakel, "The Christian's Reasonable Service". Vol. 1, trans. Bartel Elshout, (Morgan, Pennsylvania: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1992) Preface xix.]

Some historians have said about him that "à Brakel wrote for church members—not for theologiansl ... He intensely wished that the truths expounded may become an experiential reality in the hearts of those who read ... For à Brakel the name of Jesus is sweeter than honey; you can almost sense the inner stirrings of His soul when He exalts Jesus as the Father’s unspeakable gift to fallen sons and daughters of Adam." [Wilhelmus à Brakel, "The Christian's Reasonable Service". Vol. 1, trans. Bartel Elshout, (Morgan, Pennsylvania: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1992) Preface xx-xxi.]

Works

* Brakel, Wilhelmus à. "The Christian's Reasonable Service". 4 vols. Translated by Bartel Elshout. Morgan, Pennsylvania: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1992.

References