"Omdat en zoals het in de Bijbel staat''

Abstract

"Because of and exacty as it is written in the Bible". This aricle discusses the theological views of J H Gunning jr. (1829-1905), an influenial proponent of n'neteenth-century Dutch "ethical theology". It focuses on Gunning's lecture "Discipelen des Woords" ("Disciples of the Word"), presented 'n 1883 at the University of Amsterdam. In the same year a brochure with the same title was published. This article addresses issues such as theology asa scienific enerprise attached to Scipture, value Judgements 'n dialogue with Scipture, the credibility of the Bible as Word of God, Jesus Christ's incarnation,and Jesus Christ's kingship. The article concludes with a reflection on the inadequacies of both liberal and orthodox theology in tight of the distinctive characterisics of the Protestant tradition. According to Gunning, the"kingly work" of God quallies the Protestant character of the church as absolutely and continually dependent on Jesus Christ as the head of the church.