Paul Helm on Hodge and Amsterdam

Paul Helm has posted an interesting and enlightening article here about the theological method of Charles Hodge (the 'inductivist' approach) over against the 'synthetic genetic' method of Kuyper and Bavinck of the Free University of Amsterdam in Holland.

This article is the fruit of a dialogue between Helm and Trinity's Kevin Vanhoozer concerning the hyper-critical approach of many theologians to the first 19 pages of Hodge's Systematic Theology. Helm finds Vanhoozer's criticisms to be off the mark and (me thinks rightly) nuances much of what Hodge says there, also bringing to light some of the presuppositions of not only the anti-Princetonian thinkers, but also of Kuyper and Bavinck themselves. He even allows Geerhardus Vos to have a voice in the conversation! Oh what a scandal when Princeton and Amsterdam collide in one man!

All in all, it made me salivate. Though I cannot say that I totally disagree with Vanhoozer (but this is the closest I've ever come!), I consider myself blessed to be able to study under Helm at Highland Theological College.