A System of Biblical Psychology

Rating:
Summary: A classic work available again
Review: In 1855 Franz Delitzsch published his original "System of Biblical Psychology". In 1861 he published a second, updated edition, and in 1866 it was translated from the German to English. This particular translation was first published in 1899 and this is the newest printing of that publication. From the beginning the reader must understand the word psychology as it is used within the work. Franz Delitzsch takes the position that the Bible provides an exhaustive examination of human nature. Throughout the stories, wisdom, and poetry is an account of human nature and how human act and react in various situations. With that in mind, an examination of the Bible shows a well-defined system of psychology, a complete treatise on human nature. As such, a study of Biblical psychology should have as its purpose to "bring out the views of Scripture regarding the nature, the life and life-destinies of the soul, as they are determined in the history of salvation".

Franz Delitzsch thoroughly examines this relationship between man and God, man and self, and man and his fellow man as viewed through the lens of the Bible. Major headings include pre-existence, creation, the fall, man's natural condition, the regeneration, death, and resurrection and consummation. The section on man's natural condition is particularly interesting. In it he discusses the personality, the soul, the powers of the soul, development of the threefold life, soul and blood, heart and head, health and sickness, natural and demoniacal sickness, and superstition and magic.

After each section Dr. Delitzsch included an appendix with appropriate information for that section. This is a nice touch as it provides the related information at the point in the book where it was studied. If you want to understand Biblical psychology as it was understood in the late 1800s you can't go wrong with this book. In a single volume it presents the complete understanding of the main-line theologians of the time and forms a solid basis for a historical study of Biblical psychology. This is a very highly recommended book for anyone interested in this area of study.

Rating:
Summary: A classic work available again
Review: In 1855 Franz Delitzsch published his original "System of Biblical Psychology". In 1861 he published a second, updated edition, and in 1866 it was translated from the German to English. This particular translation was first published in 1899 and this is the newest printing of that publication. From the beginning the reader must understand the word psychology as it is used within the work. Franz Delitzsch takes the position that the Bible provides an exhaustive examination of human nature. Throughout the stories, wisdom, and poetry is an account of human nature and how human act and react in various situations. With that in mind, an examination of the Bible shows a well-defined system of psychology, a complete treatise on human nature. As such, a study of Biblical psychology should have as its purpose to "bring out the views of Scripture regarding the nature, the life and life-destinies of the soul, as they are determined in the history of salvation".

Franz Delitzsch thoroughly examines this relationship between man and God, man and self, and man and his fellow man as viewed through the lens of the Bible. Major headings include pre-existence, creation, the fall, man's natural condition, the regeneration, death, and resurrection and consummation. The section on man's natural condition is particularly interesting. In it he discusses the personality, the soul, the powers of the soul, development of the threefold life, soul and blood, heart and head, health and sickness, natural and demoniacal sickness, and superstition and magic.

After each section Dr. Delitzsch included an appendix with appropriate information for that section. This is a nice touch as it provides the related information at the point in the book where it was studied. If you want to understand Biblical psychology as it was understood in the late 1800s you can't go wrong with this book. In a single volume it presents the complete understanding of the main-line theologians of the time and forms a solid basis for a historical study of Biblical psychology. This is a very highly recommended book for anyone interested in this area of study.