Daneel on Berkouwer mei 2011, M.L. Daneel

 

Personal Memories of Three Dutch “Saints”: G.C. Berkouwer

 

And then there was Prof. G.C. Berkouwer, one of the most outstanding Reformed dogmaticians (systematic theologians) of his time in Europe. In my experience the three men – Berkouwer, Bavinck and Kraemer – together formed a triumvirate of 'academic saints' in Holland. Not that I pretend to know much about the qualifications for sainthood. Maybe there would have been a faint frown on the Lord's brow about Berkouwer’s chain-cigar-smoking, but I think there would have been more of a divine smile at the man's endless exuberance in telling and retelling the Gospel good news – be it sheer brilliance and joy in teaching, preaching, storytelling or the endless interpretation in depth of the latest theological publications finding their way to his desk.

 

            Berkouwer excelled as a brilliant mind and an exceptional orator. He lectured with flair and ease, rarely consulting his notes and often switching to related side-issues. Sometimes one thought he'd never find his way back to the main subject. But he never erred in rounding off a lengthy supplement on recent theological developments with a sharp summary of its value and validity for the main subject and then pick up the core thread of his lecture with ease as if he had merely paused for a moment. During classes we, as students, were therefore continually exposed to the latest theological theories and controversies in Europe and elsewhere, as espoused by leading lay, church and academic authors. Berkouwer wrote a massive tome on Karl Barth: Triomf der Genade and for length of time produced a book each year in his famous series: Dogmatische Studien. His ability to read fast with total concentration, internalize the main theories and arguments of authors and to integrate it for immediate use in his immense memory-system was quite amazing.

 

            I took nearly a year off to study dogmatics as an additional main subject, next to Missionary Science and History of Missions. What I had experienced in earlier years as a somewhat dry and boring subject, then became an adventure in the varied interpretations of church life, doctrines and of the nature of the message Christians try to proclaim. I enjoyed this phase of study because I was inspired to work really hard, having found that Berkouwer lived his theology because he was living for his students, attempting to equip them fully for the Christ-discipleship they had chosen. In doing so he was first and foremost a Scripture-oriented teacher rather than a speculative philosopher-dogmatician. It always struck me when I entered or left his library-study at home how fully absorbed he was in the lives of his students and their publications. Next to his own publications on his shelves stood a long row of the doctoral dissertations and other publications of his students. These were the books, rather than his own studies, that he liked to touch with fondness and reverence as he moved to or from his working desk. It was in that context that I did my oral exams and tried to keep the Ritmeester cigar he always offered, lighted, but to no avail. I was obviously too nervous to keep pulling on the darn thing while I had to unravel the disputes of theopaschitism (the 'subordination' of Jesus in relation to his Father) or the Catholic distinctions of human merit (meritum de congruo and meritum de condigno) in relation to God's grace – and such like issues. (And please don't ask me today to elaborate correctly on these subjects, because that was 50 years ago, and I have meanwhile lost a bit of the ambition and plenty of the gray cells up top!).

 

            The introduction to an oral exam–ritual was always that of joining Berkouwer and his gracious lady on the carpet of the living room playing with some of their children (of which they had eleven!), or with their grandchildren. Berkouwer always appeared to be as jovial and unfazed by his frolicking, loud and unruly off-spring as he was in the presence of any audience he had to address. However cute the little ones, there was little anybody could do to lessen the stress I felt in anticipation of the looming ordeal of testing-time!

 

            Nonetheless, there was a genuine ability of stimulating sound inter-human engagement in the make-up of this professor that favoured any ' beleaguered' student. For all his professional calm, his inner enthusiasm and excitement about a student's progress and critical disposition, always tended to get the better of him. During the exam you only needed to watch his body language to find clues about how you were doing and how to proceed. His looking out of the window meant: not entirely satisfied; a broad smile seemed to convey: now you're talking, man, keep going; lighting a new cigar before completing the previous one signalled the onset of real excitement and an added challenge: good, but now show me what you really have! And if you eventually found your mentor–teacher sitting on the edge of his chair (as you were doing all the time), you instinctively knew that you were clearing the high hurdle and could afford a relaxed conclusion.

 

            In retrospect, probing exam discussions under close, professional scrutiny – based on fairness of evaluation but never affording cheap compromise – was always a rewarding experience after months of preparation. Berkouwer led by example and I followed like a trusted member of the fold, never pressurized into a specific mould of thought but liberated to mature as independent scholar within the range of talents received. In that process the dreams about that wonderful, immense continent of my birth, Africa, and the ideals of the Western-oriented scholar of Scottish, Belgian and German ancestry started holding hands in comfort, unto new identity.

 

            Berkouwer taught us a great deal about modern Roman Catholic authors, especially those representing the Theologie Nouvelle, such as Karl Rahner, Danielou, Violet and Henri de lu Bac. However, one of his great moments came when he was invited to attend the Vatican II proceedings as leading Protestant interpreter. In his positive response, regular attendance at meetings, and weekly return to the Free University to lecture on the most recent developments and to work on newspaper releases for the Dutch press, he played a role of major significance for the advancement of ecumenical ties between global Protestantism and Catholicism. As privileged students we marveled at the way this wise and comprehensively informed emissary could, by way of vivid narrative, carry the day-to-day reality of Vatican II into our midst. He made us proud… And added purpose to our lives! (It was no coincidence that I in later years became the founder of the first ecumenical movement among the African Initiated Churches in Zimbabwe).

 

            Years after his death 'myth-making' stories about Berkouwer still circulated among his friends, colleagues and former students. My favourite is the following: During the Vatican II celebrations two Dutchmen observed the festivities at St. Peter's Square in Rome. When the papal motorcade came past them with two dignitaries standing in the lead vehicle waving to the crowd, the one Dutchman shouted proudly in excitement: 'Look, there goes Berkouwer! But who that dude in the white garments next to him is, I really don't know." "Neither do I," his friend concurred.

 

            My comments here are not intended as critique of sainthood in the Roman Catholic tradition. After all I have myself hinted at three characters of the previous century who could qualify for such special attention in the service of the Kingdom. I know too little about the spiritual conditions for such distinction. The Calvinism that has remained in my bones has not yielded the secrets in that realm. It would be more prudent for me to speak about the biblical 'cloud of witnesses'; a 'cloud' that lives in our midst, one that allows for the addition of all those Christ-like Christians, whose compelling witness and inspiration keep mobilizing us through the ages unto mission.

 

            Finally, I wish to point out that this reflection on "the three Dutch Saints" is my somewhat indirect contribution to the Edinburgh 2010 celebrations. These are mere personal foot-notes. Nonetheless, ‘foot-notes’ sometimes hold significant clues for interpreting the text; and as I have been richly blessed through direct contact with the Dutch mission and ecumenical giants mentioned, it seemed appropriate to share these memories at this point in time. The Lord be praised!!