Essay: Analysis and Reflection on Geerhardus Vos's Redemptive History

This essay provides a reflection on the theological perspectives of Geerhardus Vos, focusing on his view of theology as a science about God and his emphasis on God's revelation to humanity. The essay explores Vos's division of revelation into the Mosaic, prophetic, and New Testament epochs, detailing key figures, events, and teachings within each. It highlights the significance of Vos's work in understanding the story of redemption from Adam to Christ's second coming, emphasizing the importance of communion with God and the fulfillment of promises made to the forefathers. The student's reflection demonstrates an understanding of Vos's theological framework, including the significance of Christ's sacrifice and the anticipation of his return. The essay uses references to Vos's publications to support its analysis of his work.

A reflection on Geerhardus Vos 1
A reflection on Geerhardus Vos
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16 October 2017

A reflection on Geerhardus Vos 2
A reflection on Geerhardus Vos
Geerhardus Vos looks at theology as a science about God. Vos majors at explaining
to people more so the Christians of the revelation of God. He has approached this through
theology studies (Vos, 2017).
Theology being a science about God, it is said that before we can go to God, He must
first come down to us. He explains this in three divisions. First is the Mosaic epoch of
revelation, he looked at various points. The life of a person, his probation time, temptation,
the death- either mortality or immortality. The curse which was first pronounced to Adam in
Eden, which brought about the human suffering. Then came the period of Noah where the
earth was destroyed by flood, him together with his family were preserved in that generation.
After that, we had other great patriarchs. Abraham was called by God and redemption was
also promised to him. He was a man of great faith and through him Isaac a patriarch was even
born as his promised son. To Isaac was born Jacob who had grand visions and to note the
Bethel dream vision and his wrestling with the angel of God at Peniel. In the period of
Moses, God revealed himself to the people by the pillar of cloud during the day and fire by
night throughout their journey from Egypt to Canaan. God delivered them from bondage and
fighting for them with many nations (Vos, 2013). They were also given the tabernacle – the
Ten Commandments and were given the anti-typical tabernacle, the sacrificial system of the
law which pointed to the death of Christ. The second division is the prophetic epoch of
revelation. Prophets were God’s representatives and told of things that happened, were
happening that time and expected to occur in the future. God communicated to the by speech,
miracles and even dreams. Lastly is the New Testament which brings the prophecy of Jesus
the Messiah from the old testament and the teachings of John the Baptist, teachings on Jesus
(Vos, 2015). The baptism and temptation of Christ and His public ministry stressing on the

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majesty of God and the evils of Satan. Jesus also taught about having faith in him and sincere
repentance to attain righteousness. We also have the teachings of Paul and other apostles
about the expectations of Christians and the Kingdom of Heaven.
Vos’ study explains the story of redemption from the time of Adam to that of Christ’s
second coming. The promise given to our forefathers like Abraham was finally fulfilled in the
birth of Christ on earth. It helps me understand how God worked in various capacities to
save man from sin. He stresses on the need of we human beings should have communion
with God by allowing Him to come down to us (Vos, 2011).
I now understand why Jesus came and why the sacrificial offerings are no more after
Christ died on the cross and He is the type doing away with the anti-type. The only thing
remaining is Christ coming for the second time to take to heaven those who will be
redeemed.

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References
Vos, G. (2011). Grace and Glory (恩恩恩恩恩). Hyweb Technology Co. Ltd..
Vos, G. (2013). Reformed Dogmatics. Edited and translated by Richard B. Gaffin Jr, 5,
2012-16.
Vos, G. (2015). Pauline Eschatology. Ravenio Books.
Vos, G. (2017). The idea of biblical theology as science and as a theological discipline.
Accessed on 16 Oct. 17.
https://myrrh.library.moore.edu.au/bitstream/handle/10248/10226/vos_redemptive_hi
story_and_biblical_interpretation_p_3_24.pdf?sequence=1