In today's secular world, the Christian faith is viewed as only one aspect of what could be called “religious life.” Acknowledging this, Hendrikus Berkhof begins this thought-provoking study with a sketch of religion and faith in general before narrowing it down to a discussion of the specific place of Christian faith in all of reality. / For Berkhof the starting point in his systematic examination of Christian faith is revelation — the sources and norms for our knowledge of God. This leads to a discussion of God, creation, Israel, the person and work of Christ, the church, and finally, the renewal of the world and of humanity. Throughout the book Berkhof comments on (and often takes issues with) systematic theologians of the past. / Written for both the layperson and the scholar, the text is interspersed with excursuses (set off in smaller type than the main text) that cover specific subjects more thoroughly, citing sources, controversies, and other details which will be of particular interest to theologians and students.