Book Review - Crowning His Gifts

The following review was written by John Hooper on the book Crowning His Gifts by Brian Huizinga (Jenison, MI: Reformed Free Publishing, 2024). The review was originally published in the Bible League Quarterly, Issue No. 499 OCTOBER–DECEMBER 2024.

The author of this book is Professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament Studies at the Theological Schools of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America (PRCA), in Wyoming, Michigan. In his search through the literature to find out what Reformed writers of the past had to say about rewards the author was able to find no single book dedicated to the subject, "and precious little in many of the trustworthy sources of systematic theology" (page xiv). Prompted by a desire to investigate further, he settled on the subject for a master's degree and the book Crowning His Gifts is, with little change, the thesis he submitted to the faculty of Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids in May 2022.

I strongly suspect that many readers will regard what they have just read as three good reasons not to buy and read this book. A master's thesis sounds far too academic to be of spiritual benefit; the subject of rewards sounds far too dubious to interest a lover of free grace; and perhaps reservations about the PRCA are too entrenched for readers to part with their money. But that would be to make a great mistake. Prof. Huizinga—the Dutch diphthong ui is pronounced something like the English ou in house—has given us a book that does not read at all like a thesis. It is beautifully written, warm, pastoral, practical, and absorbing to read. It is thoroughly Biblical, following faithfully in the Reformed tradition as demonstrated by its use of the Reformed creeds and the writings of Reformed pastors and theologians. No pun is intended when I say that it is one of the most rewarding books I have read for some time.

Are we afraid of the idea of rewards? Early in his book Huizinga devotes several pages to this question. He quotes a Dutch Reformed preached as saying, "Out of fear of the Romish doctrine of meritorious good works, the Reformed have sometimes put too little emphasis on the doctrine of the reward" (page 21). In all likelihood this still applies, and explains why it is an unfamiliar doctrine. Personally, I can relate to that hesitation, but in response Huizinga directs us to Scripture: "It takes concerted effort to read the Bible and not see a reward for good works. One must do violence to the Scripture either by excising portions of them or explaining away the meaning" (page 29). He points out, "The striking testimony of Scripture is that no one preached rewards as frequently as Jesus did, and the reason for that emphasis is that no one stressed the cost of discipleship as the Master Himself" (page 218). This Biblical emphasis is evident throughout the book, and its Scripture index runs to over six pages. Is it the case that we are not seeing the doctrine because we do not want to see it?

For his historic sources, Huizinga draws largely from three categories. The first comprises the continental Reformers, mainly Luther and Calvin, but especially Calvin; the second is a range of later Dutch preachers and theologians, notably Jan Bavinck and his son, the better-known Herman Bavinck; the third comprises writers of his own denomination. Less represented are Puritan and Presbyterian writers, but both John Owen and Charles Hodge are cited with approval, as are A. W Pink, Derek Thomas and Richard Phillips, bringing us up to the present.

Readers can be assured that in allaying our fears and misgivings, Huizinga offers no concession whatsoever to the idea of merit. Running like a golden thread through the whole book is the supremacy of grace, culminating in the chapter entitled "Not of Merit, but of Grace." The relationship between divine electing grace before the foundation of the world, the believer's good works in time, and the bestowal of rewards, both earthly and heavenly, are matters to which we probably give little thought, but this book shows us what we are missing.

The longest chapter is concerned with "Degrees of Reward in Heaven," in which Huizinga carefully and faithfully explains Scripture passages such as the Lord's own words in Revelation 22:12, "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." I would encourage believers to buy the book, even if for this chapter alone. Other chapters consider "Temporal Rewards on Earth;' which is certainly far removed from the so-called prosperity gospel, and "God's Purpose with the Reward." The chapter "Implications for the Christian Life" is full of warm pastoral application. He writes, "There is reward, but first the work. There is the reaping, but first the sowing. There is a crown, but first the striving. There is victory, but first the battle. There is harbour, but first the rowing. There is rest, but first the exertion. Now we work. Not to earn—the burden would crush us—but to serve with love and gratitude" (page 215).

When faced with the question of whether rewards are a motive for good works, Huizinga answers cautiously. In effect he says both yes and no. "In setting a reward before his children, God does not introduce a new motive for obedience. No new motive is needed. Where the hearts of God's people are filled with love and gratitude, obedience will freely flow" (page 184). And yet Huizinga, along with Calvin and many others in the Reformed tradition, recognises that rewards have a place as encouragements along a path of faithfulness and good works in a hostile world.

I particularly enjoyed his comments on the Dutch writers' use of their word prikkel. Yes, it really does come from the same root as our English prickle! In the context of the reward of grace prikkel is "not a painful or unpleasant stimulus like a stinging thorn that spurs someone onward in their effort to escape pain. Rather it is a pleasant stimulus that sweetly excites the heart" (page 174; my emphasis —JH).What a delightful expression! The term "sweet stimulus" is one Huizinga uses often. He tells us, "The Dutch theologians are very fond of the word prikkel and use it consistently to describe the promise of a reward" (ibid). So, while the motive is love and gratitude, the prikkel of the coming reward helps to activate that motive, producing yet more works of obedience, especially when faced with persecution and suffering.

The author concedes that he is handling a subject on which good men differ and he recognises that caution needs to be taken, especially when handling the question of degrees of glory in heaven. While he makes a compelling case for such varying degrees of heavenly reward, "differences on this point," he believes," should never separate believers or churches" (page 99). Personally, I find it hard to believe that a Christian can read this book without being warmly and inexorably drawn to share in the author's convictions.

The book is well produced with a clear print and layout. In addition to the Scripture index already mentioned, there are indices of creedal references and names, and a bibliography. All Bible quotations are taken from the Authorised Version. You might not agree with everything Huizinga says, but Crowning His Gifts is a delightful, instructive, challenging and compelling read. It refreshes the soul and I cannot recommend it too much.

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