Die hart van die mens herontdek: op die spoor van ’n Skrifgetroue mensbeskouing in die filosofie van D.H. Th. Vollenhoven

Abstract

The heart of humankind rediscovered: on the track of a Scriptural view of being human in the philosophy of D.H. Th. Vollenhoven

This article provides a summary of the anthroplogy of the reformational philosopher, D.H. Th. Vollenhoven (1892-1978). Such a synopsis is needed because Vollenhoven himself never worked out his views on being human in detail. The “fragments” from his different writings as well as some books about his philosophy are therefore collected in order to clarify the basic contours as well as uniqueness of his viewpoint. This is done in the light of the fact that many Christians even today are still influenced by all kinds of unbiblical anthropological ideas. The investigation develops from an introduction that indicates the need and topical nature of the research. This is followed by an explanation of Vollenhoven’s historical and systematic approach as well as the development of his own anthropological views. It is then indicated how he (with his problem-historical method) analysed the great variety of anthropologies throughout history. The next section contains a systematic exposition of his own views on being human, which is followed by an indication of its contemporary relevance. The concluding section consists of a review and final evaluation.