If you are looking for a Christmas (or New Year) present for yourself, probably the best choice among Bavinck’s major works are the two volumes of Reformed Ethics (Baker Academic, 2019 and 2021). Buying them in paper format is best, since they will serve as reference tools for many years to come. Of course, having digital copies as well means that one can peck away at the thousand-odd pages whenever you have free time, without lugging the paper copy with you.
The editor’s Introduction in Volume I is not easy reading but it is worth skimming. The editor’s Preface in volume II is much shorter and more interesting. Chapters 7 and 8 in Volume I on the life in the Spirit give one a good overview of how this theme can enhance a Presbyterian or Reformed church person’s life and ethics.
Chapters 15-21 in the second volume adopt the traditional Reformed pattern of expounding the Ten Commandments and issues related to them. There is much information there to enjoy and learn from: on private property, sex, cremation, alcohol use, hypnotism, cosmetics, animal welfare, etc. Some of the views that are catalogued are amusing, such as how many and what kind of people to invite to a dinner party (RE II, 346)!
Footnotes to Christian authors abound, including leading English Puritan writers such as William Perkins. While the works are meant for a seminary-level audience and sometimes cite Bible words or passages in the original languages, this is not frequent and one can get Bavinck’s meaning readily. It would help to read carefully a copy of the Heidelberg Catechism when tackling Bavinck.
Living in Truth editor Andy Cornell has noted this useful, short article about Bavinck: thegospelcoalition.org. The Wikipedia site also has an entry outlining Bavinck’s life and thought.
