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Abraham Kuyper
RL: In the Stone Lectures (now published as Lectures on Calvinism), Kuyper elaborates on the need for developing a comprehensive Biblical world- and life-view to combat the equally all-encompassing system of secular-humanism. He shows how our fundamental understanding of the world influences our involvement in various aspects of culture. He frequently addressed the biblical doctrine of common grace, as well as the creation mandate (or cultural mandate) given to man by God. RL: Kuyper's idea of sphere sovereignty (often mentioned by Joe N.) delineates various spheres of authority in human society (i.e. family, state, church). While these spheres are necessary and interrelated, none of them should not assume the authority of the other spheres. One effect of this distinction is to limit the role of the state to certain, specific functions. In many ways, Kuyper was echoing the ancient Hebrew prophetic tradition in which God's Word (through His prophets) addresses (and often challenges) the institutions and proponents of religious and social issues, cultural matters, and political policies.
Many have pointed out that Kuyper's teaching on these issues provides an intellectual justification for pluralism in its best sense: that of carving out space for the co-existence of various competing voices in the public square in a context of civility and mutual respect. This limited sort of pluralism maintains a commitment to influencing opinions and worldviews through persuasion rather than through force. Kuyper said that this is the proper method for bringing Christ’s kingdom to bear on all of life and society.
Kuyper's written works include The Problem of Poverty, Principles of Sacred Theology, The Work of the Holy Spirit, Christianity and Class Struggle, and one of my favorite devotional works: [To Be] Near Unto God. An abridged version of the Stone Lectures (with a study guide) is published as Christianity: A Total World and Life System. - Ron |
"The Dutch statesman Abraham Kuyper founded two newspapers, a university, a political party, and a denomination. Nor was he content to start something and then move on to quite a different project. During his career, which lasted from his ordination in the 1860s until his death in 1920, he regularly wrote articles for his newspapers; he taught theology at the Free University; he led his party both as a member of the Dutch Parliament and, for a few years, as prime minister; and he played an active role in the life (and controversies) of the Dutch Reformed churches. Kuyper visited the
I believe that Augustine and Kuyper would remind us that God’s City will survive the aftermath of the next election. Which is not to say, "Turn on, tune in, drop out." I guess it just means we can take a deep breath and pray not just for the outcome, but also for ourselves and our reaction (positive or negative) in light of the gospel of Christ and His Kingdom.
