The Kuyper Center Review, volume 4: Calvinism and Democracy

by John Bowlin (Editor)

Overview

Explores the influence of Calvinism on democratic theory and practice

Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) -- pastor, theologian, journalist, and politician -- is highly regarded as exemplifying how a Christian worldview can be confidently expressed in both theory and practice. Honoring the spirit of Kuyper's legacy, The Kuyper Center Review annually publishes substantial essays that relate the tradition of Reformed theology to issues of public life.

Kuyper was a principal force, both political and intellectual, behind the democratization of politics and public life that occurred in the Netherlands at the close of the nineteenth century. This volume reflects on that legacy, not only examining its theological roots and historical context but also assessing democracy's prospects in our own day and considering the ways in which Reformed theology might provide resources for democratic criticism and renewal.

Contributors:
Clifford B. Anderson
Michael Brautigam
Clay Cooke
Michael DeMoor
James Eglinton
George Harinck
Brant Himes
David Little
Jeffrey Stout
Harry Van Dyke

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467440332
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	04/20/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	211
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

John Bowlin is the Rimmer and Ruth de Vries Associate Professor of Reformed Theology and Public Life at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Table of Contents

Editorial Introduction vii

Contributors x

Neo-Calvinism and Democracy: An Overview from the Mid-Nineteenth Century till the Second World War George Harinck 1

Calvinism, Constitutionalism, and the Ingredients of Peace David Little 21

Christianity and the Class Struggle Jeffrey Stout 40

Liberalism versus Democracy? Abraham Kuyper and Carl Schmitt as Critics of Liberalism Chord B. Anderson 54

The Christian as homo politicus: Abraham Kuyper and Democratic Imbalance in Post-Democratic Times Michael Bräutigam 67

Distinctively Common: Advancing Herman Bavinck's Theology to Pressure Liberal Democratic Ideals Clay Cooke 86

Legitimacy, Public Justice, and Deliberative Democracy Michael DeMoor 104

Democracy and Ecclesiology: An Aristocratic Church for a Democratic Age? Jaynes Eglinton 134

Distinct Discipleship: Abraham Kuyper, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Christian Engagement in Public Life Brant Himes 147

Abraham Kuyper between Parsonage and Parliament Harry Van Dyke 171

Kuyper as Emancipator and Christian Democra Harry Van Dyke 187

Editorial Reviews

Political Theology
"Immerses readers in the historic, political and theological underpinnings funding the neo-Calvinist engagement with democracy. The result is a volume that not only offers a lucid account of the multifaceted relationship of neo-Calvinist theology to democracy, but one that generates fresh thinking about the theological challenges democracy brings. . . . The contributions here are formidable: a testament to the acumen and promise of the next generation of Neo-Calvinist political theology."

From the Publisher