Neo-Calvinism: A Theological Introduction

by N. Gray Sutanto, Cory C. Brock, George Harinck (Foreword)

Discover the rich theology of Neo--Calvinism.

Abraham Kuyper and Herman Bavinck sparked a theological tradition in the Netherlands that came to be known as Neo--Calvinism. While studies in Neo--Calvinism have focused primarily on its political and philosophical insights, its theology has received less attention.

In A Theological Introduction, Cory C. Brock and N. Gray Sutanto present the unique dogmatic contributions of the tradition. Each chapter focuses on a distinct theological aspect, such as revelation, creation, salvation, and ecclesiology. Neo-Calvinism produced rich theological work that yields promise for contemporary dogmatics. This book invites readers into this rich theological trajectory.

"This book is the sign that [Neo--Calvinist] theology has now passed beyond the Dutch fairway. It has reached the international waters." —George Harinck

459 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 8, 2023

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great summary of Kuyper's and Bavinck's theology

A very helpful and comprehensive summary of Kuyper's and Bavinck's theology, otherwise known as neo-Calvinism. The author's identify the logic behind a number of key emphases within neo-Calvinism, and hope to demonstrate how some of the impulses of these two theologians and help contemporary Christian theologians wrestle with issues today. This is by no means an easy book, and assumes background in theology. It would serve well as a textbook in a graduate theological program.

[Mark Gring · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have now completed this book and I am thoroughly impressed with these authors and this text. This is MANDATORY reading for those who want to understand reformed theology, its history (recent), an overview of neo-Calvinist theology (especially Kuyper and Bavinck), and how reformed theology can impact internationally. I stand by all the statements I made when I was only halfway through this text. I can only add, now, that my regard for these authors and this text have increased. I have purchased other texts they have written and helped translate. This stuff is theological gold.

First, these scholars have done a wonderful service to the reformed world by synthesizing the works of Kuyper and Bavinck in the manner they have. As such, if you have had trouble grasping a general (view of the forest and not just the trees) understanding of neo-calvinism, then start here!! The synthesis is done in such a way that you get a general grasp/overview of several of these authors works. They have distilled some abstract and broad concepts into easy-to-swallow portions--to keep with the distilling metaphor. Note, too, from my own academic preferences, that this text is written with a good number of footnotes, original Dutch when they translate it, and wonderful references to primary and secondary literature on Kuyper and Bavinck. This, alone, is GOLD!!

Second, Brock and Sutanto have also done a wonderful service to emphasize the historically-sound, theological bases for neo-calvinism's larger, "organic" view of the kingdom of God and its influence on the larger society and "nature"/material realm. They finally take this perspective OUT of the hands of well-meaning but muddle-headed, left-leaning, woke Christian ideologues who believe that a socialist-leaning, anti-capitalist, "over-realized eschatology" is in keeping with Kuyper's, Bavinck's, (and Dooyeweerd's) understanding of sociopolitical engagement.

Get this book! Read this book! If you are familiar with Kuyper and Bavinck, this text will help you to see some larger themes and patterns that you will recognize in the works of Rookmaaker, Dooyeweerd, and Van Til. If you are NOT familiar with Kuyper and Bavinck, this text will give a significant introduction of depth that will have you scrambling for the other works--many of which are available in English but some still in Dutch.