Creating a Christian Worldview: Abraham Kuyper's Lectures on Calvinism

by Peter Somers Heslam

Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) dominated the religious and political life of the Netherlands for nearly half a century, and his ideas continue to inspire an international school of thought. This book by Peter Heslam discusses Kuyper's ideas in their context by providing a historical commentary on the book in which they receive their most significant expression, Lectures on Calvinism — a series of six lectures that Kuyper delivered at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1898. Heslam begins by reviewing Kuyper's importance in the history of ideas and explaining why Lectures on Calvinism is still of special interest. In the main body of the book Heslam provides a probing analysis of each of the six lectures in turn. Central to Heslam's analysis is a discussion of the motivation of Kuyper's why did he maintain the standpoints he did, and what did he hope to achieve by doing so? In answering this question, Heslam explores Kuyper's position relative to others of his time and in connection with the events of his own career. Published in the centennial year of Abraham Kuyper's famous Stone Lectures, this volume offers a valuable study of Kuyper's thought and the abiding worldview that is his legacy.

Genres: Theology, Cultural, Biography

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1998

Reviews

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellency situating of the historical context of Kuyper’s Stone Lectures.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful supplement to Kuyper's lectures. Provided good background material and has an extensive bibliography and footnote material for further reading. Presents thoughtful and balanced commentary on Kuyper and the lectures he gave at Princeton, situating them historically in terms of Kuyper's own life and theology.

[Scott Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abraham Kuyper is one of the more fascinating persons in Dutch Calvinist history. As Prime Minister of the Netherlands he dominated the religious and political scene for almost 50 years! This book by Peter Heslam draws heavily from Kuyper's famous Stone lectures delivered at Princeton in the late 1800's (I have read that President Woodrow Wilson was in attendance at these lectures). The chapters cover such varied topics as Calvinism and politics, religion, science, and art to name just a few. Each of these topics is richly developed by a man who helped shape much of modern Calvinistic thinking. Unfortunately, many fail to realize what a rich heritage we have in the thinking of such renowned men like Kuyper.

[Mar · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 for me, but 3-5 for those interested in the topic.

Somers reviews Abraham Kuyper's Stone Lectures given at Princeton. Each chapter explains one of the lectures within the historical context from which Kuyper spoke. Heslam's critique and commentary is interwoven with his summaries of Kuyper's lectures. Very detailed for those wanting an in-depth analysis. Heslam does a great job, but his analysis was too detailed for me.
Lecture 1: Worldview--Calvinism as a life system
Lecture 2: Calvinism and Religion; God's Sovereignty in all spheres of life; --this Calvinist emphasis contrasted with the Lutheran emphasis on salvation by faith alone
Lecture 3: Calvinism and Politics
Lecture 4: Calvinism and Science
Lecture 5: Calvinism and the Arts
Lecture 6: Calvinism and the Future--more about Calvinism and the current (1898) state of affairs

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read briskly when researching for a thesis. Interacted a bit with his assessment of Kuyper's influence on verzuiling. The author does a fine job on setting Kuyper and his Lectures in context, and does a good analysis of them