Contours of the Kuyperian Tradition: A Systematic Introduction

Abraham Kuyper’s life and work merit close attention in our times, and Contours of the Kuyperian Tradition is an indispensable guide to this rich tradition and its contemporary relevance. Kuyper’s labors ranged far and wide, and it can be easy to get lost in the complexity of this dynamic legacy. This volume provides a valuable introduction to these diverse efforts, clarifying and distilling Kuyper’s wisdom for today.

—Jordan J. Ballor, senior research fellow, Acton Institute for the Study of Religion Liberty, general editor of Abraham Kuyper Collected Works in Public Theology

Craig Bartholomew numbers among the consummate insiders of the Kuyperian tradition, but he has written an accessible guide for the new and curious. Bartholomew presents the distinctive features of neo-Calvinism, such as its emphasis on worldview, sphere sovereignty, and structural pluralism, while also highlighting neglected dimensions such as its spirituality, concern for the poor, and focus on mission. Writing from a South African perspective, Bartholomew also does not shy away from criticizing the tradition when necessary. We’ve needed a contemporary theological introduction to neo-Calvinism for a long time, and Contours of the Kuyperian Tradition will undoubtedly become a standard textbook in this burgeoning field.

—Clifford B. Anderson, associate university librarian for research and learning, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

What do you get when one of the world’s most masterful contemporary theologians engages in constructive and critical dialogue with one of history’s most powerful and relevant theological traditions? You get Craig Bartholomew’s Contours of the Kuyperian Tradition. Bartholomew’s interaction with Kuyper, Bavinck, Prinsterer, Plantinga, and others is smart, accessible, and relevant to a broad range of interests, including public theology, systematic theology, philosophy, political science, education, and biblical theology. Highly recommended.

—Bruce Riley Ashford, provost and professor of theology culture, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Craig Bartholomew’s study offers one of the best English-language interactions with Abraham Kuyper and neo-Calvinism that I know of. He transcends the often repeated and stereotyped key slogans and concepts. As he often relies on his personal fresh and independent observations, he addresses the reader with the persuasiveness of the established theologian. He succeeds in really connecting this tradition, which already existed in the nineteenth century, with today’s world and problems, proving neo-Calvinism to be still very much alive. Everywhere the reader tastes Bartholomew’s lively and appealing enthusiasm for the Kuyperian tradition, which he discovered already some time ago. At the same time, however, his book offers much more than just an overview or summary of that tradition. On the contrary, we receive an independent contemporary engagement with it that does not hesitate to generously use related accents from other traditions. Bartholomew’s book illustrates the importance of Kuyper and neo-Calvinism but also offers an important and creative continuation of that tradition.

—A.L.Th. de Bruijne, professor of ethics and spirituality, Theological University Kampen