Calvinism and Politics 1

                                           

John Calvin and Abraham Kuyper. Both of these men have shaped history and theology in important ways. Calvin’s work impacts a variety of topics: Politics, Science, art, and religion. His insights also include God’s sovereignty in the world, God-ordained spheres of authority, and God’s election of his people.

Kuyper knew his own time well, and he had a great eye for what was to come. Learning from Kuyper offers us a chance to get a better picture of our world and how we can work to bring the gospel to coming generations. Abraham Kuyper was understood. He went on to study philosophy, theology, and literature at the university level. He was also a minister in the Dutch Reformed church, but he saw corruption there and led a reforming movement. This movement encouraged a clearer separation of church and state. Jesus is king, and he is ruling over everything, and there is nothing that escapes his judging eye and his jurisdiction.

Kuyper saw John Cavin’s work as teaching and applying what the Bible taught about the gospel. The gospel impacts everything. It impacts our relationship with God, our relationship with man, and our relationship with the world. At every moment of our existence, our entire spiritual life rests in God Himself. God has established authorities in the world and that God has ordained them to maintain good order.