Neo-Calvinism: A Theological Introduction
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 Neo-Calvinism: 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.
Praise for Neo-Calvinism
This book is the sign that [Neo-Calvinist] theology has now passed beyond the Dutch fairway. It has reached the international waters.
—George Harinck, from the foreword
So many of us have learned about neo-Calvinism through one thinker such as Abraham Kuyper or Herman Bavinck or J.H. Bavinck or Klaas Schilder, but here we are presented with it as a whole tradition with many rich variations and dimensions. This introduction is highly readable and perfect for the theological student. But it is also eminently practical. The chapter on Revelation and Reason alone is bristling with insights and implications for the evangelist, apologist, and missionary. Highly recommended.
—Timothy Keller, pastor emeritus, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City; author, The Reason for God
This is a much-needed reintroduction to neo-Calvinism in our day and age, when misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and misapplications of neo-Calvinism abound in Christian as well as non-Christian communities worldwide.
—Alex Shao Kai Tseng, research professor, School of Philosophy, Zhejiang University
This is an indispensable primer on the most generative and influential version of “neo-Calvinism,” the modern Dutch version that stems from the theological writings of Abraham Kuyper and Herman Bavinck. Comprehensive yet concise, it is the best place to start for those who need an introduction to the orthodox yet modern, theological yet secular work of the most important Calvinist intellectuals of the last two centuries.
—Douglas A. Sweeney, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
At last we have a thoroughly theological introduction to neo-Calvinism! Those who are new to this stream of thought could have no better guide. Those who are acquainted with neo-Calvinism will find this sure-footed account of key loci in Kuyper and Bavinck to be a richly helpful resource.
—Suzanne McDonald, professor of systematic and historical theology, Western Theological Seminary
Cory Brock and Gray Sutanto serve as able guides in re-introducing the witness and wisdom of those two theological giants and the catholic force of their effort to take every thought captive to Christ. Take and read of what they saw and said and of what we may be called to hear and herald too.
—Michael Allen, John Dyer Trimble Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary
This is a book that has long been needed. Finally, it's here!
—Nicholas Wolterstorff, Noah Porter Professor Emeritus of Philosophical Theology, Yale University
- Foreword by George Harinck
- Introduction
- “Calvinism” and “Neo-Calvinism”
- Catholic and Modern
- Revelation and Reason
- Scripture and Organism
- Creation and Re-creation
- Image and Fall
- Common Grace and the Gospel
- The Church and the World
- Coda
- Title: Neo-Calvinism: A Theological Introduction
- Authors: N. Gray Sutanto and Cory C. Brock
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2022
- Pages: 320
- Format: Logos Digital, Hardcover
- Trim Size: 5.75x8.75
- ISBN: 9781683596462
N. Gray Sutanto (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is assistant professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, and the author of God and Knowledge: Herman Bavinck’s Theological Epistemology of God. He is an associate fellow at the Neo-Calvinism Research Institute.
Cory C. Brock (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is a minister at St Columba's Free Church of Scotland in Edinburgh and an adjunct lecturer in theology at Edinburgh Theological Seminary. He is the author of Orthodox Yet Modern: Herman Bavinck’s Use of Friedrich Schleiermacher and co-editor of the T&T Clark Handbook on Neo-Calvinism (forthcoming).
Reviews
1 rating
Josh Skinner
2/8/2023
I have been excited about this release for months. In fact, I preordered on Logos.com before stumbling across a review copy on NetGalley. I canceled my preorder because I figured that I would just read the review copy and be good (I am poor-adjacent... don't @ me!). But about a chapter in, I re-preordered because this is a volume I will read again and reference regularly. I had read Bartholomew's *Contours* a couple of years ago and enjoyed it and have read some Kuyper and some Bavinck, but Brock and Sutanto have written a great work that has re-sparked my desire to dive into the works of Kuyper and Bavinck. Whereas Bartholomew seemed to focus on what developed out of the teaching of Kuyper, Brock and Sutanto's work really fills in the gaps for me as to what both Kupyer and Bavinck explicitly taught. I appreciate the need and benefit of both approaches, but since Bartholomew's excellent work already exists, I am glad Brock and Sutanto went this route. Plus, this volume functions well as a resource that will aid me greatly in approaching primary documents, so I appreciate that. And while this book is fine in print (assumed) and ebook (for sure), I think it shines brightest in Logos format with citations linked and searches and guides super accessible. Brock and Sutanto strike a good balance between being thoroughly sourced but not burdening the reader with ceaseless secondary references. The vast majority of works referenced are primary writings from Kuyper and Bavinck and as such the book stays focused as a close reading of the two leading figures of early Neo-Calvinism. e-ARC provided, Logos edition purchased. Grab a copy of this and be blessed.
