by Jason Estopinal
“Contents” and “Editorial Introduction”
This is the first part of many short entries that cover “The T&T Clark Handbook of Neo-Calvnism” book edited by Nathaniel Gray Sutanto and Cory Brock. “The T&T Clark Handbook of Neo-Calvnism” is 40 chapters and covers 557 pages. It is my hope to share my thoughts and observations chapter by chapter. Today, I start with the 5 pages that make up the “Editorial Introduction” by Sutanto and Brock.
Neo-Calvinism Defined
The first line of the first page defines terms saying “Neo-Calvinism is the critical advancement of Reformed orthodoxy for the sake of modern life.” I’m not sure what is “critical” about the advancement of the Reformed orthodoxy, but my first 2 thoughts are:
1. Amen (!) to the emphasis on “orthodoxy” in “Reformed orthodoxy.” Sadly, neo-Calvinism shortly after the deaths of Kuyper and Bavinck and up to the present, has bent the knee to liberalism in many areas (but, in an odd turn of events, this book features a chapter from Nicholas Wolterstorff who publicly affirms and advances gay “marriage”)
2. This notion of neo-Calvinism “for the sake of modern life” is correct. More specifically, neo-Calvinism is an application of the faith not just to the after-life (going to heaven when you die), but this lived-earthy-life today where we pray “they Kingdome come, they will be done on earth…”) (see A.A. Van Ruler and Hans Rookmaaker). The problem is, however, many of these academic types, like many of the self-proclaimed-neo-Calvinists and Greeks before them, seem to focus on the ethereal and the abstractions and are quite removed from “modern life.” As a result, most modern neo-Calvinist output is usually in the field of political theory and philosophy (“Reformational Philosophy”). To be sure, Kuyper was a politician more than a Theologian, but, for every page of political output he issued – he also had devotional and day-to-day living type of material (see his 3 volumes “pro Rege” that discuss, in detail, and with specific examples of his day, how to life pro Rege/for the King. Also see his many many mediations like “Honey From the Rock,” “Near Unto God,” “When Thou Sittest in Thine House: Meditations on Home Life,” etc.).
Goal of the Book
We are told on page 1 “This handbook is a genealogical introduction to a lively and modern branch of the Reformed tradition” and that it charts, amongst other things, the “contemporary influence of neo-Calvinism.” Of course, the history of the tradition is helpful, but as Christians, we want to take the good things from the tradition and apply them in our lives for the King and so I look forward to the “contemporary influence of neo-Calvinism.” Page 1 says that “contextualization demands applying the Theology of the scriptures to new demands, questions, and situations.” Therefore, the reader might expect to read in the chapters on CRT, Abortion, Government-Overreach, and, of course, gender and sexuality and the LGBT+ subject that all but dominates media, entertainment, and contemporary life. However, when looking at the “Index” we see “Gender/Sex” are relegated to a mere 3 entries (and that, by no means, means those corresponding pages even touch on the subjects in any real way) (and “Abortion” gets “0”). I am, however, not one bit surprised to see such a pressing subject left out. For, volume editor, Gray Sutanto, the default spokesperson for modern neo-Calvinisim (like it or not), has all but remained silent on the subject. He is a young man and attempting to make a name for himself in the academic world and so perhaps he is just “playing it safe” so he can keep churning out books? I do hope there is some good reason that he has decided not to apply the “neo” in the “neo-Calvinism” to this most pressing of subjects (I mean, heck, Kuyper, over 100 years ago even saw the importance! When he came to America and had his one shot to share his distilled ideas, he made sure to bring the subject of sexuality up when he said “Modernism, which denies and abolishes every difference, cannot rest until it has made woman man and man woman, and, putting every distinction on a common level, kills life by placing it under the ban of uniformity. One type must answer for all, one uniform, one position and one and the same development of life; and whatever goes beyond and above it, is looked upon as an insult to the common consciousness.” – Abraham Kuyper. Lectures on Calvinism pg. 27). CRT, does, however, get identified on being on one page in the “Index.” It is my great joy, though, we do get a chapter on “Race” (but I can’t help but wonder if this will be pandering like the rest of the world is doing now, or if an actual objective and Biblical study on the subject will result). I will say, I was pleased to see a chapter on “Arts” by Robert Covolo and on “Pastoral Ministry” by Tim Keller (though I have low hopes on Keller as he pandered at the end of his pilgrimage and even said homosexuality does not bar one from heaven).
And so, my final word is this, my second ever self-made-meme:
Table of Contents
Introduction: Cory Brock and Nathaniel Gray Sutanto
Part I Theological Loci
1. God and Trinity – Cameron Clausing (Christ College, Sydney, Australia)
2. Creation – Steve Bishop (Thinking Faith Network, Leeds)
3. Sovereignty of God – Henk van den Belt (Free University, Amsterdam)
4. Revelation – Nathaniel Gray Sutanto (Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington D.C.)
5. Scripture – Koert van Bekkum (ETF Leuven)
6. Anthropology – Richard Brash (Christ Bible Seminary, Japan)
7. Common Grace – Cory Brock (St. Columba’s Free Church and Edinburgh Theological Seminary)
8. Christology – Bruce Pass (Australian College of Theology, Australia)
9. Faith and Salvation – Gregory Parker Jr. (Cairn University)
10. Theological Ethics – Jessica Joustra (Redeemer University)
11. Ecclesiology – Michael Wagenman (Western Ontario University)
12. Eschatology – Ad De Bruijne (Kampen Theological University)
Part II Key Figures
13. Groen van Prinsterer – Harry van Dyke (Redeemer University)
14. Abraham Kuyper – James D. Bratt (Calvin University)
15. James Orr – Michelle C. Sanchez (Harvard Divinity School)
16. Herman Bavinck – James Eglinton (University of Edinburgh)
17. Geerhardus Vos – Nathan D. Shannon (Westminster Theological Seminary)
18. Klaas Schilder – Marinus de Jong (Kampen-Utrecht Theological University)
19. D. H. Th. Vollenhoven – Gayle Doornbos (Dordt University)
20. Herman Dooyeweerd – Jonathan Chaplin (Wesley House, Cambridge)
21. Johan Herman Bavinck – Daniel Strange (Crosslands Forum, UK)
22. G.C. Berkouwer – Gijsbert van den Brink (Free University, Amsterdam)
Part III Neo-Calvinism in Historical Perspective
23. Neo-Calvinism and Medieval Theology – Mark Garcia (Greystone Theological Institute)
24. Neo-Calvinism and Reformed Theology – Richard Mouw (Fuller Theological Seminary)
25. Neo-Calvinism and Post-Reformation Reformed Orthodoxy – Israel Guerrero (University of Edinburgh)
26. Neo-Calvinism and the Netherlands – George Harinck (VU, Amsterdam)
27. Neo-Calvinism and Roman-Catholicism – Jennifer Patterson (Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C.)
28. Neo-Calvinism and the Theology of Karl Barth – Shao Kai Tseng (Zheijang University)
29. Neo-Calvinism in North America – Willam Edgar (Westminster Theological Seminary)
30. Neo-Calvinism, Islam, and Other Religions – Alexander Massad (Wheaton College)
Section 4: Neo-Calvinism and its Legacy
31. Public Theology – Matthew Kaemingk (Fuller Theological Seminary)
32. Missiology – Michael W. Goheen (Covenant Theological Seminary)
33. Political Theology – David Koyzis (Global Scholars Canada)
34. World Christianity – Andrew Ong (Christ Church, East Bay)
35. Race – Vincent Bacote (Wheaton College)
36. Continental Philosophy – Christopher Watkin (Monash University)
37. Analytic Philosophy – Nicholas Wolterstorff (Yale University)
38. Science – Abraham Flipse (Free University, Amsterdam)
39. Arts – Robert Covolo (Brehm Center, USA)
40. Pastoral Ministry – Timothy Keller (Redeemer Presbyterian Church, NYC)
Annotated Bibliography: Dmytro Bintsarovskyi (Neo-Calvinism Research Institute, Kampen)
Notes on Contributors
Index