Cultural Mandate

Neo-Calvinism is a Calvinist theological movement that was initiated in the late-19th century in the Netherlands. It was originally developed by theologians like Abraham Kuyper, a former Dutch prime minister, and Herman Bavinck who insisted on holding fast to historic Calvinistic thinking, but with a willingness to actively engage in every new context offered by a modern and pluralistic society. In this regard, Kuyper famously stated:

While Neo-Calvinism originated in the Netherlands, it later found prominence in the United States, initially through Dutch immigrant theologians like Geerhardus Vos and Cornelius Van Til in the 20th century. It has since gained wider appeal in the United States and other countries, such as the United Kingdom and China.

Key Theological Points

Neo-Calvinism has often focused on certain distinctive ways of theological thinking. However, as a theological movement, there is also debate as to how best to understand these topics.

Cultural mandate

The "cultural mandate" is the key Neo-Calvinist view on creation and culture. It was first proposed by Klaas Schilder and is often considered synonymous with Neo-Calvinism. Based on Genesis 1:26–28, God's command to rule and to subdue the earth is understood as a divine mandate to humanity to cultivate and to nurture all creation. Kuyper understood creation as not just about "the beginning," but also its further potential. Therefore, humans are given a cultural mandate to be involved in appreciating creation and order within it, and aiding it to bring about God's glory. This means there is no division between that which is sacred or secular in this world. Humanity is mandated to be involved in the flourishing of all of creation.

Some neo-Calvinists hold that the Cultural Mandate is as important as the Great Commission.

Sphere sovereignty

Abraham Kuyper held the view of sphere sovereignty (''Soevereiniteit in eigen kring''), in which each sphere (or sector) of life has its own distinct responsibilities and authority as designed by Godfor instance, communities dedicated to worship, civil justice, agriculture, family, etc.and no one area of life is sovereign over another. Hence, neither faith-institutions nor an institution of civil justice (that is, the state) should seek totalitarian control or any regulation of human activity outside their limited competence.

Common grace

God providentially sustains the created order, restraining of possible evils and giving non-salvific good gifts to all humanity despite their fall into sin, God's curse, and his eventual condemnation of the unredeemed.

''The antithesis''

There is a struggle in history and within every personbetween submission to and rebellion against God; between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness; between the age to come (already inaugurated in Christ) and this present evil age (of sin).

Key individuals associated with neo-Calvinism

*Abraham Kuyper
* Albert Wolters
* Auguste Lecerf
*Chuck Colson
*Cornelius Van Til
* Cornelius Plantinga
* Craig Bartholomew
* D. H. Th. Vollenhoven
* E. L. Hebden Taylor
* George Marsden
*Gerrit Cornelis Berkouwer
*Guillaume Groen van Prinsterer
* Hans Rookmaaker
* H. Evan Runner
* James K.A. Smith
*Herman Bavinck
*Herman Dooyeweerd
*Klaas Schilder
*Mark Noll
*Nancy Pearcy
* Nathan O. Hatch
*Nicholas Wolterstorff
* Richard Mouw
* Stephanus Jacobus du Toit

Neo-Calvinist institutions and organizations

* Arrowhead Christian Academy in Redlands, California
* Calvin University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
* The Center for Public Justice
* Dordt University, Sioux Center, Iowa, USA
* Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
* Theological University of the Reformed Churches in Kampen, the Netherlands
* Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
* Kuyper College
* Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, United States
* Covenant College, Lookout Mtn, Georgia, United States
* Redeemer University, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
* Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, Illinois, United States

Key texts

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* Sutanto, N. Gray and Brock, Cory C., ''Neo-Calvinism: A Theological Introduction.''
* Plantinga, Cornelius, ''Engaging God's World: A Christian Vision of Faith, Learning, and Living.''
* Goheen, Michael W., and Bartholomew, Craig, ''Living at the Crossroads: An Introduction to Christian Worldview.''

References

Footnotes

Bibliography

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Further reading

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External links

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* – a Neocalvinist commentary.
* – Neo-Calvinist resources.
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* . by Mike Wagenman

{{Christian democracy

Calvinist theology