David VanDrunen
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David M. VanDrunen (born December 21, 1971) is the Robert B. Strimple Professor of
Systematic Theology Systematic theology, or systematics, is a discipline of Christian theology that formulates an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the doctrines of the Christian faith. It addresses issues such as what the Bible teaches about certain topics ...
and
Christian Ethics Christian ethics, also known as moral theology, is a multi-faceted ethical system. It is a Virtue ethics, virtue ethic, which focuses on building moral character, and a Deontological ethics, deontological ethic which emphasizes duty according ...
at Westminster Seminary California. VanDrunen was the 2004 recipient of the Acton Institute's Novak Award, a visiting fellow at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at
Emory University Emory University is a private university, private research university in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It was founded in 1836 as Emory College by the Methodist Episcopal Church and named in honor of Methodist bishop John Emory. Its main campu ...
in 2009, and a Henry Luce III Fellow in Theology for the 2016–2017 academic year. VanDrunen received a B.A. from
Calvin College Calvin University, formerly Calvin College, is a private Christian university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1876, Calvin University is an educational institution of the Christian Reformed Church and stands in the Reforme ...
, an M.Div. from Westminster Seminary California, a Th.M. from
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) is the divinity school of Trinity International University, an evangelical Christian university headquartered in Bannockburn, Illinois. The divinity school was founded in 1897. In April 2025, Trinit ...
, a J.D. from
Northwestern University Northwestern University (NU) is a Private university, private research university in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1851 to serve the historic Northwest Territory, it is the oldest University charter, chartered university in ...
, and a Ph.D. from
Loyola University Chicago Loyola University Chicago (Loyola or LUC) is a Private university, private Society of Jesus, Jesuit research university in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1870 by the Society of Jesus, Loyola is one of the largest Catholic Church, ...
. He is an ordained minister in the
Orthodox Presbyterian Church The Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) is a confessional Presbyterian denomination located primarily in the United States, with additional congregations in Canada, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. It was founded by conservative members of the Presbyte ...
and a voluntarily inactive licensed attorney in the state of
Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...
. VanDrunen's work focuses on
natural law Natural law (, ) is a Philosophy, philosophical and legal theory that posits the existence of a set of inherent laws derived from nature and universal moral principles, which are discoverable through reason. In ethics, natural law theory asserts ...
and the
doctrine of the two kingdoms The two kingdoms doctrine is a Protestant Christian theological concept that divides God's rule into two realms: the spiritual kingdom, where God governs through the gospel and the Church, and the earthly kingdom, where God governs through law ...
. His
Reformed Reform is beneficial change. Reform, reformed or reforming may also refer to: Media * ''Reform'' (album), a 2011 album by Jane Zhang * Reform (band), a Swedish jazz fusion group * ''Reform'' (magazine), a Christian magazine Places * Reform, Al ...
political theology Political theology is a term which has been used in discussion of the ways in which Theology, theological concepts or ways of thinking relate to politics. The term is often used to denote religious thought about political principled questions. Scho ...
develops the traditional doctrine of the two kingdoms by grounding it in the divine administration of common grace under the Noahic covenant. In the late 2010s, his work has focused on developing the connection between the natural law and the law of Christ.


Publications

*''Law and Custom: The Thought of Thomas Aquinas and the Future of the Common Law'' (2003) * ''The Pattern Of Sound Doctrine: Systematic Theology At The Westminster Seminaries: Essays in Honor of Robert B. Strimple'' (2004, edited) * ''A Biblical Case for Natural Law'' (2006) * ''Bioethics and the Christian Life'' (2009) * ''Natural Law and the Two Kingdoms'' (2010) * ''Living in God's Two Kingdoms: A Biblical Vision for Christianity and Culture'' (2010) * ''Law and the Bible: Justice, Mercy and Legal Institutions'' (2013, edited with Robert F. Cochran, Jr.) * ''Divine Covenants and Moral Order: A Biblical Theology of Natural Law'' (2014) * ''God's Glory Alone: The Majestic Heart of Christian Faith and Life'' (2015) * ''Aquinas Among the Protestants'' (2017, edited with Manfred Svensson) * ''Politics After Christendom'' (2020) * ''Natural Law: A Short Companion'' (2023)


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vandrunen, David 1971 births Living people Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law alumni Orthodox Presbyterian Church ministers Westminster Seminary California faculty Calvin University alumni Westminster Seminary California alumni Loyola University Chicago alumni Political theologians