All of life redeemed vol1 (1)

A REFORMATIONAL NEWSLETTER! SUMMER 2011 VOLUME 1 (1)Contours of the Neo-calvinist traditionMIKE GOHEEN AND CRAIG BARTHOLOMEW 10. The implication of the fa& is that the power of sin and evil now radically twists every part of 1.Neo-calvinism begins creation, and while the structures of creation with Christ and this remain good the dis- focus opens up into a torting power of sin full Trinitarian faith. means they have been 2.Christ is rendered to radically misdirected. us truly in Scripture, 11. The Bible tells the story which is fully trust- of restoration centred in worthy as God’s Word. the death and resurrec- 3.Christ stands at the tion of Jesus Christ centre of the biblical which is the recovery of story and the good news God’s originally good he proclaimed is about purposes for the whole the kingdom as the goal of his creation and all of history—God restoring his rule over the whole of human life. of human life and creation. 12. Since God’s restorative4. Since Christ has revealed and accomplished the power is at work in the creation by the Spirit, end of history the Scriptures have a storied shape, and the forces of evil remains at work in the and as such tell the true story of the whole world. creation, neo-calvinism recognises an ultimate5. A central theme in the biblical story is God’s elec- religious conflict in the whole of human life. tion of a people to embody the kingdom, to be a 13. God is at work leading his creation to its destiny preview of the goal of history, and thus to bear of a new heavens and a new earth, and only then witness to Christ’s rule over all of life – this con- will the kingdom finally come. Until then the stitutes mission. church is called to participate in God’s redemp-6. The comprehensive gospel of the kingdom has tive mission—the missio Dei—as witnesses to his been narrowed and consigned to a very minor victory, but since we await the final victory there place within the dominant Western humanist is no room for triumphalism in neo-calvinism. worldview, and this calls for a conscious articulation of a biblical worldview in relation to the cul- tural worldview to enable the church to recover the all-embracing scope of the good news.7. The good news reveals the restoration of the creation from sin, and thus a neo-calvinist worldview insists on a comprehensive and integrated These contours were first presented at the first Paideia understanding of creation, fa& and restoration. Gathers conference.8. The fundamental backdrop of God’s drama of Three of the keynotes from that conference can be found here: restoration is creation and thus neo-calvinism art- ! •! Craig Bartholomew: Carrying the Christ-Light iculates a rich doctrine of creation including its into His World good and dyn-amic creation order and humanity’s ! •! Michael Goheen: Neocalvinism, Mission and place within it. Scholarship: Ongoing Reflections9. History is part of God’s order for creation and ! •! Cal Seerveld: The Import of Biblical Wisdom thus neo-calvinism affirms the historical devel- Literature for a Conception of Artistic Truth opment or differentiation of creation. ! PAGE 1

A REFORMATIONAL NEWSLETTER! SUMMER 2011 VOLUME 1 (1) The Acton In- Dr. Stephen Grabill, director of stitute and programs at the Acton Institute, Kuyper Col- serves as general editor of the pro- lege are col- ject, and he points to the contem- laborating to porary need to understand Kuyper’s bring for the comprehensive and cohesive vision first time to for Christian social engagement. ANNOUNCEMENT English- “There are a host of current at- language audiences a foundational tempts to try to describe how evan- International Conference of the Association for Reformationaltext from the pen of the Dutch gelicals should be at work in the Philosophy in association withtheologian and statesman, Abraham world. Kuyper’s articulation of the the Free University of Amster-Kuyper. Kuyper’s three-volume project of common grace shows dam,work, Common Grace (De gemeene how these efforts must be grounded The Netherlands.gratie) appeared during his tenure in and flow naturally from soundas prime minister in the Nether- doctrine.” Title: Christian Philosophi-lands, from 1901 to 1905. The translation and publication cal Conference 2011These works are based on a series of project will cover a two year period, (CPC2011).newspaper editorials intended to and the three volumes total overequip common citizens and layper- 1,700 pages in the original. Dr. Nel- Theme: “The Future of Crea-sons with the tools they needed to son Kloosterman of Worldview Re- tion Order”.effectively enter public life. The sources International and translatordoctrine of common grace is, as of numerous Dutch texts serves will Date: 16-19 August, 2011.Kuyper puts it, “the root conviction oversee the translation of the texts. For more information: Profes-for all Reformed people.” The completed translation will be sor Gerrit Glas, chairman“If the believer’s God is at work in published by Christian’s Library of the Executive Committee,this world,” says Kuyper, “then in Press, the recently acquired imprint Free University of Amsterdam,this world the believer’s hand must of the Acton Institute. Volume one Faculty of Philosophy and E-take hold of the plow, and the name of Common Grace is scheduled to ducation, Amsterdam, Theof the Lord must be glorified in that appear in the fall of 2012. Netherlands. E-mail:activity as well.” g.glas@vu.nl. Or visit the conference website: www.cpc2011.org. PHILOSOPHY IN THE MAKING The book started life as aD. H. Th. Vo&enhoven and the project to edit Vollenhoven’s Position Paper: Gerrit GlassEmergence of Reformed Philosophy by seminal work the Isagôgè The future of creation orderAnthony Tol Philosophiae a text Vollenhoven was continually changing andDordt College Press, 2010; ISBN revising; there about a dozen978-0-932914-86-6 different versions of the text! This542+vi pp; pbk; US$30 book then traces Vollenhoven’sRecent years have seen a number of thought as it changed and evolved.works by and on Vollenhoven. This This is a welcome addition toby Tony Tol is the result of his PhD the burgeoning interest inpromoted by A. P. Bos from the reformational philosophy.Free University (VU). It looks at Vollenhoven’s work is often densethe development of a neo-calvinist and opaque. Tol has done much ofphilosophy. Tol pays particular the hard work in helping usattention to the part played by understand Vollenhoven and hisVollenhoven in this development. ideas better. http://paper.li/stevebishopuk/reformational! PAGE 2

A REFORMATIONAL NEWSLETTER! SUMMER 2011 VOLUME 1 (1) He draws upon Augustine, Calvin BOOKREVIEWS and Kuyper and makes an excellent case for the virtues and strengths of The Wilderness and the Desert of the Real the Calvinist position. Calvinism he Geoff Hall sees as: a lens that magnifies a per- Upptackka Press sistent theme in the narrative of ISBN 978-0-9568034-0-5 God’s self-revelation: that everything depends on God (p. 14); as an What is Christian art? How does Augustinian renewal movement spirituality and art relate? What within the church catholic (p. 40); as does it mean to be a Christian artist? a "region" of Reformed theology (p. Is it more than painting biblical Letters to a Young Calvinist 44); as a counter to the rampant scenes or painting a sheep in each James K. A. Smith gnosticism that characterises North picture? Brazos Press American evangelicalism (p. 103); its Geoff Hall maintains that it is more an entire "complex" or "world- and than that. In this, the first of four In The Devil Reads Derrida Smith of- life-view" (p. 110). This is a broad books, he looks at the calling of the fers an apologia for writing popular and fully biblical view. Christian artist. A calling that in- works: he sees it as a responsibility There are many introductory books volves desert and wilderness: be- to function as public intellectuals for to Reformed thought, but most are tween the Call and its realisation, the church as "public". This popular dry and dull; this one is full of wit, comes The Wilderness p. 14. In the book does just that - it serves the warmth and wisdom. Buy it, read it wilderness God can create a depth of church; it provides an accessible and and then buy another to give away. erudite introduction to the Re- formed faith in an epistolatory for- mat. He has traveled from Plymouth Brethren to Pentecostal and Re- formed. He knows popular evangelicalism. This book provides, in part, insights from the journey. As one who has traveled to neo-calvinism from tradi- tional anglicanism to free church to house church charismatics I appreciated Smiths helpful advice. As one Isagôgè Philosophiae 1930-1945: character and experience that will unfamiliar with the different streams Tekstkritische uitgave help shape the artists work - and of Reformed in the US I found this a Filosophie in die traditie van de Refor- hopefully move beyond painting helpful and insightful guide. I par- matie sheep in the picture! ticularly appreciated his comments D. H. Th. Vollenhoven Hall is not advocating an interaction on the different Reformed confes- DI. Anthony Tol (editor) of art and spirituality - an icing of sions (Letters XX-XII). He also has VU Uitgeverij, Amsterdam, 2010 spirituality on the cake of art - he is some useful comments about the ISBN 978 90 8659 441 2 seeking a robust integration of spiri- justification debate and Tom Vollenhovens Isagôgè has gone tuality and art, of art and spirituality. Wright. through many versions and transla- Neither is he wanting an art- Thankfully Smith doesnt focus on tions. Tol, as part of his doctoral dis- through-theology approach, as he TULIP, election and predestination - sertation, has assembled here the rightly observes art is not theology not that they arent important issues ultimate critical edition. He has (p 33). - but there are other issues: I have a complied and edited all Vollenho- This is a great brief book; it can be hard time believing that the denial of vens many version to provide the read in less than an hour but will take limited atonement is the most press- definitive text-critical edition in hours to digest and meditate on the ing matter of discipleship right now. Dutch. This is a monumental work. wisdom and insight it contains We should be more worried about All we need now is an English ver- Walmart (p. 91). sion! NOTHING MATTERS BUT THE KINGDOM. BUT BECAUSE OF THE KINGDOM EVERYTHING MATTERS. GORDON SPYKMAN! PAGE 3

A REFORMATIONAL NEWSLETTER! SUMMER 2011 VOLUME 1 (1) Rev. Peter Harris, the founder of A Rocha (Christians in Conservation), began the conference by recounting Forthcoming eventsUPDATES some episodes in the foundation and June 10-11 2011 development of this organisation in WYSOCS Leeds, UK: The sexesRenato Coletto pages added; with: Argentina and Portugal in his fist and the kingdom’ with Mary talk, A Rochas Green Light. Stewart van LeeuwenThe “eclipse” of the object of Prof. Andrew Basden (University of June 15-17 2011research in late-modern philosophy Salford) and Prof Tim Cooper (Not- Trinity College, Bristolof science: causes and possible ‘Readingt the Bible ethically’ tingham Trent University) eachremedies. Tydskrif vir christelike with Craig Bartholomew and spoke about their experiences inwetenskap/Journal for christian Elaine Storkey "green activism", both academicsscholarship, 44(1-2):19-38. July 10-15 2011 having stood as Green Party candi- Darwin, Australia ‘Educating forChristian scholarship within dates and participating in many tough times’reformed circles. Acta academica, 41 other initiatives aimed at protecting August 13 2011(3):16-41. our environment and promoting so- WYSOCS, Leeds, UK: ‘Creation cial justice. Andrew’s talk, Green regained’ Al Wolters and HarryStrategies towards a reformation of Activism with Christ, presented a Van Dykethe theology-based approach to rationale for integrating creation August 14-19 2011christian scholarship. In die Skriflig, care into an interconnected Green Amsterdam: ‘The future of43(2):291-313 Theology. Tim Cooper’s talk, Chris- creation order’ tians in Environmental Dis- Send events information to:2010. Traces of neo-Calvinism in course: Leaders or Followers? allofliferedeemed@gmail.comFrance and Italy. Koers, (Special argued that Christians are too oftenEdition: Essays dedicated to Prof. absent from politics of the environ-B.J. van der Walt: “Scholarship in the ment and that their lifestyles typi-light of the morning star”), 75(1): cally fail to show the distinctive eth- Contributors149-172. ics that could be expected in this MIKE GOHEENJohan van der Hoven pages added; area. Professor of ofwith: Prof. Mike Hulmes talk was pro- vocatively entitled Should Chris- worldview andThe Rise and Development of the tians Be Trying to Stop Climate religiousPhenomenological Movement. Hamilton, Change? Claims that, "The science studies atOntario, ARSS demands X" take so many forms, TrinityHebden Taylor’s bibliography has from changes in lifestyle to techno- Western. He isbeen updated logical innovation, and from new the author of politics to updated ethics, that its A Light to the NationsMike Goheen’s bibliography has clear there are important differencesbeen updated of worldview and its not the science CRAIG BARTHOLOMEWMany of the links to other websites that demands anything of us in itself. Professor ofhave been updated. This led to some thoughts on the philosophy and distinctiveness of Christian views of biblical studies humanity and the earth and on the kind of virtues we should bring to at Redeemer. bear on crises and conflicts. He is author of Finally, Peter Harris returned to a seminal speak on Gospel Fuel for Green commentary of Lights, looking at Christian envi- Ecclesiastes. ronmental distinctives as manifestedTHE GOSPELS GREEN LIGHT in the work of A Rocha projectsReport on WYSOCS event around the world. Pictures of the RICHARDMarch 26 2011 transformation of the Bekaa valley in GUNTONThis day conference explored Chris- Lebanon provided a graphic illustra- Developmenttian environmental activism in the- tion of what faithfulness to Christ asory and practice. Four speakers gave Creator and Lord can look like on officer forstimulating talks in very different WYSOCS, the ground.styles. Richard Gunton Leeds, UK! PAGE 4

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All of life redeemed vol1 (1)

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