Notes on Dutch Neoc Calvinism

Introduction to Neoc Calvinism

• Dutch Neo Calvinism leads by Abraham Kuyper.
• Dominating principle: sovereignty of the Triune God over the cosmos, rather than theological justification by faith.
• Series of videos on Herman Bavinck and his work in Reformed Dogmatics.

Content Overview

1. Introduction to Herman Bavinck
   • Bavinck's education and impact on Dutch Neoc Calvinism.
   • Relationship between Orthodox Christianity, Reformed faith, and modern culture.
2. Christians and Culture
   • Two extremes in Christian engagement with culture.
   • "What hath Athens to do with Jerusalem?"
     • Concern of blending Greek philosophy with Christianity.
   • "Plundering the Egyptians"
     • Taking cultural resources and using them for God’s glory.
3. Themes of Neoc Calvinism
   • Importance of God's sovereignty in all areas of life.
   • Four derived doctrines/principles:
     1. Doctrine of common grace
     2. Sphere sovereignty
     3. Distinction between church as institute and organism
     4. Spiritual antithesis
4. Bavinck's Theological Focus
   • Focus on how grace restores nature and its implications for culture.

Bavinck's Background

• Studied at Kampen Theological Seminary and the University of Leiden.
• Acknowledged tension between Orthodox Theology and modern thought.
• Critical of both extremes:
  • Christians withdrawing from the world.
  • Christians becoming overly assimilated to culture.

Neoc Calvinism Overview

• A Short Summary
  • Flavor of Calvinism contextualized for modernity.
  • Emphasizes God’s sovereignty over every life area.
  • Distinction from New Calvinism and Hyper Calvinism.

Three Neoc Calvinist Instincts

1. Ancient yet Modern
   • Importance of balancing Orthodoxy and modern thought.
2. Resting on Revelation
   • Theological understanding shaped by God’s revelation.
3. Committed to Catholicity
   • Christianity transcends time and culture.

16 Theses of Neoc Calvinism

1. Critical reception of reformed Orthodoxy.
2. Christianity's ability to challenge cultural philosophies.
3. Rejection of negative conservatism and progressivism.
4. Creation as a living unity with purpose.
5. Organic unity reflects the Triune God.
6. Humanity as the pinnacle of creation.
7. Sin is an ethical issue rather than ontological.
8. Regeneration into a new humanity under Christ.
9. Common grace restrains sin and provides moral goods.
10. The Bible as ultimate revelation.
11. God's revelation is foundational for understanding life.
12. Wisdom points to a Christian worldview.
13. All of life is under Christ’s lordship.
14. Recreation by Divine agency alone.
15. Jesus Christ's dominion as purpose of redemption.
16. Visible Church as institute and organism.

Questions Addressed by Neoc Calvinism

• How to translate past theologies into contemporary contexts.
• Accommodating scientific findings without compromising theology.
• Showing the relevance of the Christian faith today.

Tim Keller Quote

• Emphasizes the importance of understanding and applying faith in vocational fields.
• Need for equipping Christians to demonstrate the implications of the gospel in all life areas.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to engage with Neoc Calvinism and its role in understanding modern faith and culture.