Lectures on Calvinism

Lectures on Calvinism is a religious work by Dutch Calvinist theologian Abraham Kuyper which argues that Calvinism is not just a theological system, but is in fact a complete world and life view on the order of Islam, Roman Catholicism, and paganism. Kuyper's basic claim is that the Calvinistic system provides a comprehensive life-system, beginning first and foremost with man's relation to God, then proceeding to his relation to fellow men, and finally to his relation to the world. He demonstrates his thesis by outlining the connections between Calvinism and religion, politics, science, and art (each in their own lecture) while touching on a number of other topics along the way. His lecture on politics is particularly helpful as he develops his notion of "sphere sovereignty," the idea that the state is sovereign over its affairs and should not encroach upon the affairs of the religious sphere or the social sphere. Kuyper emphasizes giving God everything, an unflinching service. He explains influence of Calvinism in Protestant countries, concepts of Sovereignty, Liberty underpins or comes from Calvinism. Lectures: Calvinism a Life-system Calvinism and Religion Calvinism and Politics Calvinism and Science Calvinism and Art Calvinism and the Future