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Engaging and challenging.
Kuyper writes about the subject of common grace, specifically applied to the subjects of science and art. I appreciated the recognition that both of these topics are foundational to God's creation and that, even if Adam and Eve had never sinned in the Garden of Eden, we would still study science and produce art - albeit quite differently than we do now. Also, Kuyper argues convincingly that these subjects are both a blessing to the world by means of God's common grace and only truly understood through the lens of Scripture for the purpose of revealing God and worshiping Him. Any other approach to these two subjects, while still able to portray truth about God and His world, still falls short of God's original design for them. Several passages were strange to read because, as Kuyper is only a man, his discussion of people's in Africa and other developing countries contradicts his own stated view of human dignity and the value of human life. Still other passages were downright scary to read because of how prescient they were - accurately predicting what happens when science or art are idolized and abused and the breakdowns in society to which those abuses can inevitably lead.
Recommended reading for any Christian wanting to grow in the ability to recognize God's common grace in the world and think critically about how to engage a secular world of art and science from a Biblical worldview.
Kuyper writes about the subject of common grace, specifically applied to the subjects of science and art. I appreciated the recognition that both of these topics are foundational to God's creation and that, even if Adam and Eve had never sinned in the Garden of Eden, we would still study science and produce art - albeit quite differently than we do now. Also, Kuyper argues convincingly that these subjects are both a blessing to the world by means of God's common grace and only truly understood through the lens of Scripture for the purpose of revealing God and worshiping Him. Any other approach to these two subjects, while still able to portray truth about God and His world, still falls short of God's original design for them. Several passages were strange to read because, as Kuyper is only a man, his discussion of people's in Africa and other developing countries contradicts his own stated view of human dignity and the value of human life. Still other passages were downright scary to read because of how prescient they were - accurately predicting what happens when science or art are idolized and abused and the breakdowns in society to which those abuses can inevitably lead.
Recommended reading for any Christian wanting to grow in the ability to recognize God's common grace in the world and think critically about how to engage a secular world of art and science from a Biblical worldview.
This book was lots of fun. I read a little bit of Kuyper earlier this year, but I think that this book really captures some of the spirit missing in some previous things I read. What Kuyper says about science, art, and common grace essentially sums up what I've felt for a long time but never had the words to say. Since "Christ ennobles all of life", things like art and science are to be received as good gifts, not things that are competing against God.
Granted, Kuyper says some extremely awkward things, particularly on race (e.g. on beauty he writes "the Arab attracts with his beautiful form, we Dutch are rather ordinary in appearance, while some primitive tribesman arouse a sense of aversion." Yikes!!) his overall perspective cannot be minimized.
Also, from a sheer publication standpoint, this book was done with much excellence. The tree/skyline juxtaposition at the beginning of the chapter was very cool and reflected the content of the book well.
Granted, Kuyper says some extremely awkward things, particularly on race (e.g. on beauty he writes "the Arab attracts with his beautiful form, we Dutch are rather ordinary in appearance, while some primitive tribesman arouse a sense of aversion." Yikes!!) his overall perspective cannot be minimized.
Also, from a sheer publication standpoint, this book was done with much excellence. The tree/skyline juxtaposition at the beginning of the chapter was very cool and reflected the content of the book well.