Tota Scriptura: Chapter Outline
July 24, 2025
Recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in Abraham Kuyper as a public theologian, but with Kuyper’s Dictaten Dogmatiek now being translated, there is an exciting opportunity to delve further into Kuyper as a constructive, creative theologian in his own right, working at a dynamic point in history. The retrieval of Kuyper’s work is quickly being tied to partisan debates around the role of faith in public life. This raises the unique question of how Kuyper’s theology is being (mis)used.
Primary Discipline(s): Systematic Theology
Base Community: Staff
Leader: Michael Wagenman
Primary Author(s): Michael Wagenman
Collaborators: George Harinck (Theological University of Utrecht); Dennis Greeson (BibleMesh)
Acknowledgements: tba
Partner Organisations: BibleMesh; Theological University of Utrecht
Funding: Partial (grant) from Abraham Kuyper Christian Leadership Fund
Problem: Much attention has been paid to Abraham Kuyper as a public theologian but with the translation currently being done on his Diktaten Dogmatiek an opportunity exists to investigate “Abraham Kuyper as a theologian” (as a kind of parallel to recent efforts on Herman Bavinck’s theology). This project will examine Abraham Kuyper’s works (mostly in English translation) to discern the shape, scope, context, and content of his dynamic theology.
Process: First, a wide-ranging review of Kuyper’s works to get a sense of his theological method and context. Second, an examination of his newly translated Diktaten Dogmatiek. Third, a comparison with other 20th century Dutch Reformed theologians (like Herman Bavinck).
Aims and Outcomes: To uncover in greater clarity and detail Kuyper as a theologian. To situate Kuyper in the development of 20th century Dutch Reformed theology. To reflect on the contemporary state of theology in dialogue with this major figure. To inspire further examination of Kuyper’s theology.
Production Goals: Publication of a single author book, publication of a multi-author volume, various articles for lay audiences.
Next Meeting: Jan 2026 (not public).
Projected Completion: Spring 2028
Quick Notes: (1) Seeking additional funding
Read about the proposed chapter outline and discussion topics that we plan to address in this book. There are specific areas where community expertise and advice could be especially helpful (see “Collaboration Opportunities”) and this contents page may help to clarify what kind of help we’re after.
KLC has been instrumental in facilitating links with a top publishing outlet, and as a result of the generosity of our academic fellows, who read and interacted with the very lengthy proposal document, their motivations helped to secure a publishing contract.
When the team has a need for help or an area in which collaboration could be beneficial, their requests will be listed here.
Your contributions are greatly appreciated and are integral to our vision of collaborative, interdisciplinary research. We endeavor to acknowledge all the efforts of our collaborators and to give due credit, but note that we can’t guarantee that any contribution will be used in the final product.
Alongside this project, Michael Wagenman is convening an Abraham Kuyper hub. At present, prospective members are being approached privately, but watch this space for more.
If you have something to contribute to the following questions, email your thoughts to tota@kirbylaingcentre.co.uk.
Do you have access to any essential journal articles on evangelicalism, evangelical hermeneutics/theology, the approach to politics/ethics, deconstruction etc. that you could send? I have plenty to read (!) but it would be good to know if there are any recent, must-read pieces on these topics. I do not have ATLA access at present.
While none of us is ever able to speak reliably for whole communities of believers, this research is interested in how evangelicalism is perceived outside of the picture in US media. What does it mean to be an evangelical outside of US conservatism? In other parts of the world? To what degree is your corner of evangelicalism affected by the politicization of US evangelicalism?
At this stage, anecdotal opinions are welcome, but I wouldn’t want anyone to generate fresh research on these topics; it is too early to know to what degree I will be using them. However, if you have existing publications or your own research that you are willing to share, it would be appreciated (and your research would be credited).
This does not intend to drag us all into controversy, but I know that many of us have experienced deeply negative aspects of evangelical theology or practice that either have caused us to leave or to consider leaving evangelicalism (or even Christianity itself).
Most of us rightly choose not to air these grievances publicly because we don’t wish to do reputational damage to the wider kingdom of God. This book likewise is not aimed at causing more harm. However, in the interests of taking seriously that the church may teach or do things that provoke crises of faith, I would like to publish anecdotes that illustrate problems with the modern movement.
If you have a story to tell, it should ideally be something that (a) is at least partly attributable to a feature of evangelicalism (rather than, say, the evil actions of a lone wolf among the sheep); (b) you are willing to have published; and (c) will not expose us to legal action.
When the team produces research components and additional resources that may be of public interest, these will be made available here.
