“Abraham Kuyper Collected Works in Public Theology” is a project that is created by the Abraham Kuyper Translation Society in partnership with the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty. This collection consists of 12 separate volumes, all of which are published by Lexham Press. This series includes a translation of Kuyper’s three-volume work Common Grace. This review is of volume 3 of Common Grace: God’s Gifts for a Fallen World.
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Many have heard of Abraham Kuyper’s famous saying, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!’” which comes from his inaugural speech at the dedication of the Free University. This volume on common grace, however, helps the reader to practically see how that saying applies to different areas of life.
There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!’
Abraham Kuyper
Common Grace (Volume 3): God’s Gifts for a Fallen World
Common Grace (Volume 3) consists of 71 chapters and 650 pages packed full of incredible teaching from Kuyper! This volume focuses on the ways in which God expresses His grace to all, those who are saved and unsaved. Kuyper provides guidance in the following areas:
- Government
- Church and State
- The Family
- Upbringing
- Society
- Science
- Art
About the Author: Abraham Kuyper
Abraham Kuyper was an absolutely brilliant man. He was an incredible theologian and politician (he served as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1901-1905). This book will speak volumes to our day and age in which there is so much confusion about the above topics. Kuyper writes a public theology that is rooted in humanity post-fall.
Benefits of Common Grace (Volume 3)
I was pleasantly surprised by how easy Kuyper’s writing is to understand. I expected this book to be fairly difficult to understand, but that wasn’t the case at all! Perhaps this is in part due to the good work of the translators (Nelson Kloosterman and Ed van der Maas).
Though this is a very big book, it isn’t intimidating at all once you dive in and begin reading. This book is rich in theology (Kuyper is Dutch Reformed, so you are sure to enjoy seeing his covenant theology fill the pages), wisdom, application, and understanding of the connection between the Gospel and life in this world. Every chapter begins with a verse from God’s Word, and though Kuyper doesn’t engage in exegesis too often, the entire chapter is built upon the truths of the passage that is provided at the beginning of the chapter.
Conclusion
I highly recommend this volume to all leaders within the church and Christians in general. This entire series (and this volume particularly) is sure to be a blessing to the reader, and I believe it will help in living for God’s glory in a world where we can see God’s common grace all around us.
Tolle lege, take up and read!
Disclaimer: My thanks to Lexham Press for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Matt became a joyful follower of Jesus at the age of 21. He is very grateful to be a husband to Lindsey, and a father to four boys. He is an ordained minister (teaching elder) in the PCA. He previously served as a pastor of biblical counseling and is currently a corporate chaplain in southern Delaware. Matt received his Master of Divinity degree in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and holds an advanced certification in biblical counseling from the Association of Biblical Counselors. In his free time, he loves playing with his boys, traveling with his wife, and reading (and buying!) books.
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