Neo-Calvinism and the French Revolution

The essays are each high in quality ... [This book is] necessary for one engaged in neo-Calvinistic studies. * Journal of Theological Studies * The book, part of the T&T Clark Theology series, offers an eclectic collection of essays using methods of historical and systematic theology to analyze and apply the interpretations of the French Revolution offered by these neo-Calvinist thinkers. ... [The chapters] address a wide variety of topics. * Reviews in Religion and Theology * [This] book poses - and answers - many fascinating questions. This volume will be of use not only to those with an interest in neo-Calvinism but also the French Revolution and in the secularisation of Europe -- Steve Bishop * An Accidental Blog * These essays offer us profound neo-Calvinist explorations of the deeply anti-Christian roots of the French Revolution. But they give us much more, with marvelous commentaries on film, fashion, literature, political theory and contemporary Islam--to say nothing of some creative perspectives on important issues in basic theology! * Richard Mouw, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA * Does Abraham Kuyper’s claim that the ideas of the French Revolution were the Original Sin of modernity hold up under the careful scrutiny of contemporary historians? The answer, suggested by this uniformly high-quality collection of essays ranging from discussions of uniformity versus multi-linguisticality to the “terror” of French Revolutionary dress and even to French secularity and the Islamic headscarf, is a qualified “yes.” None of the essayists are slavish disciples of the Kuyperian tradition; all treat it sympathetically and mine it for its contemporary relevance. Students of Dutch neo-Calvinism will find this volume stimulating in its exploration of old and new themes and an indispensable resource for applying the valuable insights of this tradition today. * John Bolt, Calvin Theological Seminary, USA * How to reconcile the roots of faith with the potential of modernity? This volume presents fresh and interesting insights into the complicated relationship between calvinism and modern culture. The French Revolution functions as the landmark that launched a plethora of reactions and developments, which were formative for the movement that became known as Neocalvinism. The creative contributions of younger and distinguished scholars show how the questions and answers do not only belong to a distant past, but are vibrant and challenging in our current situation. * Cornelius van der Kooi, VU University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands *