Grace in Common Kuyper on Calvinism and Science
Mar 17, 2025
The discussion dives into the fascinating compatibility of Calvinism and scientific inquiry, highlighting historical examples from the Dutch Golden Age. It reassesses the Middle Ages, showcasing scientific advancements through tools like the astrolabe. The podcast contrasts Cardinal Borromeo's compassion with Calvin's focus on hygiene during plague outbreaks. It explores the doctrine of common grace and its implications for morality and the pursuit of knowledge, advocating for a harmonious relationship between faith and science.
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Calvinism Encourages Science Desire
- Kuyper argues Calvinism fosters a desire for science, illustrated by Leiden founding a university after its siege.
- This counters the narrative that religion opposes scientific curiosity and highlights Calvinism's role in early Dutch scientific advancements.
Calvinism Explains Science Desire
- Kuyper defines science broadly as the search for unified understanding of reality.
- Calvinism explains why humans desire to know the universe as God's creation, bridging theology and empirical inquiry.
Empirical Science and Predestination
- Kuyper links the empirical stability of nature to the theological concept of predestination.
- The orderly sciences suggest a unified cosmos governed by God's decree, supporting Calvinist views.
