Wisdom & Wonder: Common Grace in Science & Art, Abraham Kuyper, edited by Jordan J. Ballor and Stephen J. Grabill, Trans. Nelson D. Kloosterman, Christian’s Library Press, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2011.
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Wisdom & Wonder contains a new translation of chapters written originally under the title Common Grace in Science and Art.
Common Grace refers to God’s preservation and self-revelation within the created order, which is imperfectly but universally available. It is revelation by the creation as well as an invitation to study, understand and enjoy the creation. It is “common†because it is not limited to Christian believers.
I’d like to give a brief account of Kuyper’s perspective on Science and Art – though he discusses a number of other topics. Kuyper states that art and science were given their start and patronized by the church and the state. One sees this in any survey of Art History: the earlier the art, the more likely it was part of worship. Art and Science, though birthed by church and state, possess legitimate and independent domains.
First, then, let us emphasize the independent character of science. Before everything else it must be understood that science is a matter that stands on its own and my not be encumbered with any external chains (33).
Science had its origin in the church as it grew out of the universities, which had their birth in the church. [Read more…] about Book Review: Wisdom & Wonder