“Father Abraham…had many sons; many sons had father Abraham.”
This, of course, is true of Abram of Ur as the children’s song intends. However, it is also true these days of Abraham Kuyper. Once a man relatively unknown outside of (Dutch) 
Reformed circles, Abraham Kuyper is now claimed by many people – from a whole range of theological persuasions – as their theological “father.”
There are certain “Kuyperian” phrases or emphases that have made their way into common evangelical parlance. Words and ideas like worldview, creation-fall-redemption-consummation, cultural mandate, and sphere sovereignty – although not restricted to Kuyperianism – have a history in Abraham Kuyper.
I mention these things because I’ve begun a short little introduction to Kuyper written by Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Seminary. The book, Abraham Kuyper: A Short and Personal Introduction, is a brief sketch of some of the main themes of Kuyper’s thought. (For an extended review of the book, check out the always thoughtful folks at “Hearts and Minds” books.)
In the next two weeks, I hope to give some thoughts and reflections on the book – largely because on October 15, Dr. Mouw will be in Grand Rapids and will be giving a book talk at Eerdmans bookstore.
To begin, then, here’s a quote from the book that I think is worth reflecting on:
It is important to note that the most widely quoted New Testament verse about the coming of Christ, John 3:16, isn’t just about God’s desire to save individual souls. It certainly includes that, but there is more. The Greek word translated as “world” is cosmos, which is properly understood as referring to the original created order: “For God so loved the cosmos that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” And this is immediately followed by a wonderful piece of assurance in verse 17:that “God did not send the Son into the cosmos to condemn the cosmos, but in order that the cosmos might be saved through him.” (12)
How might that understanding of John 3:16 affect how we understand salvation? How might it affect our posture to the “world?” How might it affect our call to be witnesses of Christ’s salvation in the world?
Maybe, just maybe, that guy who is always holding the John. 3:16 sign at the back of the endzone, is somehow testifying to the fact that God, through Christ, is redeeming even football.
