Philosophy

A distinctive of the Kuyperian tradition is its stress on the importance of philosophy and, in particular, of Christian philosophy. Paideia shares this concern fully! Several fellows with major philosophical expertise are associated with Paideia, namely Elaine Botha and Calvin Seerveld (aesthetics). Seerveld’s multi-volume Works are in the process of being prepared for publication by Dordt College Press, an event which we keenly anticipate. We also have doctoral students doing research in philosophy.

Craig Bartholomew has written extensively on hermeneutics and he and Michael Goheen’s forthcoming book with Baker Academic is entitled Christian Philosophy: A Systematic and Narrative Introduction. This is a stand-alone book but also a companion to Drama of Scripture and Living at the Crossroads: An Introduction to Worldview. While “worldview” is not yet philosophy, we work within the Kuyperian model that a Christian worldview can and should yield a Christian philosophy. Recent decades have witnessed a remarkable renaissance of Christian philosophy, led by luminaries such as C. Stephen Evans, Alvin Plantinga and Nicholas Wolterstorff. There is also the more continental tradition of Reformation philosophy initiated by Herman Dooyeweerd, in which we have a vested interest.