Calvinistic Concept of Culture

An important contribution to the literature on Christianity and culture, this classic work represents the influential Dutch Calvinist theological strand of thinking.

"While a number of good books introducing the basics of a Christian worldview have appeared in recent years, none of them provides the kind of systematic theological background that we find in Van Til's book, with its nuanced exploration of the status of cultural activity in creation, the fall, redemption, and the final consummation of all things. . . . Henry Van Til's Calvinistic Concept of Culture remains an excellent guide for anyone wanting to learn the ways of cultural obedience to the One who claims every square inch of the creation as his own." -From the foreword by Richard J. Mouw

How should a Christian live in a secular world? This classic work looks at the issue of the relationship between religion and culture from a Reformed perspective.

Van Til uses the term culture to designate "that activity of man, the image-bearer of God, by which he fulfills the creation mandate to cultivate the earth, to have dominion over it, and to subdue it." Culture, therefore, is removed from a totally secular context, is placed in the arena of Christian activity and influence, and is constructively viewed from a biblical perspective. The text explores both the historic development and the contemporary implications of the Calvinistic framework of culture and theology.

Henry R. Van Til was professor of Bible at Calvin College. He received his Th.M. from Westminster Theological Seminary and also studied at the Free University of Amsterdam