While I cannot fully agree with all his conclusions, Kruger
is certainly on the right track and once again displays considerable wisdom in
how he addresses the issue. He gets the answer right even if he's unwilling to
put it as strongly as I would. In the final analysis, America is not a Christian nation.
The Reformed spectrum is fairly broad and yet undoubtedly
Kruger is part of a minority. This branch (if we want to call it that) of Reformed
thought is uniquely American and definitely represents a more contemporary way
of thinking. While that is often a cause for concern, in this case it's not.
Though new in their circles, the shift in thinking with regard to Constantine
and Sacralism definitely represent a move closer to New Testament teaching.
I say all this not sure where he's at in terms of Abraham Kuyper
and the doctrine of Sphere Sovereignty. Many such criticisms of 'Christian
America' are quickly canceled out by an adherence to that particular Dutch
error.
Nevertheless I find myself appreciative of much that Kruger
has to say. He's doing so good work in other areas as well. This piece was a
refreshing read.
He sounds sort of like Michael Horton, but I don't much about him.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he fits under new evaluations of Kuyper that are emerging from places like Calvin College. Unlike popularization by Schaefer, many of them read Kuyper from a Leftist and/or Socialist position, while comfortable with gains of post-modern philosophy (Derrida, Levinas, Gadamer et al.). I'm thinking of figures like James KA Smith & Kevin Vanhoozer who are trying to bend Dutch Reformed philosophy away from Van Till's interpretation. I guess it's a kind of resourcement of Bavinck and Kuyper.
I'm curious if you know much about any of this? I'm requesting your input on it.