The Artistic Sphere

While some Christians have embraced the relationship between faith and the arts, the Reformed tradition tends to harbor reservations about the arts. However, among Reformed churches, the Neo-Calvinist tradition-as represented in the work of Abraham Kuyper, Herman Dooyeweerd, Hans Rookmaaker, and others-has consistently demonstrated not just a willingness but a desire to engage with all manner of cultural and artistic expressions. This volume, edited by art scholar Roger Henderson and Marleen Hengelaar-Rookmaaker, the daughter of art historian and cultural critic Hans Rookmaaker, brings together history, philosophy, and theology to consider the relationship between the arts and the Neo-Calvinist tradition. With affirmations including the Lordship of Christ, the cultural mandate, sphere sovereignty, and common grace, the Neo-Calvinist tradition is well-equipped to offer wisdom on the arts to the whole body of Christ.

Marleen Hengelaar-Rookmaaker is the editor-in-chief of ArtWay. She edited the Complete Works of her father, art historian Hans Rookmaaker. She has also published three books in Dutch as well as many articles about popular music, liturgy, and the visual arts in Dutch and English books and magazines. Roger D. Henderson (PhD, Free University) studied philosophy at UC Berkeley before attending the Free University in Amsterdam, where he studied Herman Dooyeweerd's development. He has taught in both Iowa and the Netherlands and now lives in Berkeley, California.