SUMMARY:

Abraham Kuyper once pointed out that “Calvinism is an all-embracing system of principles... It is rooted in a form of religion which was peculiarly its own, and form that specific religious consciousness there was developed first a particular theology, then a special church-order, and then a given form for political and social life.”  In this episode we talk with Levi Minderhoud about Christian political involvement and how Abraham Kuyper’s thoughts ought to inform our efforts to bring God’s principles into political life.

GUEST INFORMATION:

Levi Minderhoud joined the staff of the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada in June of 2019 as ARPA’s first British Columbia Manager. He is dedicated to raising the political activity and knowledge of Reformed Christians in British Columbia, bringing a Christian worldview to members of the British Columbia legislature, and developing public policy from a Christian perspective.

Prior to joining ARPA on a full-time basis, Levi already had political and policy experience elsewhere. He has a bachelor’s degree from Dordt University in political science, business, and economics and a Master’s of Public Policy degree from Simon Fraser University. He interned with a Member of Parliament (the late MP Mark Warawa) and within a federal department (Transport Canada). He also assisted in leading a local ARPA chapter (ARPA Fraser Valley East).

Levi and his wife Jillian currently live in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

You can find out more about his work at ARPA here: https://arpacanada.ca/

QUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ASKS:

• The church and the state should be separate, so only use logic and natural law when trying to make laws.
• Christians should not try to legislate morality.
• It is a fool’s errand to try to influence policy and laws when only the gospel will change someone’s heart.  In other words, if laws and politics can only affect outward behavior, then isn’t it better for Christians to focus on the gospel?
• Abraham Kuyper helped develop the idea of sphere sovereignty. He was a theologian, but at the same time, he founded a political party. One criticism of Kuyper’s approach is that the political party that he established did not last (God’s promises are to the church, not to political parties). What can we learn from Kuyper’s view of Christianity and politics?
• Does God want Christians to be involved in politics and in making laws?
• Practically, we go about doing political engagement? How do we tangibly go about the work of rebuilding the foundations

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INTEREST:

• Catechisms
  • The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality - Christopher Gordon
  • The Liberty Catechism - Douglas Wilson
  • Catechism on Government - Toby Sumpter
• Kuyper Foundation

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

"Music by Kabbalistic Village" and link to my website - kabbalisticvillage.com/