Abraham Kuyper Flashcards
What does the text say about the common perception of Calvin and Calvinism regarding art? (Kuyper)
The text acknowledges the common prejudice that Calvin was personally devoid of the artistic instinct and that Calvinism, demonstrated by its iconoclasm in the Netherlands, is incapable of artistic development or noteworthy art production. The text argues against this prejudice, noting that many significant figures in Christianity, like the apostles, did not explicitly promote art, and that this does not negate Christianity’s significance to the development of art.
What is the text’s response to the idea that a truly independent life-tendency should create its own art style, even if secular? (Kuyper)
The text argues that no all-embracing art style has ever arisen independently of religion. It states that art needs a central motive in the mental and emotional life of a people that is rooted in the infinite, which is the domain of religion. The text further asserts that to demand such a secular style of Calvinism, a movement rooted in the arraignment of all life before God, is illogical.
What does the text say about Calvin’s view of art? (Kuyper)
According to the text, Calvin viewed art as a gift from God, or more specifically, a gift of the Holy Spirit. He grasped the profound effects of art on emotions and believed it should glorify God, ennoble human life, and provide higher pleasures. He also saw art as revealing a higher reality than the sinful, corrupted world offers.
How does the text distinguish between art that imitates nature and art that transcends it? (Kuyper)
The text notes that while observing and listening to nature is crucial, art’s vocation is to discover the order of the beautiful in natural forms and produce a beautiful world that transcends the beauty of nature itself. It asserts that while the imitation of nature may seem ideal to some, art has a mystical task of reminding us of the lost beauty of the world and anticipating the perfect coming glory.
According to the text, what role did Calvinism play in the emancipation of art? (Kuyper)
The text explains that Calvinism released art from the guardianship of the church, recognizing its maturity. The text notes that while the Renaissance had a similar tendency, it was marred by a preference for the Paganistic. Calvinism, on the other hand, firmly adhered to Christian ideas and opposed Paganistic influences. It states that Calvinism broke with the splendor of the church and its possessions, which financially held art in bondage.
What is the significance of “common grace” in the Calvinistic understanding of art? (Kuyper)
The text emphasizes the Calvinistic doctrine of “common grace,” which teaches that artistic gifts are imparted by God to believers and non-believers alike. This means that the highest art instincts are natural gifts that belong to the excellent graces of common grace, and God is sovereign in imparting them to all nations. It notes that even though the sanctuary discloses itself to believers, the unbelieving nations are called to a special vocation in secular history.
