"Philosophy, Worship and Art"

PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY
April 10-12, 2014

Abraham Kuyper (1837–1920) — Dutch pastor, theologian, journalist, and politician — was instrumental in the revival of Calvinism as a worldview worthy of practical allegiance and sustained critical reflection. In 1898 he visited Princeton and delivered the Stone Lectures that year, his famous Lectures on Calvinism.

Kuyper was strongly influenced at an early stage by German Idealist philosophy. Though his later thought had a more markedly theological character, philosophical influences continued to show themselves, especially in relation to his views on art and worship. This conference will explore the philosophical frontiers of worship and art, giving special attention to the divergent perspectives that such a theme inevitably involves.

Kuyper Prize Lecture

Dr Nicholas Wolterstorff, Yale University

Conference Plenary I

‘Philosophy’ --- Dr Andrew Chignel, Dept of Philosophy, Cornell University

Conference Plenary II

‘Worship’ --- Dr John D Witvliet, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

Conference Plenary III

‘Art’ --- Dr Lisa DeBoer, Professor of Art, Westmont College

PAPER PROPOSALS are invited. These need not be focussed on Abraham Kuyper, any may be on any aspect of the general theme. Papers selected for inclusion will run concurrently. In addition, each block of concurrent sessions will include a session reserved for a graduate student paper. Graduate Student Awards are available for student presenters to assist with the cost of travel and lodging.

Proposals should take the form of an abstract of not more than 300 words and be submitted as an email attachment to kuyper.center@ptsem.edu by December 1, 2013. Decisions will be announced by early January 2014. All accepted papers will be considered for publication in the Kuyper Center Review Volume 6, to be published in 2016.