Abraham Kuyper

Date of Birth: October 29, 1837

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: November 8, 1920

Biography

Abraham Kuyper was a Dutch Reformed theologian, politician, and journalist who played a significant role in shaping modern Christian thought and Dutch political life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Maassluis, Netherlands, Kuyper was a polymath who excelled in various fields, including theology, journalism, and politics. He founded the Anti-Revolutionary Party (ARP), which was the first organized political party in the Netherlands, and served as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1901 to 1905. Kuyper was a prolific writer and influential public speaker who established the Free University of Amsterdam in 1880, where he served as a professor of theology. His theological work emphasized the sovereignty of God over all aspects of life, a principle he termed “sphere sovereignty.” This concept profoundly influenced both religious and secular life in the Netherlands and beyond. Aside from his theological and political endeavors, Kuyper was also a newspaper editor and established the daily newspaper “De Standaard” in 1872, which became a mouthpiece for his political and theological ideas. His works and thoughts continue to influence Reformed theology and Christian democratic political movements worldwide.

5 Interesting Facts about Abraham Kuyper

1. Abraham Kuyper founded the Free University of Amsterdam in 1880, which remains a prominent institution for higher education.

2. He coined the term “sphere sovereignty,” a foundational concept in his theological and political thought.

3. Kuyper served as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1901 to 1905.

4. He was a prolific journalist and established the influential newspaper “De Standaard.”

5. Kuyper was a leader in the Doleantie, a significant split in the Dutch Reformed Church in 1886.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Abraham Kuyper

1. “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine!’”

2. “When principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then battle is your calling, and peace has become sin.”

3. “He is your friend who pushes you nearer to God.”

4. “In the midst of the world, in the midst of the turmoil and the noise, there is a quiet place of rest.”

5. “The church lives by the power of the Spirit and not by the might of the world.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

There is no substantial information regarding Abraham Kuyper’s net worth. As a theologian, politician, and academic, his wealth would have been modest by contemporary standards.

Children

Abraham Kuyper married Johanna Hendrika Schaay in 1863, and they had eight children together. His children included Herman Kuyper, who followed in his father’s footsteps in academia, and Henriette Kuyper, who became known for her work in social causes.