Encyclopaedic models in the Kuyperian tradition (part 1: the "fathers")

Abstract

This is the first of a series of three articles exploring in historical order the encyclopaedic models presented in the Kuyperian tradition of scholarship. The role of scientific and pre-scientific frameworks (e.g. world-views, philosophy), the relationships between sciences (e.g. theology and philosophy) and other issues are explored and evaluated in several different models. This article deals with the period of the "fathers" of Kuyperian scholarship. In particular the works of Dooyeweerd, Vollenhoven, Stoker and Van Til will be examined to identify their strong and weak points. My thesis is that, during the period in question, the basic models were proposed, certain problems were identified and attempts were made at providing better accounts of the complex and multiple relationships and influences among frameworks. These attempts were not always successful, yet in many cases they point towards desirable improvements of the Kuyperian model. This article will lay a basis for the discussion of more recent models and for a systematic conclusion in two more contributions to follow