A godless political theory can only be opposed by a godly one. Groen van Prinsterer's (1801-1876) political theory is both Augustinian and simple. The forsaking of the supremacy of God's transcendent moral order in favor of the supremacy of mankind leads-not to freedom-but to arbitrary authority and tyranny. True and reliable knowledge begins with knowledge received from God; without this, man becomes lost in all spheres of knowledge. This includes political knowledge.
Like the rest of Europe, the Netherlands was abandoning the supremacy of God's transcendent moral order in politics. This same secular political theory wreaks havoc in politics today. As a devout Christian statesman, Groen opposed this anti-Christian liberalism with a theory grounded upon God's Word and God's providence in history, a faithful political theory still true today.
Students of neo-Calvinism, Reformed Conservatism, or Christian political philosophy will all alike enjoy the easy prose, rhetorical elegance, and fiery punch delivered by one of Holland's greatest parliamentarians.
