Show Notes
In this twenty-second week of “Ordinary” (or “Normal”) time, Case is joined by special guest Gene Berry. Together they reflect on the life of Abraham Kuyper, Dutch theologian in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Nuance’s Formed for Formation is a weekly liturgy to encourage all of us to be faithful to Christ in the public square. Join Case Thorp as he follows the Church calendar through the reading of Scripture, prayer, and short reflections on faith in all facets of public life.
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Episode Transcript
Welcome to the Formed for Faithfulness podcast. My name is Gene Berry, and I’m a friend of the Collaborative. As a responsible citizen, my role in rebuilding trust mirrors the spirit of ordinary time in the Christian calendar, a period of steady and faithful growth. Just as this season emphasizes small, consistent acts of virtue, rebuilding trust requires daily efforts toward integrity, transparency, and accountability. By engaging in honest dialogue and participating in civic activities, I can help restore public trust in institutions. Lord God, come and meet us here.
A reading from Psalm 22:1-15:
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust, but they trusted and you delivered them. To you they cried out and were saved. In you they trusted and were not put to shame. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see me mock me. They hurl insults, shaking their heads. He trusts in the Lord, they say. Let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him, since he delights in him. Yet you brought me out of the womb. You made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. From birth I was cast on you. From my mother’s womb you have been my God. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there’s no one to help. Many bulls surround me, strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Roaring lions, they tear their prey, open their mouths wide against me. I’m poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is turned to wax. It has melted within me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You lay me in the dust of death.
Abraham Kuyper, a Dutch theologian, journalist and statesman, was a pivotal figure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was known for his profound influence on both religious thought and public policy. Kuyper was a key proponent of the concept of sphere sovereignty, which argued that different areas of life, such as church, state, education, and family have distinct responsibilities and should operate independently but harmoniously under God’s authority. This idea led him to establish the Anti-Revolutionary Political Party. They championed the role of Christianity in public life and advocated for a pluralistic society where diverse worldviews could coexist. Kuyper served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1901 to 1905, during which he implemented policies that reflected his belief in the importance of religion and governance. Kuyper’s views on public trust and government institutions were deeply intertwined with his theological beliefs. He maintained that trust in government can only be sustained if those institutions operated within their God-ordained spheres and respected the moral and ethical principles that underpinned a just society. Today, trust is at an all-time low, especially trust in institutions and the institutions of government. According to Kuyper, the government’s legitimacy derives from its adherence to those divine principles, which provide a foundation for justice, equity, and the common good. When governments overreach or neglect these principles, they erode public trust and undermine their own authority.
Certainly in our divided age, many of us see the same sort of trust violation, but sadly, from different starting points. Kuyper’s emphasis on the moral responsibilities of government institutions remains relevant today as ever. The debates will continue about the role of ethics, religion, and pluralism in fostering public trust and ensuring that governments serve citizens well. Thankfully, we know Jesus is supreme and guides our efforts as faithful citizens.
A reading from Amos chapter 5:
Seek the Lord and live, or he will sweep through the tribes of Joseph like a fire. It will devour them, and Bethel will have no one to quench it. There are those who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground.
There are those who hate the one who upholds justice in court and detest the one who tells the truth. You levy a straw tax on the poor and impose a tax on their grain. Therefore, you have built stone mansions. You will not live in them, though you have planted lush vineyards, and you will not drink their wine. For I know how many are your offenses and how great are your sins. There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts. Therefore, the prudent keep quiet in such times, for the times are evil. Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good. Maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.
Would you pray with me?
Almighty God, sovereign over all the nations, we humbly come before you, acknowledging that all authority on earth is established by your hand. We pray for our leaders that they may govern with wisdom, justice, and humility, always mindful that they are servants of you and stewards of the common good. Grant them the courage to uphold righteousness and the discernment to resist the temptations of power. May they seek not their own interests, but the welfare of all, particularly the most vulnerable among us. Guide them in the pursuit of truth, fairness, and peace, that they may lead with integrity and honor, fostering trust among the people they serve. Lord, we ask that you stir in the hearts of all citizens a spirit of responsibility and active participation in the governance of our communities. Help us to hold our leaders accountable, to advocate for justice, and to contribute to the flourishing of society through our own acts and service and love. In all things, may your will be done, and may our government reflect the principles of your kingdom, truth, justice, and mercy.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen.
A reading from Hebrews 4:12-16:
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
