The annual Kuyper Conference, which began in 1998 at Princeton Theological Seminary, was founded to acknowledge the stream of Calvinist thought represented by Abraham Kuyper, Dutch theologian and statesman (1837–1920), and to explore the tradition he helped to form, commonly known as neocalvinism.
Continuing the recent rhythm of the Kuyper Conference moving to different venues every other year (Canada 2023, Indonesia 2025), in 2027 the conference will take place at Soongsil University in Seoul, Korea, hosted by Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary in collaboration with the Christian Ethics Movement of Korea (CEMK). The organizing committee has developed a plan to include 10 curated sessions featuring presentations by Korean scholars with comments from international scholars on a variety of themes, such as politics, economics, education, culture, media, labor and worship, reconciliation, church and family, gender, and the environment.
In addition to these sessions the committee welcomes proposals for short papers and roundtable discussions related to the conference theme as well as topics that engage with aspects of the life and work of Abraham Kuyper, neo-calvinism more broadly, and public theology and public life. A limited number of sessions are open for this general call, and papers from historical as well as interdisciplinary, ecumenical, critical, practical, missional, pastoral, and constructive perspectives are welcome. Proposals for 90-minute short paper sessions (3 presenters) as well as roundtables are also encouraged. In addition to the advancement of scholarship, this conference aims to foster personal and professional networks of scholars, pastors, ministry professionals, civic leaders, and practitioners with interests in Kuyper and neo-calvinism as well as Reformed theology and public life.
One-page proposals should include a proposed paper title or roundtable theme, a brief description of the focus of the presentation (one to three paragraphs), and the presenter’s institutional affiliation and contact information, including email address. Proposals received after the October 15, 2026, deadline will be considered on a space-available basis. Individual paper and/or complete session proposals, as well as questions about the conference, may be sent to: Dr. Jordan J. Ballor (Jordan.ballor@calvin.edu), Kuyper Conference Coordinator.