Close Encounters of a Spiritual Kind [Paperback]

Carol Veldman Rudie (Author), Abraham Kuyper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1997

With a sure hand and a passion for preserving the essential Kuyper, James C. Schaap has pared away the complex language of a century-old translation of the original Dutch text "Nabij God te Zijn" (1908) to reveal the heart of Abraham Kuyper's meditations in fresh, vivid words.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Dutch

Product Details

• Paperback: 235 pages
• Publisher: Faith Alive Christian Resources (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1562122541
• ISBN-13: 978-1562122546
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,196,332 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars God first, I am part of the body, June 22, 2007

By 

Philip S Roeda (Cook, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Near Unto God (Paperback)

Near unto God written by Abraham Kuyper paraphrased by James C. Schaap.

This is a devotional originally written by the Dutch theologian and politician Abraham Kuyper. I first heard of Kuyper when reading the October 2002 issue of Tabletalk. In an article written by R.C. Sproul he describes Kuyper's theology as being only bound by God: "all thought must be brought into subjection of the sovereignty of God", "All of culture was to be under God's sovereignty", "One's knowledge is related to God or it ignores Him". This devotional is not full of inspirational stories or tidbits of cleverness. The author does attempt to sell self improvement or spiritual health. Yes the book deals with the Christian walk; obedience to God's Will, proper Christian prayer, perspective on being part of the Christian body, and true godly worship. Yes it is about God and you, but the emphasis is on the plural you; the Christian as part of the body of Christ or the invisible church. He is talking about the communal part of the corporate church, true believers, and God. God is the focal point, I as the individual or the church as a whole clearly is not the priority. My relationship with God only comes into focus when I remember who God is. A great portion of the devotion quotes from the psalms. This work deals with sin, heaven, hell, God's creation, and the characteristics of God. A god centered devotional.

This particular edition of Near unto God is a paraphrased edition. John Devries translated an edition in 1918. John Devries translated several works written by Abraham Kuyper. James C. Schaap wrote Kuyper's work into today's English. Names of some of the historic figures have been changed. I know this because these people came into fame after Devries originally translated the work. Some innovations also postdate the original work. James C. Schaap is a devotional writer. Dr. Hans Boersma a theologian who is a professor at Trinity Western University, who has been appointed to the J.I. Packer chair at Regent college and an author of many theological subjects; published his 680 translation titled to Near unto God in 2005. This abridged edition contains 234 pages long. Below are the endorsements for the book on the book cover.

Abraham Kuyper's meditations - so simple and musical - heal the soul. They are songs in the night, and James Schaap has pitched them perfectly for a contemporary audience."
- CORNELIUS PLANTINGA,JR.
author of Not the Way It's Supposed to Be

''Abraham Kuyper's spiritual classic has long been a beloved guide into the presence of the Lord of the universe. Now James Schaap has blessed us all by deftly transposing it into the modern world. What a splendid gift!"
- LE\VIS B. SMEDES
author of The Art of Forgiving

"Theologian, statesman, dynamo founder of schools and churches, tireless newspaper editor - for Abraham Kuyper himself, however, something else was most important, namely the sinner's relationship to a loving God. These profound meditations, expertly modernized by James C. Schaap, allow Kuyper's own first things the priority they deserve." -MARKNOLL
author of The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind

With a sure hand and a passion for preserving the essential Kuyper,.-James C. Schaap has pared away the complex language of a century-old translation to reveal the heart of Kuyper's meditations in fresh, vivid words . . James C. Schaap is a professor of literature at Dordt College in Sioux center. Iowa, and the author of many novels, short stories, and devotional :books for young people.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drawing near to God, July 7, 2011

By 

Jeremy Chen (Princeton, NJ) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Near Unto God (Paperback)

A very intimate set of contemplative devotionals coming from a man who is known for his concern with the outworkings of Christian faith in the public square.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Kuyper translation., March 23, 2009

By 

Deborah A. Wingerter (Zionsville, Indiana) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Near Unto God (Paperback)

James Schaap does an excellent job with Abraham Kuyper's Near Unto God. It is a great book to use as a daily devotional or just to read while traveling. I would also recommend Schaap's novel, Romey's Place. It's a great coming of age novel with a subtle Christian message.