The Kuyper Prize, established in 1998 and named after Dutch theologian Abraham Kuyper, is awarded each year to a scholar or community leader whose outstanding contribution to their chosen sphere reflects the ideas and values characteristic of the Neo-Calvinist vision of religious engagement in matters of social, political, and cultural significance in one or more of the ‘spheres’ of society. The prize and an annual conference focused on Kuyper's enduring legacy are funded thanks to a generous grant from the late Rimmer and Ruth De Vries.
Kuyper Prize Recipients
- 2023: Makoto Fujimura (pictured above), a world-renowned modern artist, author and speaker, and founder of the International Arts Movement and the Fujimura Institute will receive the 2023 Kuyper Prize. His artistic work expounds on, popularizes, and builds upon Kuyperian theology. He uses the art of kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery (often with precious metals), to take what is shattered and make it whole again--not to return the object to its original state, but to represent an even more beautiful restoration of wholeness. Read more about Fujimura's work and the prize.
- 2022: Ruth Padilla DeBorst, a theologian, missiologist, educator, and storyteller, received the 2022 Kuyper Prize in recognition of her work in theological and missional leadership development in Latin America. Read more about Dr. Padilla DeBorst's wide-ranging work.
- 2021: Rachael Denhollander, a leading voice on the topic of sexual abuse, received the 2021 Kuyper Prize in recognition of her work as an attorney, author, advocate, and educator. Read more about Ms. Denhollander's important work and accomplishments.
- 2020: David Brooks, a longtime New York Times op-ed columnist who writes about politics, culture, and the social sciences. Read more about Mr. Brooks' receipt of the prize.
- 2019: Dr. John M. Perkins, one of the leading evangelical voices to come out of the Civil Rights Movement. Read more about Dr. Perkins' scholarship and achievements.
- 2018: Daniel Bourdanné, general secretary of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES). Read more about Bourdanné’s work and ministry.
