Person

David VanDrunen

Updated November 2026

About David VanDrunen

David VanDrunen is the Robert B. Strimple Professor of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics at Westminster Seminary California (WSC), where he has served since 2001. He is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), known for his contributions to Reformed political theology, particularly the doctrine of the two kingdoms and the biblical theology of natural law.

Academic Career and Education

David VanDrunen received an extensive education, holding five degrees from various institutions. He completed his Bachelor of Arts at Calvin College and earned his Master of Divinity at Westminster Seminary California. He further pursued a Master of Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, followed by a Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law. His academic journey culminated with a Ph.D. from Loyola University Chicago. VanDrunen has been teaching at Westminster Seminary California since 2001 and is currently the Robert B. Strimple Professor of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics as of 2026. He is also an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Major Works and Contributions

Politics after Christendom: Political Theology in a Fractured World (2020) - This book was named the Book of the Year in Politics and Public Life by Christianity Today in 2021.
Divine Covenants and Moral Order: A Biblical Theology of Natural Law - Although the publication year is not specified, this work is pivotal in exploring natural law theology through the biblical covenants, including the Noahic covenant.
Natural Law and the Two Kingdoms: A Study in the Development of Reformed Social Thought - This book examines the development of the two kingdoms doctrine within Reformed theology.
Natural Law: A Short Companion (2023) - A recent publication providing an accessible overview of natural law theory.
Aquinas Among the Protestants (2017, edited with Manfred Svensson) - An edited volume examining the influence of Thomas Aquinas on Protestant thought.

Organizational Affiliations and Public Engagement

VanDrunen is a regular contributor to Credo Magazine and has appeared on the podcast Office Hours discussing his theological insights and ministry experience.
He has delivered numerous lectures and talks, including a presentation on the Reformed doctrine of assurance at Westminster Seminary California in 2026.
His speaking engagements often address themes such as race, religious liberty, and civil resistance, as highlighted in discussions of his book Politics after Christendom.

Theological Stance and Presuppositions

David VanDrunen operates within the Reformed tradition, specifically through his affiliation with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. His work on the two kingdoms doctrine and natural law is relevant to conservative evangelical scholarship, as it seeks to integrate Reformed theological principles with contemporary political and ethical issues.

Impact on Biblical Studies

VanDrunen's scholarship is influential within Reformed and broader evangelical circles, particularly through his articulation of the two kingdoms doctrine and its grounding in the Noahic covenant. His work is frequently cited in discussions on Reformed political theology and natural law, contributing to contemporary debates on the role of Christianity in public life.

Critique and Reception

David VanDrunen's work is highly regarded in Reformed and evangelical contexts. John Frame, reviewing VanDrunen's A Biblical Case for Natural Law, faulted its omission of any significant role for God's supernatural commands, arguing that moral knowledge comes from an organic combination of supernatural and natural revelation.

His publications are primarily found in Reformed and evangelical outlets, such as the Journal of Reformed Theology and the Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics.