Forum
The Calvin Theological Seminary Forum is a faculty publication that provides theological leadership for the church through reflection on various themes and issues. It is published three times per year and includes seminary news items. All links below are in pdf format.
- Death and Dying
- From the President (Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.)
- What Happens When We Die? (John W. Cooper)
- "As in Adam..." (Scott Hoezee)
- A Hard Waiting for the Lord (Calvin Van Reken)
- The Fear of Facing Death (Ron Nydam)
- Growing through Grief
- Drawing Near to God in Community: Pastoral Identity Retreat 2010 (Heather Stroobosscher)
- Back to the Basics (Paul De Vries)
- Seminary Starts New Toastmasters Club
- Distinguished Alumni Awards, 2010
- Discipleship
- From the President (Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.)
- The Mystery - and Hard Work - of Discipleship
- Making Disciples, and Disciples in the Making
- Discipleship in the Classroom (Michael J. Williams)
- The Joy of Age- and Ability- Appropriate Obedience (John D. Witvliet)
- CTS Receives Grant Renewal for Facing Your Future Program
- Global Consultation Brings Technology and Bible Study Together
- Chaplains in Chapel
- Korean Alumni Welcome President Plantinga
- Ph.D. Program has Global Impact in 2009
- Christmas from Around the World
- Money
- From The President (Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.)
- Stewards of God’s Kingdom (John W. Cooper)
- The Grace of Giving (Duane Kelderman)
- What’s Right with the Prosperity Gospel? (James K.A. Smith)
- Money and Ministries of Mercy (Kathy Smith)
- Contentment in Uncertainty (Howard Vanderwell)
- CTS Faculty Consults with Educational Leaders
- Pieter Tuit Teaches Us about Money
- CRC Members Hear Our Call for Assistance
- CTS Offers New Certificate Programs
- Students Enter Gateway to Seminary
- Prayer
- Can Prayer Really Change Things? (John W. Cooper)
- God Hears the Prayers of Many (Ron Nydam)
- A School of Lave and Prayer (John Rottman)
- "Amen" (Mary Hulst)
- Praying Around the World
- Third Wave Pentecostalism at CTS
- Distinguished Alumni Awards, 2009
- The Psalms, the Arts, and Worship
- Renewing Teaching and Learning
- The Circle of Ministry (Duane Kelderman)
- Formation for Ministry Isn't Just for Seminarians (David Rylaarsdam)
- Exciting Changes at CTS: Students Reflect on a Year of Transition
- The Self-Reflective Teacher in Christian Ministry (John D. Witvliet)
- The New Master of Divinity Curriculum
- CTS Faculty Listen to Pastors and Church Leaders
- Fall Conferences Become Online Resources for Preachers and Church Leaders
- Baptism
- From the President (Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.)
- Remembering Baptism (Mary S. Hulst)
- Grace Abounding: A Conversation on Baptism
- The Baptism of Babies: What Does the Bible Say? (Wilbert M. Van Dyk)
- Infant Baptism in Our Reformed Confessions (Lyle D. Bierma)
- Challenges of Baptism in a Missionary Setting (David Gifford)
- Summer Seminars Provide Resources and Respite for Preachers and their Families
- Being a Confessional Church
- Why Be a Confessional Church? (Lyle D. Bierma)
- Theology That Sings: A Discussion on the Confessions Today
- With Integrity of Heart and Spirit (Henry De Moor)
- Is It Time for a New Confession? (Kathy Smith)
- Panelists Discuss War Within the Church
- Prize-winning Author Addresses Immigration Issues
- 2008 Alumni Award Recipients
- First "Lord Plantinga’s Cup" Awarded to the "Elders"
- How Was the Sermon?
- How Was the Sermon? (Scott Hoezee)
- Good Preaching Takes Good Elders! (Howard Vanderwell)
- Not at the Door: Thoughts on When and Where to Talk about Sermons (Mary Hulst)
- The Move to Grace (John Rottman)
- CTS Learns about the Belhar Confession (Kathy Smith)
- Speaker Encourages Youth Ministers at CTS
- Todd Farley Speaks at Fall Preaching Conference
- Seminarians Mentor International Peers (Shannon Bernard-Adams)
- Biblical Art Enhances Worship in CTS Chapel
- New Senior Development Officer Joins CTS Staff
- The Work of the Holy Spirit
- The Secret Agent (Cornelius Plantinga)
- The Work of the Holy Spirit (A Faculty Discussion) (Duane Kelderman)
- Bright Wings: The Ever-Moving Spirit (Scott Hoezee)
- The Neo-Pentecostal Movement Encounters the Third Wave (David Holwerda)
- It's Not Even My Fight! (Anne Zaki)
- Seminary Learns from Youth Ministers (Making Connections)
- Seminary Students Receive Huge Boost with $2 Million Gift for Tuition Support (News)
- M.Div. and M.T.S. Programs Reduced to Balance Students' Lives (News)
- Children at the Lord's Supper
- Children at the Lord's Supper and Reformed Theology (Lyle Bierma)
- United, Separated, Re-united: The Story of Baptism and the Lord's Supper (David Rylaarsdam)
- Children at the Lord's Supper and the Key Text of 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (Jeff Weima)
- Children at the Table: Some Provisional Answers to the Practical Questions (John Witvliet)
- Bishop N.T. Wright Leads Seminary on the Sacraments (Continuing Education)
- Professor Avila Earns Second Ph.D Degree (Continuing Education)
- 20th Worship Symposium Brings Glory to God (News)
- 2007 Recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Awards (News)
- Seminary, Sexuality, and Ministry (Formation for Ministry)
- Four Years of Interns in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Delger Paul)
- Unity and Diversity
- God's Deepest Purposes for the Human Family (Duane Kelderman)
- Interview with Esteban Lugo, Director of Race Relations for the Christian Reformed Church (Duane Kelderman)
- The Hispanic Accent in the Christian Reformed Church (Mariano Avila)
- The Blessings and Challenges of Korean Christian Reformed Churches (Jay Shim)
- Reflections of an African American CRC Pastor (Reginald Smith)
- Human Sameness: Cross-Cultural Summer Internships 2006 (Kristy Manion)
- Discerning Your Calling Workshop held at Dordt College (Fiona Baker)
- Wealth and Poverty in Light of the Gospel: How Can Christians Work Together if We Disagree? (Kristy Manion)
- Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? (Continuing Education)
- Fall Conference Inspires Preachers (News)
- Care and Kindness Cross Cultures and Boundaries (News)
- Christmas at CTS from Around the World (News)
- Sin
- Sin (Cornelius Plantinga)
- The Calling of Matthew (Calvin Van Reken)
- Get Rid of Sin in Church (John Rottman)
- The Threads of Guilt and Shame in the Gospel Message (Richard Sytsma)
- Sin and Grace in Pastoral Care Class (Kathy Smith)
- Students are Formed through Ministry Practices (Formation for Ministry)
- New Staff Bring Ministry Experience to CTS (Formation for Ministry)
- Ministry (Duane Kelderman)
- CTS Learns from Urban Pastors (Formation for Ministry)
- Always Reforming
- Reformed and Always Reforming (John Cooper)
- What Happens When People Believe Jesus Is Lord of All? (Duane Kelderman)
- A Student Reflects on his Timothy Institute Experience (Jeff Bulthuis)
- More about the Timothy Institute
- Always Reforming: A Conversation with Brian McLaren
- Preaching the Heidelberg to Postmoderns (Stan Mast)
- New Seminary Club Explores Church Planting (Benjamin Spalink)
- Eugene Peterson Visits CTS for Calvin Symposium on Worship (Continuing Education)
- Winning Author Gives Fireside Chat at CTS (Continuing Education)
- Professor Nydam Visits Indonesian Seminary (News)
- 2006 Recipients for the Distinguished Alumni Awards (News)
- Providence
- Strange Comfort (Mary Hulst)
- The Problem of Evil: The Shipwreck of Faith? (John Cooper)
- The Troubles of the Day: Prayer and Providence in a Broken World (Scott Hoezee)
- When Pain Forms Us (Howard Vanderwell)
- Confessions of a Disciple-in-Training: A Student's Perspective on the New Formation for Ministry Course (Kristy Manion)
- Preaching Still Belongs to the Church (Continuing Education)
- The Chronicles of Narnia at CTS (Continuing Education)
- Author Thomas Lynch Speaks at CTS (News)
- David H. Engelhard--A Believer in Providence (News)
- Evangelism
- Keeping the Front Door Open (Kevin Adams)
- Closing the Back Door (Ron, George Kool, Mossel)
- Come, Follow Me: Using the Bible in Personal Evangelism (Ruth Tucker)
- Giving a Reason for the Faith: Apologetics and Evangelism in Postmodern Culture (John Cooper)
- Reformed Evangelism and the Postmodern Challenge (Pieter Tuit)
- Formation for Ministry at CTS (Making Connections)
- CTS Listens and Learns with Church Planters (Making Connections)
- We Need Each Other (Gary Brouwers)
- The Power of Peer Learning Groups (Kathy Smith)
- Students Reach out to Serve and Learn (News)
- New Faces at CTS (News)
- Worship Space Matters
- Embracing Tensions: The Story of How the Seminary Chapel Renovation Project Became an Occasion for Christian Formation (Duane Kelderman)
- How Space Matters (John Witvliet)
- Questions on Worship Space (John Witvliet)
- Well-Designed Walls Make for Good Christian Worship (Arie Leder)
- Worship Around the World (Emily Brink)
- A House of Prayer for All Nations (Continuing Education)
- Making Connections Online and in Person (Making Connections)
- Soulcare Ministers to Seminary Spouses (News)
- The Timothy Institute Trains Leaders Around the World (News)
- 2005 Recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Awards (News)
- Dealing With Divorce
- The Messiness of Marriage: A Redemptive Theology (Ron Nydam)
- The Christian Reformed Church's Position on Divorce (David Holwerda)
- Keeping Promises Today (John Bolt)
- A Sermon on Mark 10:1-12 (John Rottman)
- The Role of Elders in Marriage and Divorce (Ron Nydam)
- The Council Room (Henry De Moor)
- M. Craig Barnes Leads Fall Preaching Conference (News)
- Christmas Around the World (News)
- Making Connections Initiative (Making Connections)
- Handling the Bible with Care
- Correctly Handling the Word of Truth (2 Tim. 2:15) The Importance of Careful Interpretation of the Bible (Jeff Weima)
- Inviting the Prophets Back to Church (Michael Williams)
- Becoming People of the Book (Lugene Schemper)
- An Unforgetable Chapel. God is Good: The Robe of Salvation (Isaiah 61:10a) (Bob Rudesill)
- Reading the Bible with the Experts (Lugene Schemper)
- Master of Arts in Worship (Preaching and Worship)
- Center for Excellence in Preaching (Preaching and Worship)
- Faculty Appointments (Preaching and Worship)
- Sustaining Pastoral Excellence at CTS (Continuing Education)
- Faculty Learn About Staff Ministry Challenges (Continuing Education)
- 2004-2005 Books of the Quarter Link to Educational Events (News)
- Prayer for the Students (Don Byker)
- Ministry in Cultural Context
- The Holy Restlessness of Contextual Ministry (John Witvliet)
- Faculty Interview: Preparing Students for Ministry in Cultural Context (Lugene Schemper)
- Relating "Cross-Culturally" to Generation Y (Ron Nydam)
- Cross-Cultural Issues in Church Planting (Gary Teja)
- Preaching and Culture (Preaching)
- Symposium Looks at Worship Through Wide-Angle Lens (Continuing Education)
- Prominent Speakers Visit CTS (Continuing Education)
- Pointers for Preaching (News)
- Distinguished Alumni Awards 2004 (News)
- Ministry at the Boundaries
- Can't We All Worship Together: The Ethos of Pluralism (Roger Greenway)
- Reformed on Baptism--Without Apology (Henry De Moor)
- CRC Dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church (Lyle Bierma)
- Grace and Truth--John 1:17b "Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (Dean Deppe)
- Ministry at the Boundaries: An Interview with Chaplain Carl Kammeraad (Lugene Schemper)
- East, West, North, and South Meet at CTS (Richard Sytsma)
- Marital Differences (Ron Nydam)
- Conferences Bring Speakers from Near and Far (Continuing Education)
- New Korean CRC Hosts Leadership Conference (Continuing Education)
- Moving From Division to Unity: Prayers for North and South Korea (News)
- Book of the Quarter Program Explores New Literary Genres (News)
- Leadership
- Christian Leadership (Calvin Van Reken)
- Who Has the Vision? (Duane Kelderman)
- Leadership in the Church--and in the Church Order (Pieter Tuit)
- The Changing Face of Leadership in Korean American Churches (Kathy Smith)
- Reflections on Hispanic Leadership (Mariano Avila)
- Council Room (Henry De Moor)
- Leadership Challenges in Ministry to Rural and Smaller Churches (Continuing Education)
- Continuing Education Office Adds Staff (Continuing Education)
- Preaching and Communication are Focus of Summer Seminars (Continuing Education)
- CTS Receives Two Grants to Sustain Pastors (Continuing Education)
- Plantinga Speaks to Leadership Development Network (News)
- CTS Hosts Forum on Disabilities (News)
- Preaching
- Preaching Christ (Sidney Greidanus)
- Reading for Preaching (Cornelius Plantinga)
- Triple A (AAA) Assurance from Psalm 121 (Carl Bosma)
- From Text to Sermon: Interview with Carl Bosma (Lugene Schemper)
- Who Seeks for a Spring in the Mud? (David Rylaarsdam)
- Would Jesus Drive a Hummer? Reflections on Preaching about Social Issues (John Bolt)
- Four Recent Books on Preaching (John Rottman)
- Preach Leaving; Support Cleaving (Ron Nydam)
- First Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients Named (News)
- CTS Promotes Continuing Education for Preachers (News)
- Choir Encounters Ministry in the Midwest (News)
- The Parsonage Takes Shape at CTS (News)
- How Important is a Seminary Education?
- Is Seminary Education for Pastors Still Necessary? (Duane Kelderman)
- Warning! Seminary May be Hazardous to Your Spiritual Health (John Bolt)
- Interview on Continuing Theological Education (Lugene Schemper)
- Theological Education for Hispanic Pastors (Mariano Avila)
- Catechesis: On Old Method for a New Age (Robert DeVries)
- Sermons on the Web (Lugene Schemper)
- Book of the Quarter Author Visits CTS (Continuing Education)
- Summer Programming Strenthens Preachers (Continuing Education)
- Marriage and Divorce Conference Equips Church Leaders (Continuing Education)
- Japanese Missionary Speaks in Chapel (News)
- New Director of Development Joins the CTS Team (News)
- New Course in Worship Planning (News)
- Forgiveness
- Forgiven--and Forgiving (Ronald Feenstra)
- Forgiving Seventy Times Seven (Ron Nydam)
- Charge to a Young Leader (1 Timothy 6:11-12) (John Stott)
- Prayer for the Students of Calvin Seminary (David Rylaarsdam)
- Council Room (Henry De Moor)
- Celebrations of Gratitude for a New President and New Facilities (Presidential Inauguration)
- Inauguration Continues in California (News)
- Korean CTS Alumni Organize and Sponsor Scholarship (News)
- New Church Development Class (News)
- Books of the Quarter announced for 2002-2003 (News)
- Everyday Spirituality
- A Reformed Perspective on Spirituality: All of Life is the Lord's (John Cooper)
- Hating What is Evil; Clinging to What is Good: The Center of Christian Spirituality (Cornelius Plantinga)
- A Biblical Perspective on Spirituality (Mariano Avila)
- What Makes a Sermon a Good Sermon? (Duane Kelderman)
- New Jersey Conference Celebrates Worship (Continuing Education)
- New Continuing Education Initiatives at Calvin Theological Seminary (Continuing Education)
- How Do People Change? (Ron Nydam)
- We're Listening: Alum News (Henry De Moor)
- CTS Choir Tours Illinois and Wisconsin (News)
- Facing Your Future Program Expands (News)
- "Passage of the Quarter" Will Begin Next Fall (News)
- Ethnic Potluck a Success (News)
- Theological Education: Thoughts from New Leaders
- Now More Than Ever (Cornelius Plantinga)
- Reflections of a Pastor to Prospective Pastors (Duane Kelderman)
- The Christian Reformed Church and Calvin Theological Seminary: A Strategic Partnership (Henry De Moor)
- An Interview with Calvin Hofland, Calvin Theological Seminary's Missionary-in-Residence (Lugene Schemper)
- The Council Room (Henry De Moor)
- Getting to the Other Side of Grief (Robert, Susan DeVries, Zonnebelt-Smeenge)
- Financial challenges test new leaders' philosophy (Kathy Smith)
- Seminary students use new computer room (News)
- Book of the Quarter (News)
- From the World to West Michigan (News)
- A Community Rising (Cornelius Plantinga)
- A New Editor (Lugene Schemper)
- Hispanic Ministry: A Twenty-First Century Challenge (Mariano Avila)
- With Missionary Hearts and Eyes (Pieter Tuit)
- God is Our Refuge (Richard Sytsma)
- Walking Away From Faith (Ruth Tucker)
- Calvin Seminary: Yesterday and Today (Henry Zwannstra)
- Prove it! A Reformed Perspective on Faith and Reason (John Cooper)
- Office and Ordination Another Round (Henry De Moor)
- Real Heros (Calvin Van Reken)
- God Who Called You Is Faithful (Andrew Bandstra)
- Calvin Seminary: An Historical Sketch 1876-2001 (Henry Zwannstra)
- Calvin Seminary and the CRC: Changes and Challenges (Roger Greenway)
- Trends and Challenges (James De Jong)
- Tolerant Inclusivism That Excludes (John Bolt)
- Christianity and the Non-Christian Religions (Henry Zwannstra)
- Christ Reforms Culture: The Gospel and Non-Christian Religions (John Cooper)
- What I Most Want My Students to Know About Biblical Studies (Jeff Weima)
- Discernment in the Kingdom of God (Dean Deppe)
- A One-Week Synod? (Henry De Moor)
- Women in Office: Where we are (Henry Zwaanstra)
- The Changing World of Education For Ministry (Carl Zylstra)
- Compassion At the End of Life (Calvin Van Reken)
- What's Happening in Missions? Changes Underway. (Roger Greenway)
- World Missions (Henry Zwaanstra)
- Magaji Meets Jesus: The Rocky Road to Conversion for a Follower of African Traditional Religion. (Albert Strydhorst)
- The Fiesta in the Philippines (Anne Kwantes)
- God's Love: The Compelling Force of Christian Missions (Carl Bosma)
- Dispensationalism and the Reformed (Lyle Bierma)
- Reflections on the Future (James De Jong)
- The Armageddon Imagination (John Bolt)
- The Church and Y2K (Alton Danks)
- Facing, Not Fearing, the Future (Calvin Van Reken)
- Spirit-Charged Worship (John Witvliet)
- Worship Change: Pain and Promise (Harry Boonstra)
- Praying Our Songs Singing Our Prayers (Emily Brink)
- Church Architecture: Public Profession of Faith (Arie Leder)
- Focussed on What? (David Holwerda)
- The Language of Faith (Robert DeVries)
- The Church and Culture: a Matter of Yes and No (Henry Zwaanstra)
- The Modern Reader and the Ancient World of the Bible (Jeff Weima)
- The Christian Reformed Church and World Cultures (Gary Bekker)
- Missions & The Mission of the Christian School (John Bolt)
- Christian Education in the Christian Reformed Church (Henry Zwaanstra)
- Christian Education: the old vision for a new community (John Cooper)
- Why Christian College Education Matters (Cornelius Plantinga)
- We Will, God Helping Us! (Milton Kuyers)
- Christian and Reformed (Calvin Van Reken)
- Being Reformed (Henry Zwaanstra)
- What Makes Reformed Theology Distinctive? (Ronald Feenstra)
- Truth Within Four Walls (Henry De Moor)
- The Worship Service (Jacob Eppinga)
- What in Heaven is Going On? (Andrew Bandstra)
- Holwerda Retires--Zwaanstra Named Editor (Henry Zwaanstra)
- That Congregational Prayer (Robert Recker)
- What I Most Want my Students to Know About Missions (Roger Greenway)
