speakers list

2007

Thank you for considering Western Theological Seminary in your adult education program.

Our faculty members offer a wide variety of one- to six-session courses in areas of their special interest. You are also invited to work with a professor to design a course that fits your congregation's particular needs.

To schedule a course, contact the faculty member directly at 1-800-392-8554 or 616-392-8555, or fax 616-392-7717.

Please book courses early; schedules fill quickly! 

Carol Bechtel - Professor of Old Testament
Thomas A. Boogaart - Professor of Old Testament
George Brown, Jr. - Professor of Christian Education and Associate Dean
Timothy L. Brown - Henry Bast Professor of Preaching
Donald J. Bruggink - James A.H. Cornell Professor of Historical Theology Emeritus
Steven Chase - Associate Professor of Christian Spirituality
Matthew Floding - Director of Formation for Ministry
Jaco Hamman - Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care
I. John Hesselink - Albertus C. Van Raalte Professor of Systematic Theology Emeritus
George R. Hunsberger - Dean of Journey and Professor of Congregational Mission
Christopher B. Kaiser - Professor of Historical & Systematic Theology
Paul M. Smith - Director of Beardslee Library & Associate Professor of Theological Bibliography
David Stubbs - Assistant Professor of Ethics and Theology
Leanne Van Dyk - Professor of Reformed Theology
Robert E. Van Voorst - Professor of New Testament
Dennis N. Voskuil - President and Professor of Church History

  Carol Bechtel - Professor of Old Testament
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty: A Study of the Book of Ruth 2-4 sessions
For Such a Time as This: A Study of the Book of Esther 3-4 sessions
Hallelujah! The Bible and Handel's Messiah (Advent) 4 sessions - (Lent) 6 sessions
Sowing Tears; Reaping Joy: The Bible and Brahm's Requiem 6-7 sessions
Mountains and Valleys: Psalms for Life 1-6 sessions
What are We Doing Here? Worship in a Reformed Context 4 sessions
Struggles of Faith: The Book of Job March 10
Grades for Winter Semester Available 3-5 sessions
Back To Top

Thomas A. Boogaart - Professor of Old Testament
Angel Prophets and Other Messengers From God Length of Events negotiable
Fire, Lions and the Fingers of a Hand: The Story of Sovereignty in the Book of Daniel Length of Events negotiable
Does Job Hear God for Nothing? Suffering Before God Length of Events negotiable
Recovering the Bible as a Spiritual Resource Length of Events negotiable
Back To Top

George Brown, Jr. - Professor of Christian Education and Associate Dean
Praying the Psalms 3-5 sessions
Listen To Your Life 3-5 sessions
The Spirituality of Henri Nouwen 3 sessions
Contemporary Guides for Our Faith Journey 3 sessions
An Introduction to Liberation Theology 3 sessions
Whitewater Rafting in the Church 4 sessions
Learning Styles for Church School Teachers 3 hours
Teaching with Multiple Intelligences 2 hours
Back To Top

Timothy L. Brown - Henry Bast Professor of Preaching
Due to Tim Brown's preaching schedule, he is not available for adult education classes. unavilable at this time
Back To Top

Donald J. Bruggink (Emeritus) - James A.H. Cornell Professor of Historical Theology
The Faith of the Early Christians (illustrated) 1 session
From Persecution to Privilege (illustrated) 3-6 sessions
The Church in Russia (illustrated) 2-6 sessions
Architecture and Worship (illustrated) 2-6 sessions
The Reformation of Worship (illustrated) 2-6 sessions
Back To Top


Matthew Floding - Director of Formation for Ministry
Life with God: Practicing the Art of Theological Reflection 2-4 sessions
Back To Top

Jaco Hamman - Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care
Grace-filled Dysfunction: Families Then and Now 4 sessions
Remembering the Future: Listening to the Body of Christ 4 sessions
Living with Loss 4 sessions
Understanding Clergy Sexual Misconduct 3 sessions
Moving Toward Congregational Reconciliation 4 sessions
When Steeples Cry: Leadership Through Loss and Change 5 sessions
The Dark Side of Leadership 3 sessions
Back To Top

I. John Hesselink (Emeritus) - Albertus C. Van Raalte Professor of Systematic Theology
The Meaning & Relevance of the Reformed Faith 5-6 sessions
Introduction to Calvin's Theology 5-6 sessions
Last Things Now: Some Key Eschatological Issues 4-6 sessions
Developments & Issues in Modern Theology 5-6 sessions
I Peter Bible Study 5 sessions
Philippians Bible Study 4 sessions
I Corinthians 15 2 sessions
I Corinthians 12 & 14 2 sessions
The RCA and CRC - What Unites & Divides Us 1 session
My Dream for the RCA and a Proposed Credo 1 or 2 sessions
Back To Top

George R. Hunsberger - Dean of Journey and Professor of Congregational Mission
Features of the Missional Church 1 day seminar
The Church Between Gospel and Culture 1 day seminar
People of the Reign of God 1 day seminar
Evangelism in the 21st Century 1 day seminar
Back To Top


Christopher B. Kaiser - Professor of Historical & Systematic Theology
The Doctrine of the Trinity  
The Ecumenical Creeds of the Church  
Biblical Images of Creation  
Creation and the History of Science Length of events negotiable
Three Models of Intelligent Design 3 sessions
Living the Christian Faith in a Science-Wired World  
Creation and Evolution (3 session minimum recommended for all)
Back To Top

Paul M. Smith - Director of Beardslee Library & Associate Professor of Theological Bibliography
The Church and Cyberspace 1-4 Sessions
Back To Top
 
David Stubbs - Assistant Professor of Ethics and Theology
Christian Views on War Length of events negotiable
Union with Christ Length of events negotiable
John Calvin and His Theology Length of events negotiable
Worship and Ethics Length of events negotiable
Back To Top

  Leanne Van Dyk - Professor of Reformed Theology & Academic Dean
How are We Saved? Understanding the Cross of Jesus Christ 3 sessions
The Sacraments: God's Promises Painted in a Picture 2 sessions
Hand in Glove: How Worship Shapes Theology and Theology Shapes Worship 3 sessions
Highlights of Reformed Theology 2 sessions
Back To Top

Robert E. Van Voorst - Professor of New Testament
The Sermon on the Mount 4-6 sessions
The Acts of the Apostles 4-8 sessions
The Book of Revelation 4-6 sessions
Christianity and other Religions 2-4 sessions
Difficult Issues Facing the Church: Homosexuality, Religious Pluralism, and Ecumenical Relations 3 sessions
The Gospel of Luke 4-8 sessions
Humor in the Christian Life 1-2 sessions
Understanding Islam 3-4 sessions
All times are adjustable.

Most topics can be done in 1 or 2 days on retreats or in conferences.

Back To Top


  Dennis N. Voskuil - President and Professor of Church History
The Church Faces the 21st Century 2-4 sessions
History of the RCA 2-4 sessions
The Reformation 2-4 sessions
Latter Day Saints 1-2 sessions
Pentecostal Church 2-4 sessions
Who are the Evangelicals? 2-4 sessions
American Pentecostalism 2-4 sessions
Strangers in the Land 2-4 sessions
Calvinism in an Armenian Culture 2-4 sessions
Robert Schuller Revisited 1-2 sessions
Positive Thinking in American Popular Religion 2-4 sessions
Back To Top

To schedule a course, contact the faculty member directly. Call Western Seminary, 1-800-392-8554 or 616-392-8555, or fax 616-392-7717.