November 21, 2008
Scripture and meditation by Dr. Tom Boogaart, Professor of Old Testament, at the November 21, 2008 chapel service
News and Events
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Chapel service
Longest-living professor turns 102
November 21, 2008
Dr. Richard Oudersluys began teaching New Testament at Western Theological Seminary in 1942. Throughout the decades he was a much loved professor and an outstanding scholar who was dedicated to the church. He retired in his mid-70s but continued teaching his very popular course on the Gospel of John to packed classrooms for the next 20 years at both the seminary and Hope College. When he was 95 years old, he finally told the seminary’s dean, Dr. Jim Brownson, “I think this will be my last time teaching the course.”
Reformation Day Panel Discussion
“Faith and Public Life: Reformational Principles for Politics”
October 31, 2008
Location: Western Seminary’s Semelink Hall at 7:00pm, Oct. 31
In commemoration of Reformation Day, a panel discussion will be held on the timely topic: “Faith and Public Life: Reformational Principles for Politics.”
All interested people are invited.
The panel will feature area educators and professors: Mr. Eugene Westra, Dr.Roland Hoksbergen, Rev. Linda Knieriemen, and Dr. Uko Zylstra, and it will be moderated by Rev. Lou Wagenveld.
The event is co-sponsored by the Ecumenical Relations Councils of the Holland Classes of the Reformed Church in America and the Christian Reformed Church and Western Theological Seminary.
Refreshments will be Apple Cider and Donut Holes.
Expenses will be defrayed by a donation box on the tables.
Read moreTim Brown Inaugurated as New President
October 2, 2008
On October 2, 2008 Rev. Dr. Timothy Brown was inaugurated as the 11th President of Western Theological Seminary. Dimnent Memorial Chapel on the Hope College campus was filled with friends, colleagues, students, and alumni celebrating this new leadership role for Tim. Academic delegates from as far away as Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA came to join the procession and wish him well.
WTS Faculty Widely Published
2007-2008 publications
July 25, 2008
The faculty of Western Theological Seminary is pleased to announce the publication of many new books and scholarly articles during 2007-2008.
For a complete list, including links to the actual articles themselves (when available), go here.
Books can be ordered from The Sacred Page, and articles can be read on campus at the Beardslee Library.
Read moreWTS Student Receives Prestigious Fellowship
Lindsey J. De Kruif awarded
June 27, 2008
The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) in Atlanta, GA has recognized Lindsey J. De Kruif, an entering Master of Divinity student at Western Theological Seminary, as a young leader who demonstrates exceptional gifts for ministry.
As a recipient of a 2008 FTE Congregational Fellowship, De Kruif will receive a $2,000-$5,000 award for tuition and expenses, which matches support from her nominating congregation, the Chandler Reformed Church of Chandler, MN. The Congregational Fellows attended the 2008 FTE Conference on Excellence in Ministry June 11-15 at Emory University's Candler School of Theology in Atlanta.
Read moreWestern Seminary Changes Leaders
June 21, 2008
On Saturday, June 21, The Grand Rapids Press ran an article about Dennis Voskuil retiring from the presidency and Tim Brown assuming leadership of the seminary.
To write the article, journalist Matt Vande Bunte interviewed Dennis, Tim, and Carol Bechtel. Photo by Mark Copier.
www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf
Read moreWTS Professor named General Synod President
June 10, 2008
Western Theological Seminary is pleased to announce that Dr. Carol Bechtel, Professor of Old Testament, was elected president by the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America on Monday, June 9, 2008. Dr. Bechtel has served as the vice president of the General Synod for the last year.
For further information, the RCA has posted an article about Carol Bechtel.
Read moreSpring 2008 Faculty News
June 6, 2008
Leanne Van Dyk, Todd Billings, and David Stubbs were interviewed June 3 for a video project commemorating the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth. The project by Witherspoon Publications, a publishing house of the Presbyterian Church USA, is designed to be a resource for adult education programs in a congregational setting. Western Seminary’s professors spoke on Calvin's historical context, his enduring legacy and how his thought can continue to be a resource for the modern church. The videographer was Vernon Leat of Umbrella Group Arts of Kansas City, MO, an award winning maker of documentaries.