Testament Fall 2016

President Medenblik and some students share their insights.

Changing Times: The Impact of Credit on Stewardship

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDGrand Rapids, MIPermit No. 657

“One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.”

– Psalm 145:4

Legacy Luncheon

Save the Date

May 10Details inside

The Mission Continues

Calvin Theological Seminary begins its 141st year of ministry this fall. 1876 marked the beginning of this era of ministry, when one pastor started training five students to become pastors for the church. From such humble beginnings, Calvin Seminary (and Calvin College) were born. More recently, since the conclusion of its Cultural Revolution in 1976, the church in China has been experiencing a new era of ministry.

I had the privilege of visiting China for the very first time this past summer. Our current Calvin Seminary students from China helped sort through location possibilities and make connections. Along with Director of Admissions, Aaron Einfeld, I visited Beijing, Chengdu, Wenzhou and Shanghai, where we met with founders of churches, schools, and seminaries.

There is no “one” church in China. We saw variety—between registered and unregistered churches, among individual churches, and

continued inside

by region. There are no denominations to speak of, but networks and associations are developing.

Again and again we heard that the church needs more and better leaders. Teachers are being identified, schools are developing, and seminars are being held as some of the steps taken to multiply the number of leaders for a vital church.

Calvin Seminary recently adopted the following summary statement of our Mission: Calvin Theological Seminary is a learning community in the Reformed Christian tradition that forms church leaders who cultivate communities of disciples of Jesus Christ.

While we cannot physically go back to the beginning of Calvin Seminary in 1876, we are witnesses to the legacy of support and stewardship that began in that year. We are beneficiaries of generational faithfulness in prayer, sacrificial giving, and consistent encourage-ment as we train leaders for the church, and as that legacy grows beyond North American borders.

Thank you for helping us continue in that Mission for the glory of God and for the building up of Christ’s Church here in North America and around the world!

In His Service With You,

Jul Medenblik President of Calvin Theological Seminary

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A banker gave his pastor some interesting insights into our culture. Forty years ago, banks would give loans for only two reasons: the purchase of a home or the purchase of a car. If a prospective borrower came to the bank and asked to borrow money to take a vacation in the Bahamas, they would quickly show the customer the door.

Today about seven credit card companies a week offer to loan money for that Caribbean vacation. The Bible does not teach that Christians cannot take out a loan, but younger generations often see credit as a viable and normal means of acquiring what they want.

Generational differences significantly influence how we perceive our spending, giving, and planning habits. This new generation is the first to live in a credit-based economy and culture, and it is important to consider our habits from the perspective of biblical stewardship.

Scripture teaches that as soon as we borrow money, we become, according to Proverbs 22:7, a “servant” to our lender. It may be time to help our children and grandchildren take a good look at the impact debt can have. This can be an important step toward helping them prepare to live in future financial freedom.

It is so important for mature Christians to communicate the value of biblical stewardship, the trap that debt can become, and why they actively support kingdom building work.

3233 Burton SEGrand Rapids, MI 49546

Welcome to the Fall 2016 Issue of Testament!

Forming church leaders who cultivate communities of disciples of Jesus Christ.

Testimonial by Phil and Mary Frens

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”www.calvinseminary.edu

We chose to endow a scholarship for a student who desires to seek ordination and participate in parish ministry.

Really, God? by Christianne Zeiger

We count it a great privilege to have grown up in the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) and value the influence of that upbringing on our ministry, teaching in Christian schools and serving in the pastorate. Both of us feel incredibly grateful to God to have benefitted from the Reformed worldview of the CRC.

Being called into ministry through a mission emphasis program in the First Reformed Church of Fremont, I (Phil) chose to attend Hope College and Western Theological Seminary and served Reformed Church of America (RCA) churches throughout my ministry. Although I served RCA churches, my ministry was shaped by my CRC roots. Rev. George Holwerda was a particularly significant and influential figure for me. (From experience, I learned you knew your catechism lesson or spent the next hour in his study learning it!) His preaching and teaching shaped the way I approach Scripture and ministerial service.

Growing up in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, there was no doubt in my parent’s mind that I (Mary) would be going to college and that college would be Calvin! I graduated from Calvin College with an Elementary Education degree and received my Masters from Purdue University. I taught in the Christian school systems of Lafayette, IN and in the south Chicago suburbs.

In retirement, we have returned to the CRC and feel as though we never left. We chose to endow a scholarship with Calvin Seminary for a student who desires to seek ordination and participate in parish ministry. We feel that North America needs teachers and pastors who are Christ-centered and have a God-glorifying, Biblical worldview. We believe that it is important that we follow the Word of God regardless of cultural changes or social trends.

God has abundantly blessed us in this life with the ability to learn, find jobs, and be successful and frugal in our living. Because of God’s providence, we now participate in the joy of giving. We like to think about long-range blessings for others. Our desire is to give back what God so generously gave to us so we can be a blessing as we have been blessed.

Phil and Mary Frens

My last semester in Bible College I was scheduled to preach in chapel and was searching for a passage to expound upon, but I was also struggling deeply with spiritual apathy. Ironically, I came across Psalm 16:11: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” I thought, “Really, God?” But something supernatural happened as I began to read—God began to give me understanding concerning the Gospel. I read about His holiness, His righteousness, our sin, His grace, and His love. It was beautiful and frightening all at once. I began weeping in that little study room over the truth of the Gospel. I remember stopping multiple times as I read, thinking, “Why have I never heard this before? This is crazy!” Even though I grew up in the church and almost finished up a Bible/Theology degree, I didn’t know the Gospel—which means other people didn’t know the Gospel, either. In chapel the next month, I preached the Gospel for the very first time.

I chose to continue my education at Calvin Theological Seminary because it is all about keeping the Gospel central in its preaching,

all the way from trouble in the text to grace in the world. It is home to several brilliant, yet kind professors who will invite entire classes into their homes for lunch. It is loyal to the Reformed tradition, yet welcoming of those from other traditions. Through the gifts of several generous donors, it offers scholarships and inexpensive housing to those who would otherwise be unable to attend seminary, like myself. And it is also a place that God is using to develop the gifts of both men and women to proclaim the Gospel forever. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to study in such a place.

I know that even before I was born, God chose me to use my voice to declare His gospel. There is nothing else I was born for. This fall, as I enter my second year of seminary, I hope I continue to grow in my love for the Gospel and in developing my identity as a communicator of God’s Word, but most importantly, I hope to grow in my identity as a daughter loved by the Father.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program at Calvin Seminary equips its students for teaching and research in colleges, theological seminaries and universities, as well as for general church leadership.

Four PhD students graduated in May 2016 and are serving the church and kingdom in various ways and across the world—one took a missionary position in Philadelphia, others are carrying their knowledge forward through professorships in Korea and Ireland.

This fall, five PhD students joined the PhD program, bringing enrollment to 34 students. Approximately half of these s tudents are citizens of the United States and the other half come from other countries. All of the students in their first four years of the program are given full tuition support and a stipend that could be applied to living expenses. This support comes in the form of tuition scholarships, fellowships, a ssistantships, and other forms of financial aid.

Those involved in leadership of the PhD program, including Dr. Lyle Bierma, the Director of Doctoral Studies, continue to work toward strengthening its resources both academically and financially.

For example, during the 2015-16 academic year, the Seminary welcomed several Calvin College professors to participate in academic life at the Seminary. These Calvin

faculty members greatly enhanced the course offerings and intellectual environment of the PhD program. The cost of this collaboration was covered by a generous endowment that enables the PhD program to draw on the strengths of the faculty at Calvin College.

Work toward strengthening the financial r esources of the PhD program continues. President Medenblik and the Development Office received initial funding for two endowed chairs: the John H. Stek Doctoral Chair in Old Testament Studies and the Frank and Bernice Deppe Chair in New Testament, both of which, with further pledged contributions, will someday enable expansion of the PhD program into biblical studies.

The PhD program at Calvin Theological Seminary continues to attract excellent students, to provide high-quality education, and to produce graduates who cultivate communities of disciples throughout the world.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program at Calvin SeminaryDr. Lyle Bierma continues to strengthen the Seminary’s resources both academically and financially.

Seminary staff and faculty showed their appreciation of the President’s Legacy Society members by celebrating with them and other friends at the Annual Presidents’ Legacy Society Luncheon last May. Dr. Larry and Mary Gerbens shared the impact that the parable of the prodigal son has had on their lives. They graciously shared some original pieces of art and their book, The Father and His Two Sons: the Art of Forgiveness, which showcases their collection of artwork that represents the beloved parable. In appreciation of our generous supporters, the book was given to those who were able to attend the luncheon.

Art at the Legacy Luncheon

The Seminary looks forward to welcoming you back for the Sixth Annual Gathering of the Presidents’ Legacy Society on May 10, 2017. Save the Date!

A Great Privilege to Have Grown Up With This Influence by Phil and Mary Frens

Christianne ZeiglerM.Div. student from

the United States