Print this issueKerux Interview: Jerry Dykstra
In June 2006, the annual Synod of the Christian Reformed Church in North America confirmed Jerry Dykstra as the new Executive Director of the denomination. Now into his fourth month as executive director, Dykstra expressed clear confidence in his role at the helm as well as his focus and vision for the denomination. Kerux staff writer Allen Kleine Deters sat down with Dykstra to discuss Dykstra's new role and his vision for the Church and the denomination.
Granholm and DeVos debate state issues
Candidates square off on economy, school vouchers, abortion, and more
On Tuesday, Michigan Governor and Democratic incumbent Jennifer Granholm and Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos met at the WOOD-TV studios in Grand Rapids for the second of three debates in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 7 elections. I was invited to attend the debate as part of the media pool, an experience which provided a first-hand look at the candidates, the issues, and the process that goes into producing a live television debate.
Fair trade coffee brews a harmful cup
There has been a recent push within the Christian community to interfere with the natural workings of the market, urging people to purchase "fair trade" goods. Last year, for example, there was an effort to get fair trade coffee purchased for the Student Center at the seminary. Fair trade helps a few at the expense of many. The fair trade movement is a way for wealthy westerners to ease their consciences and help a few localised individuals or families in the poorer areas of the world. Overall, fair trade coffee is a bad economic and development idea.
A worship of life
A poem by Joyce Ten Have
Miroslav Volf on violence, memory, and reconciliation
Is it wrong to have a theological hero? About three years ago, I read the book Exclusion and Embrace by Miraslov Volf, Henry B. Wright professor of theology at Yale University Divinity School and director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture. All I could say was "wow." Volf was writing something that is soaked by the words of Jesus and layered with a dialogue of postmodern philosophy.
Service Learning reconsidered
In his article "Right Idea, Wrong Execution" (Kerux Oct. 6), Kevin C. Vande Streek examines Calvin Theological Seminary's training for service in general and its Service Learning Day in particular and finds them lacking. Vande Streek's article reflects some valid concerns, but also replays some of the same confused messages about service and service learning that the seminary community had been responding to in anticipation of this day. I write this article to continue the dialogue which Vande Streek raised and to clear up some muddy water.
Editorial: A true romance
Of all the injustices that Hollywood has unleashed on contemporary culture, none can be more damning than the popular portrayal of "romance."
Sem Eye: Sexy and orthodox
Weblogger Carla Rolfe has a message: "Emergent NO!"
Letters to the Editor
Weekly letters to the editor