Print this issueStudents divided over online Hebrew course
There is a topic of discussion at Calvin Theological Seminary that never fails to spur impassioned responses: the online Hebrew program.
With the program now entering its third year, Kerux contributing editor Walter Miedema spent several weeks talking to students and faculty about the online Hebrew program in order to report how the program was developed and put into place, what the students’ response to it has been, and where the program is going from here.
New Senate executive team elected by online vote
Turnout higher as Lee, Jenista, Chiew, vanEyk chosen
Students at Calvin Theological Seminary this spring elected a new executive team for the 2007-2008 Student Senate by casting votes in the first-ever online Student Senate election.
Kerux interview: Charles Honey
For the past 13 years, Charles Honey has been the religion editor for the Grand Rapids Press, during which time he has covered stories ranging from CRC synods to the Roman Catholic sexual abuse scandal. During Honey’s editorship, the Press’s religion coverage won the Religion Newswriters Association’s 2002 Schachern Award for “best religion section” among mid-sized newspapers. Honey met with Kerux editor in chief Christian Bell in February for a conversation about writing, faith in Grand Rapids, and the benefits and challenges of reporting on religion.
Poverty simulation provides stark lesson
Wife of abusive CTS grad tells of personal experience
On April 12, several CTS students attended a poverty simulation, held by the All County Churches Emergency Support System (ACCESS) at Thornapple Community Church. None of us knew what we were getting into. Some of us were suspicious that we would actually be spending time on the street with homeless people.
Water fast raises over $400
Water is a strong and beautiful metaphor used in scripture, and also an obvious component to baptism. It is a basic need for life as we know it. Even though every 14 seconds a child dies as a result of unsafe water, many of us in North America take clean water for granted. Around the world, 2.6 billion people – almost a third of the world’s population – live near and depend on unclean water as their main water source. As an effort to raise awareness of this problem, the Social Justice organization and the Student Senate sponsored a ‘water fast’ to help raise money to fund clean well building.
Long lost mug
A poem by Sherilyn Vandervalk
For further consideration
A collection of topics not yet discussed
In the course of a year of publication, there are many issues that don’t get written about for one reason or another. Constraints of time and space are two common reasons why; sometimes nobody wants to write about it because they’re not interested, while other times nobody wants to write about it because they’re afraid of the consequences. Since any farewell publication is a muse towards a consequences-be-damned attitude, here are a few things that we didn’t discuss, but hope that future Kerux staffs and students in general will.
A glimpse into the heart of Soulcare
Often overlooked, the men and women married to seminary students make significant sacrifices to support their spouses as they pursue their callings. Some have moved across the city, others across the country, and still others across oceans to follow the Lord’s call to Calvin Theological Seminary. Many have left stable incomes in secure careers, others have gone back to work after staying home with their children, and some have given up the luxury of living near family – all to faithfully follow the call of the Lord on their spouse, and thus their family, to pursue a seminary education.
Seminal reflections
It seems strange to title the last piece of my seminary academic career “seminal,” meaning “seed” or “having possibilities of future development.”
Although I will not be studying at Calvin Theological Seminary in the foreseeable future, my learning will not end. It is important to me to continue to study, learn, grow, and develop. This is important for all Christians, especially for leaders in the church. We need to stimulate new ways of thinking and looking at things, because none of us have things figured out. It is somewhat depressing, after nine years of secondary education, to think that I have barely begun my climb up the mountain.
A parting confession
Community of Christ: Forgive me, for I have sinned. Here is my confession: for the first year of my seminary career, I did nothing remotely resembling personal prayer and Scripture reading. Me – a wannabe pastor! And yet I’ve had enough conversations to know that I’m not alone with this struggle.
Editorial: A long obedience in the same direction
Asked to comment on my four years as a student at Calvin Theological Seminary, I would offer up this: It was not at all like I expected it to be.
In a roundabout sort of way, I am ending where I began – the same classroom, the same curriculum, and some of the same uncertainties. But the things that have changed in my four years demonstrate with profundity where CTS stands as an institution today.
Sem Eye: The taste of Easter
Cosimo Cavallaro is no stranger to the inspirational potential of fusing food with art. The Canadian artist has shaped sculptures out of ham and painted hotel rooms with mozzarella cheese (an act that must of produced one of the most startled faces in the history of housekeeping). This Easter Cosimo went a step further, carefully sculpting a six-foot high statue of Jesus, without so much as a loincloth, suspended on the cross. While Cavallaro insists the Holy Week unveiling of his work was “purely coincidental” not everyone is convinced and boycotts have been called for by the Catholic League. Two hundred pounds of chocolate have suddenly become a ton of dynamite.
Letters to the editor
Weekly letters to the editor and notices.