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An Introduction to Kerux
Welcome on behalf of the Kerux staff to another academic year at Calvin Theological Seminary. The Kerux is the student newspaper for the seminary community. We carry articles ranging from News to Opinion to Informed Reflection. We are interested in articles and writers. If something strikes you as good or even as a little off, we are interested having you write about it. We hope the Kerux can become a forum not only for reporting on the events taking place in the Calvin Seminary community but also reporting the thoughts and pulse of this community in the form of reflection, feature, humor and opinion. The audience of Kerux stretches beyond our local seminary community to the greater CRC community via the pastors and others who have passed through the doors of the seminary.
Heat, Smoke and God
What I Learned from My Summer in California
I spent 5 weeks of my summer at Granite Springs Church in a suburb of Sacramento, CA. It was hot, often over 110 degrees. It was smoky, with forest fires all around the state. And it was filled with people skittish about institutional religion.
Getting My Feet Wet
Reflections on a Congregational Internship
Nick, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be a summer intern in Austinville, Iowa, set apart by Don Byker to fulfill a contract promised beforehand through his seminary mandate. To Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Gospel for Inmates
The Joys of Jail Ministry
"Do you think God would forgive me?" This was the question Jim, an inmate at Kent County Jail, asked me after I taught about salvation and forgiveness through Jesus our Lord. I can think of very few questions more beautiful. These are the kinds of questions I often get while I do ministry in Kent County Jail. I’ll never forget that day when we prayed together for Jim to accept Jesus.
Beat Preacher
With the 1998 film Rounders Matt Damon and Edward Norton brought poker into mainstream American culture. The decade since has witnessed the dramatic rise of online gambling and the transition of shadowy card sharks into tabloid celebrities and tabloid celebrities into overconfident gamblers with too much money and too little sense. Following their lead millions of amateurs have learned the rules of Texas Hold’Em in the faint hopes of becoming the next Doyle Brunson or Scottie Nguyen. An unfortunate few wind up in support groups after losing everything to the endorphin rush of the big bet. Most just lose a few bucks and a little pride. Meanwhile the industry rolls up huge profits and it’s easier to find cards being played on ESPN than baseball.
Go And Sin No More
A Good Friday Story in Hard Eight
Tucked inside Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1996 Hard Eight is a poignant illustration of the Good Friday story. As the opening credits close, we find a disheveled John Finnegan (played by John Reilley) huddled against the cold pavement along a truck stop diner. He is offered a cup of coffee and cigarette by a stranger named Sydney. Sydney (Philip Baker Hall) befriends John and eventually helps him pay his outstanding debts through casino gambling.