This section provides access to various works of student scholarship and student publications from Calvin Theological Seminary and Calvin University. These range from papers submitted for competitions, poster presentations, undergraduate research, and a capstone or culminating work for a seminary or university degree. The views and opinions expressed in these works are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Calvin University, Calvin Theological Seminary, or its funders.

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Works from 2012

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Chimes: March 30, 2012, Calvin College

Supreme Court tackles constitutionality of healthcare bill by Rachel Hekman

Grad wins Jeopardy by Katerina Parsons

Calvin made partner by Tyler Slamkowski

Physics students win NASA grant by Avery Johnson

Myths surrounding binge drinking warrant case, investigation by Kendra Haan

Outdoor track begins by Josh Yonker

Krafft an All-American by Jess Koster

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Chimes: March 16, 2012, Calvin College

Serving and learning on break by Allysa Metzner

Women in round of 8 by Jess Koster

Walsh's commentary relevant by Jasmine Wilson

Two Knights claim All-American honor at nationals in track and field by Mark Dehaan

Student senate open house campaign misguided, misleading by Michelle Ratering

Eastown a vibrant neighborhood by Libby Stille

NASA hit with suit by Allison Schepers

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Chimes: March 9, 2012, Calvin College

Women's basketball moves on to Chicago sectionals by Mark Dehaan

Improv joins UCB Friday night by Avery Johnson

Bulthuis sings gospel by John Kloosterman

Professor receives Fulbright Fellowship by Tyler Slamkowski

Eisley to perform by Katerina Parsons

Climate beliefs shift by Jon Hielkema

Limbaugh lambasted by Connor Sterchi

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Chimes: March 2, 2012, Calvin College

Romney takes Michigan primary, splits delegates by Joseph Matheson

Worden plays Calvin by Michelle Ratering

KE apartments offer exciting opportunities by Libby Stille

Dance the night away by Jasmine Wilson

Stores offer cheap food for students by Jackson Hall

Latest Andrew Bird album orchestral, yet simple by Zach Waasdorp

Silence a discipline by Christine Bennett

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Dialogue: March 2012, Staff and writers of Dialogue

Poetry
05 Jake Schepers, Tug; 11 Michael Kelly, A Sonnet for Me and
Mine; 15 Davis Dryer, The Zilwaukee Bridge, I Thought I Knew; 16 Sharon Piwang, Poetry Jam Uncensored-MS DO; 33 Abby Koning, Panopticon; 35 Jake Schepers, This American Life; 39 Hannah Meijers, Watching Crocodiles; 41 Caroline Higgins, Birds and Banjos, Skinny (Like Long Island); 42 Hannah Meijers, That Moment; 42 Katerina Parsons, Chicken Not to Tell Me; 43 Andrew Knot, Subway; 43 Ryan Hagerman, A Show for Me; 44 Colleen Keehl, Phenomenology; 45 Daniel Camacho, American Soul; 46 Andrew McCleland, The Nameless Picker; 47 Michelle Ratering, Flight Patterns of the Acer Saccharum; 47 Katie Van Zanen, Everything; 48 Justin Majetich, Family Portait, (Armillaria Ostoyae); 49 Megan Meulink, Drive Out the
Night; 52 Andrew Szobody, Shadow Studies; 54 Leah Sienkowski, Maps and Lines, Snake Grass; 55 Mi...

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Chimes: February 24, 2012, Calvin College

Rangeela promises cultural exposure, visual sparkle by Hayley Cox

GOP primaries come to Michigan by Allysa Metzner

Siblings visiting Calvin by Avery Johnson

Apple and Microsoft introduce new order in operating systems by Jon Hielkema

Calvin dominates Saint Mary's by Mark Dehaan

Knights open season by Josh Yonker

Local legend to play in CFAC by John Kloosterman

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Chimes: February 17, 2012, Calvin College

Calvin and Hope compete in 'The Rivalry' by Jess Koster

Shad brings hope to rap by Zack Waasdorp

Housing communities abound by Libby Stille

Mentoring program a great opportunity by Grace Ruiter

President Obama releases new budget plan for fiscal year 2013 by Nathan Slauer

Women bounce back from loss to Hope. clinch MIAA title by Josh Yonker

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Chimes: February 10, 2012, Calvin College

Airband hopefuls set to perform Saturday at uKnight week event by Avery Johnson

'David' meaningful, poetic by Abby Zwart

President Obama addresses tuition costs by Allysa Metzner

Google changes privacy by Jon Hielkema

Joshua Powell suspected in house fire by Rachel Hekman

Women's basketball splits by Jess Koster

Joel Salatin farms differently, encourages local eating by Nathan Korstanje

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Chimes: February 3, 2012, Calvin College

Student-run conference offers plenaries, activities, music by Libby Stille

Swin teams on fire by Josh Yonker

Dining hall gets much-anticipated facelift by Hayley Cox

Worship Symposium experiences record attendance by Jasmine Wilson

Men's basketball takes two of three at home by Josh Yonker

Campus safety guns inappropriate by Brandon Burkhart

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Chimes: January 20, 2012, Calvin College

Grand Rapids celebrates legacy of MLK Jr. by Jasmine Wilson

IBM develops new storage technology by Jonathan Hielkema

Protest trumps corruption by Greg Kim

Award show hosts make, break ceremonies by Jackson Hall

Knights win two conference games by Josh Yonker

Lacrosse coach named by Jess Koster

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Chimes: January 13, 2012, Calvin College

Kill-a-Watt charges up campus mindset by Allysa Metzner

Board of Trustees recommends Le Roy for Calvin president by Joseph Matheson & Andrew Steiner

Microsoft poised over mobile market by Jonathan Hielkema

'Jane by Design' wanders by Samantha Wade

Men's basketball team makes weak show in Pacific Northwest by Mark Zylstra

Women, still undefeated, beat Dutch by Jess Koster

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Claude Pajon (1626-1685) and the Academy of Saumur., Albert J. Gootjes, CalvinTheological Seminary

This thesis examines the life, writings and polemics of Claude Pajon (1626-1685) throughout the first so-called Pajonist controversy (1665-1667). Previous scholarship situated him in the context of a development it saw within the theology originating from the Academy of Saumur and passing from John Cameron (ca. 1579-1625), through Moïse Amyraut (1596- 1664), and then to Pajon. This study argues that this trajectory needs revision. Pajon developed a theory of grace which denied the necessity of an immediate, internal work of the Holy Spirit on either intellect or will, preceding the mediate work through the Word and other means. To characterize this as a development from Amyraut is inaccurate in at least two ways. First, Pajon implicitly – and, on one occasion, also explicitly! – rejected his former teacher’s view. Secondly, he did not himself devise his theory on grace but adopted it ...

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In Defense of Leibniz's theodicy, Nathan A. Jacobs, CalvinTheological Seminary

G. W. Leibniz professes a commitment to historical Christian theism, but the depth and orthodoxy of his commitment has been questioned throughout the past three centuries. In this project I defend both the cogency and the orthodoxy of Leibniz’s philosophical theology and, by extension, its application to the Christian task of theodicy. At the heart of this defense is the central claim of this project, namely, that Leibniz’s philosophical theology represents a traditional brand of Augustinianism. In short, I argue that Leibniz’s theodicy is not his own, but is the tacit claim of a longstanding theological tradition made explicit and brought to bear on the problem of evil as articulated in Leibniz’s day. Accompanying this central claim are a number of subordinate claims, the most significant of which center on how we read Leibniz on providence and on free choice. Regarding the former, I...

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Journeying To the God Who Is Here: John Baillie's theology of Revelation in the Context of His Life and Thought, Jessica Edwards Maddox, CalvinTheological Seminary

Scottish Presbyterian theologian John Baillie (1886-1960) was a significant theologian and scholar who thoughtfully took up throughout his career the questions of how and why we know God. This dissertation shows that Baillie’s unique contribution to the theology of revelation in the idea of the mediated immediacy of God’s presence plays a formative role in the rest of his theology and is valuable for a Reformed theological engagement of twenty-first century theology. Throughout his career Baillie made several offerings relevant to this area of study, most notably Our Knowledge of God (1939), which has been considered Baillie’s most original work. In Our Knowledge of God, Baillie suggests that revelation is a direct encounter with the presence of God mediated through the natural world, fellow humans, the church and, most significantly and clearly, Jesus Christ. The roots of this concep...

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Reexamining the place of public confession of sins in a reformed context., Matthew John Webber, Calvin Theological Seminary

A dangerous tendency plagues the scripturally mandated practice of confession within many mainline Christian churches. The danger is that the theological thrust of the practice has been ignored or compromised in such a way that the manner in which confession is practiced ignores fundamental elements which underlie the need for confession, specifically public confession performed before one's fellow believers. It is especially evident that the confession of one's sins, which once took place in pubic before the ecclesial body, has seen a significant amount of change within the Reformed context. The focus of this essay is to identify the theological reason behind the sinner publically seeking to be reconciled with God and one's faith community, as well as the reason behind public confession as a means through which one may embrace grace and overcome one's sinful behavior. In this work, I...

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Re-Visioning Reason, Revelation, and Rejection in John Locke's An Essay Concerning Human Understanding and John Toland's Christianity Not Mysterious., Jonathan S. Marko, CalvinTheological Seminary

Histories of philosophy that cover the rise of natural religion in England will inevitably move from John Locke to John Toland. The typical account portrays Locke as sincerely Christian and trying to balance the demands of faith and reason. His rationalistic epistemology in An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (Essay) even defends doctrines that are “above reason.” Toland is portrayed as a disciple of Locke whose modified Lockean epistemology in Christianity Not Mysterious (CNM) results in a subordination of revelation to reason and a dismissal of doctrines that are above reason. More detailed treatments note that CNM is the catalyst of the Locke-Stillingfleet debate, which begins when Bishop Stillingfleet observes CNM’s dependence on the Essay and then accuses Locke of paving the way for heresy. This dissertation argues that the differences between Locke and Toland with respect to...

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The Antitheses (Matthew 5:21-48) in the Sermon on the Mount: Moral Precepts Revealed in Scripture and Binding on All People, Amos Winarto Oei, CalvinTheological Seminary

While many may agree that the Sermon on the Mount is the epitome of Jesus' ethics, many also recognize that the Sermon is often a riddle. The vastness and variety of literature demonstrates that the interpretation of the Sermon is subject to many disagreements. At the heart of the Sermon of the Mount, the antitheses (Matthew 5:21-48) become one source of polemics in the study of the Sermon. The purpose of this dissertation is to contribute to the scholarship of the Sermon on the Mount by addressing two problems in the study of the antitheses. The first concerns the nature of the moral demands in the antitheses. The second deals with their scope. The intention of the dissertation is not to expose all possible misunderstandings of the interpretation of the antitheses but to examine some of the hermeneutical options to see how the nature of their presuppositions predetermines the logic ...

Works from 2011

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Chimes: December 9, 2011, Calvin College

Campus Fair Trade sale promotes justice by Amanda Elliott

Acton translates Kuyper by Ryan Devries

Choirs worship with LaGrave by Grace Ruiter

Scientists fight bacterial resistance by Jon Hielkema

Paradise Fears impressive by Jess Koster

Soccer team finishes second in the nation by Mark Zylstra

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Chimes: December 2, 2011, Calvin College

Dance guild's 'Footloose' dazzles, but lacks variety by Haley Cox

Florence avoids sophomore slump by Michelle Ratering

Meijer leaves legacy by Libby Stille

Students serve across nation by Marissa Beversluis

Frequent headers may cause injury by Allison Schepers

NATO airstrike stirs anger in Pakistan by Paulina Heule

Soccer continues streak, will take on Oneonta in final four by Mark Dehaan

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Chimes: November 18, 2011, Calvin College

Professor Schmidt nominated for National Book Award by Jasmine Wilson

Soccer beats Carthage, Lorcas by Mark Dehaan

Sexuality series informs by Amanda Elliott

Forum explores divinity by Avery Johnson

Martian moon mission fails by Allison Schepers

The Supreme Court to take case of healthcare constitutionally by Connot Sterchi

Hot Seat with Jodi Hoekstra by Jess Koster

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Chimes: November 11, 2011, Calvin College

CTC produces gem by Abby Zwart

Shoebox blessings gathered by Andrew Steiner

Test standards revised by Marissa Beversluis

Rhinos transported to new home by Allison Schepers

Calvin artist debuts work at local venue, talks about trial and inspiration by Samantha Wade

Swim/dive teams prevail by Mark Zylstra

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Chimes: November 4, 2011, Calvin College

Growing Indian economy spurs reform by Paulina Heule

KE treats neighborhood by Ryan Devries

Unhappy Hour thrills listeners by Elizabeth Steiner

Record snowstorm hits Eastern Seaboard by Rachel Hekman

Citigroup fails to sell EMI by Jaquelyn Den Haan

Volleyball completes perfect 29-game regular season by Jess Koster

Interview: CRC Interim Executive Director Joel Boot by John Kloosterman

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Chimes: October 28, 2011, Calvin College

Calvin Music Festival showcases variety of talents by Tyler Slamkowski

'Stewards' reach out to local watershed by Libby Stille

Networking event 'roasts' Byker by Amanda Elliott

Gadhafi's death investigated by Christine Bennett

'Fotografia', a journey of sound by Jonathan Hielkma

These girls just won't stop by Jon Breems

Verkaik closing in on records by Mark Dehaan

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Chimes: October 21, 2011, Calvin College

Volleyball sweeps Midwest Invitational by Josh Yonker

Spend summer stateside by Grace Ruiter

Fair evinces student research by Hayley Cox

Registeration mandated by Amanda Elliot

Ancient paint discovered by Allison Schepers

Televised debates popular by Nathan Slauer

Rough week for Michigan sports by Maxwell Harden

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Chimes: October 14, 2011, Calvin College

Youth Lagoon plays a synth set by Michelle Ratering

Occupy Together descends upon Grand Rapids by Libby Stille

Steve Jobs had eye for greatness by Jon Hielkema

Three women awarded Nobel Peace Prize by Josh Delacy

Bjork's latest album innovative, interactive by Samatha Wade

Women's golf qualifies for tourney by Mark Zylstra

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Chimes: October 7, 2011, Calvin College

Religious tolerance celebrated by Jasmine Wilson

Jazz club keeps modern music alive by Tyler Slamkowski

Liberia program expands by Allysa Metzner

Science in 'Contagion' accurate by Allison Schepers

Occupy Wall Street protesters frustated with financial situation by Rachel Hekman

Golf looks to final tourney by Jess Koster & Mark Dehaan

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Dialogue: October 2011, Staff and writers of Dialogue

Prose
05 William Overbeeke, The Orchid Shop; 10 Andrew Steiner, Saint Daniel of Padua; 12 Jonathan Hielkema, Riffs and Variations on Coastal Rise; 15 Ta nice Mast, Untitled; 34 Maxwell Howard, Night Driving; 39 Caroline Higgins, Never See Me; 43 Jake Schepers, Antithises to Stork; 49 Joshua Epperly, Elysium

Visual Art
17 Bjorn Sparrman, Kotengu, Kappa; 19 Joanna Bayliss, Untitled; 20 Jenny Swim, #15. #3; 22 Bridgette Keehl, Untitled, Untitled; 24 Hannah Abma, Untitled, Untitled; 26 Ashleigh Vandel
Poetry
09 Leah Sienkowski, Delighted Audio, Darling You are Mine; 11 Colleen M. Keehl, Infinitely Wild; 14 Justin Majetich, Nine/Ten; 33 Caroline...

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Chimes: September 30, 2011, Calvin College

Volleyball beats Dutch by Jess Koster

Food fest educates campus, community by Libby Stille

ArtPrize enthralls GR by Hayley Cox

Study compares Internet speeds by Jon Hielkema

Nobel peace prize winner passes away by Greg Kim

Cut Copy rocks the CFAC by Nathan Ritsema

Knights win Alma invite by Josh Yonker

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Chimes: September 23, 2011, Calvin College

Men's soccer beats Hope 2-0 by Jess Koster

English department hosts kick-off picnic by Libby Stille

Calvin Professor explores role of art in healing by Elizabeth Steiner

Surgeons in London separate conjoined twins by Allison Schepers

Netflix's future predicted by Michelle Ratering

Knights golf going strong by Mark Zylstra

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Chimes: September 16, 2011, Calvin College

Beets-Veenstra dominates with back-to-back victories by Ryan Devries

Library offers more than just books by Glenn Remelts

Psalms study unites campus by Amanda Elliot

Mud Bowl Energizes KE by Amanda Elliott

Compound may deter poachers by Geneva Langeland

Economic disparity grows by Nathan Slauer

Classic witty comedy revisted by David Greendonner

Volleyball team undefeated in conference by Jess Koster

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Chimes: September 7, 2011, Calvin College

Controversy gains international attention by Andrew Steiner

Space heist story captivates by Colleen Keehl

President Byker bids Calvin fond farewell by Jasmine Wilson

Whimsical Google doodles delight by Allison Schepers

Writer reviews Hitchcock's return to form in 'Frenzy' by John Morton

Volleyball team starts off strong by Josh Yonker

NFC North Preview: North looking strong by Josh Yonker

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Chimes: September 2, 2011, Calvin College

Explore Grand Rapids by Stephen Mulder & Tyler Slamkowski

Buck Fridays offer late-night fun by Averi Mcewen

Free dinner and show sure to please by Abby Zwart

Calvin Jargon confusing? Look no further by Christy Admiraal

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Chimes: May 6, 2011, Calvin College

US finds Bin Laden by Griffin Jackson

Buck Fridays change by Hayley Cox

Band wins battle by Jon Behm

Tuition prices due to spin out of control, change needed by Andrew Steiner

Second US face transplant a success by Allison Schepers

Chimes seniors reminisce about their college years by Andrea Baas

Calvin crew strives for recognition by Josh Yonker

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Chimes: April 29, 2011, Calvin College

Senate debate flares up on hot topics, winners announced by Griffin Jackson

Research astounds by Tyler Slamkowski

Obama targets oil subsidies by David Ryou

Dialogue for community by community by Colleen M. Keehl

Decemberists give thrill to crowd of thousands by Eric Thayer

Mast phenomenal, softball founders by Tim Clover

Calvin climbs to second by Luke Leisman

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Chimes: April 15, 2011, Calvin College

'To see or not to see' no question by Eric Thayer

New Forum raises issues by Jasmine Wilson

Professors presented with Fulbright awards by Joseph Matheson

Student debts ballooning by David Ryou

Art students spur inter-college art war with Trojan Horses by Colleen M. Keehl

Knights kill at GLCA tourney by Mark Zylstra

Knights ready for Jamboree by Jon Behm

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Chimes: April 8, 2011, Calvin College

Caffeine tolerance genetically linked by Katie Faber

Senate faces organizational restructuring by Griffin Jackson

Weather causes crash in Congo by Joseph Matheson

Knights slam Hornets by Jon Behm

Knights have solid showing at Grand Rapids Open by Mark Zylstra

Calvin welcomes musicians, presenters for the Festival of Faith and Music by Madeline Tracy

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Chimes: April 1, 2011 (April Fools' Edition), Calvin College

VerMerris to say farewell by Tyler Slamkowski

Calvin oil spill contaminates Seminary Pond by Seamus Boaz Ackbar

'Love Wins' inflames myriad philosophical controversies by Jasmine Wilson

Bachmann weighs presidential bid by Joseph Matheson

Nuclear plant has ecological implications by Greg Kim

Calvin students discover new planet, make contact with alien life by Kate Fa'Brie

What makes us beautiful by Katie Hall

Softball bookends spring break trip by Tim Clover

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Chimes: March 18, 2011, Calvin College

Nuclear fallout clouds Japanese horizons by Allison Schepers

New student organization on the market by Jasmine Wilson

Bach festival bathes community in classical elegance by Tyler Slamkowski

Robots search for earthquake survivors by Geneva Langeland

Boerner claims national title by Mark Zylstra

Knights receive accolades by Jon Behm

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Chimes: March 11, 2011, Calvin College

Limelight shines on Calvin stars by Griffin Jackson

Screenings could save student athletes by Allison Schepers

Discovery completes final flight by Katie Faber

Nation of Palestine makes bid for statehood at the United Nations by Christine Bennett

Knights fall in second round of NCAA tourney by Derek Neice

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Chimes: March 4, 2011, Calvin College

Knights overcome Hope to snag MIAA championship by Jon Behm

Colorful show delights all by Jasmine Wilson

New murder mystery and director hit GR theaters by Tyler Slamkowski

Hamas assaults Israeli town by Greg Kim

Baseball builds on experience by Mark Zylstra

'Rabbit Hole' honest, yet hopeful by Colleen M. Keehl

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Dialogue: March 2011, Staff and writers of Dialogue

Nonfiction
04 Sabrina Lee, Tewnty-First Century Tomb Raiding; 11 Jake Schepers, De Rigueur for Men; 41 Sarah Vander Molen, For Whom the Bell Dings; 49 Nard Choi, Steady the Light

Fiction
07 Brian Alford, Im Spiegel; 09 Elaine Schnabel, Spoils of War; 36 Elaine Schnabel, Best Years; 45 Abby Koning, Pranayama

Visual Art
17 Hannah Abma, Bridge)· Suspension). Crossover; 20 Sean Vandenbrink, Henk van B) 1930). Nennetje Rijksen 1930; 22 Henry Muller, Everyday Interactions; 24 Jay Howard, Waiting I; 25 Alice Keyes, Life Amid the Rubble; 26 Andrew Fisher, Red Brick)·Broken Mansion; 28 Sheila Morken, Box)· Cup; 30 Jenny Swim, Middle Big Pot)· Little
Big Pot

Poetry
06 Nard Choi, Deny Myselp?· The Endless Inbetween; 08 peopleherd, Exquisite Corpse - The Reasons I Retired Young; 08 Adam Wolpa, ...

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Chimes: February 25, 2011, Calvin College

Aquatic knights win championship, set new records by Luke Leisman

'The Least of These' brings clothing to global community by Jasmine Wilson

Calvin silences Thunder by Jon Behm

Oscar nominations give hope, cause distress by Jackson Hall

The new sounds of Radiohead lack direction by John Kloosterman

Cane toad threatens Australia by Allison Schepers

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Chimes: February 18, 2011, Calvin College

Studying abroad fun but trying by Abby Zwart

Smoking ban inevitable? by Griffin Jackson

Annual conference musters Calvin, worldwide patronage by Tyler Slamkowski

Egyptian Museum ransacked by Taylor Vanderveen

Knights demolish Scots by Luke Leisman

Athletes honored for academics by Jon Behm

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Chimes: February 11, 2011, Calvin College

Go, Pack, go: Lombardi trophy returns to Green Bay by Jon Behm

Calvin's own to perform in "Manon" by Charlie Lapastora

Regathering highlights students' experiences abroad by Griffin Jackson

"Calvin's Got Talent" to premiere Saturday by Andrew Steiner

Wikileaks rights bought by Madeline Tracy

Knights drop another by Mark Zylstra

'The King's Speech' brings hope to stutterers by Allison Schepers

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Chimes: February 4, 2011, Calvin College

Revolution stirs millions in streets of Egypt by Joseph Matheson

Snowed-in Calvin closes for a day by Griffin Jackson

UKnight enlivens campus by Tyler Slamkowski

Calvin website improves by Elizabeth Vander Heide

Symposium inspires worshipers with growth, ecumenism by Griffin Jackson

Snowpocalypse hits US by Nate Slauer

Calvin hosts first indoor meet by Jon Behm

Knights exterminate Hornets in Van Noord by Tim Clover

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Chimes: January 21, 2011, Calvin College

Knights' skill leaves no hope for Flying Dutch by Luke Leisman

Fierce tournament thrills by Charlie Lapastora

King's legacy exhorts generations to pursue social justice by Griffin Jackson

Tuition on the rise by Ben Orlebeke

Tunisian uproar initiates major change by Joseph Matheson

New Facebook app launched by Jon Behm

The man with the beard by Tim Clover

Talented ensemble to perform in CFAC

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Chimes: January 14, 2011, Calvin College

Nation shocked by Tuscon shooting, honors dead by Abby Zwart

Knights sink the Flying Dutchmen by Jon Behm

Crowds flood J. Series by Elizabeth Vander Heide

Kill-A-Watt calls for stewardship by Tyler Slamkowski

Floods hit Australia by Christine Bennett

Grandin lectures in CFAC by Josiah Kuiper

Knights douse Comets, stay perfect by Tim Clover

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As good as it gets: a review and consideration of "healing prayer", its theological and ministry implications, and the hope for change it evokes., Henry Kranenburg, Calvin Theological Seminary

If healing is possible, and Christian prayer is a means to achieve it, how do Christians 'make it happen'? The answer to this question has had renewed and increasing interest for Christians in Reformed circles (Chapter I). While different healing 'ministries' have claimed to unlock (some aspect) of healing, there has been limited assessment of these ministries in both their methodologies and their claims. This paper reviews four of these ministries, first looking at aspects of their teaching and methodology (Chapter 2). It then reflects on these from a behavioural-psychological perspective by asking a number of questions (Chapter 3) before moving to a behavioural-theological analysis that looks a little more deeply at the foundations, methods and claims of these ministries (Chapter 4). This includes critique of these ministries (weaknesses, lacunae, inconsistencies) but also an recogn...

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Called into Communion: a Paradigm Shift in Holiness theology, B. Susan Carole, CalvinTheological Seminary

This dissertation argues that current problems in Nazarene holiness theology can be traced to a person-centered theological approach, which was introduced into theological reflection and practice during the Nineteenth Century Holiness Movement. Subjectivism has resulted in articulations of holiness doctrine that over-value the human role in religious experience and obscure the primacy of grace. These problems can be overcome by an articulation of holiness doctrine from the standpoint of its transcendent goalfullness in divine-human communion. Fullness of communion is divine-human fellowship characterized by the full actualization of divine Lordship and wholehearted human devotion, through the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Entire sanctification is the decisive moment of faith, subsequent to justification, in which the Holy Spirit cleanses the believer from inherited sin and initializes ...

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Covenant in Conflict: the Controversy Over the Church Covenant Between Samuel Rutherford and Thomas Hooker, Sang Hyuck Ahn, CalvinTheological Seminary

This dissertation examines the mid-seventeenth-century controversy over the church government between Samuel Rutherford (Presbyterian) and Thomas Hooker (Congregationalist) focusing on its theological underpinnings. The church covenant played a significant role: For Hooker, it constitutes the theological and logical foundation of his systematic defense of the New England Way—particularly in the issues of the nature of the visible church, church membership, the power of the keys, sacraments, and church discipline. Rutherford considers the church covenant as a human invention because it is unknown to Scripture. In reply, Hooker argues both that the concept of church covenant is warranted by God’s word, and also that Rutherford’s Presbyterianism is neither biblical nor true to the Reformation. Their differing views of the church covenant are closely interconnected with each man’s covenan...