Teaching Seminars

(This page is continuously updated – Please check back often for new seminars.)

2011 Seminars

How To Read The Bible for All Its Worth -Dr. Jeffrey A.D. Weima – May 15, 2011

Dr. Jeffrey Weima is a Professor at Calvin Theological Seminary and is the author of numerous scholarly articles, academic essays and book reviews.  “The ultimate goal of my teaching and academic research is to support this ongoing, worldwide ministry by providing the church with men and women who are equipped to give Christ-centered, scripturally based leadership.” – Dr Weima.

Seminar Literature: How to Read the Bible For all Its Worth

Seminar Recording: How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth

2010 Seminars

Clothed with the Virtues of Christ – Cornelius Plantinga, Jr - March 6, 2010

Cornelius Plantinga, Jr. is an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church and serves as President and Charles W. Colson Professor of Systematic Theology of Calvin Theological Seminary. This seminar looks at the characteristic ‘clothing’ worn by Christians – compassion, humility, patience, forgiveness and the ‘love that binds these virtues together in perfect harmony.’

Clothed with the Virtues of Christ: Opening Worship

Clothed With the Virtues of Christ: Patience

Clothed With the Virtues of Christ : Humility

Clothed With the Virtues of Christ: Forgiving

Love, Justice and Humility–Thoug​hts from a Bioethicist – Dr. Douglas Diekema – October 16, 2010

Douglas Diekema, M.D., M.P.H., is Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine with an adjunct appointment in the Department of Medical History and Ethics. He serves as Director of Medical Ethics and Chair of the IRB at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center. He currently serves on the Committee on Bioethics of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is coauthor of Christian Faith, Health, and Medical Practice (Eerdmans, 1989) and numerous articles on pediatric ethics and pediatric emergency care.

Every Ethics: Integrity, Vision & Understanding Differences - This talk seeks to provide insight and understanding into the ways people  respond to moral issues. The speaker will discuss some of the tools we use to make  decisions about difficult ethical issues, provide insight into why people arrive  at different conclusions regarding difficult issues, and discuss the challenges  people face in fulfilling their moral duties.

Love, Justice & Humility: A Bioethicist Meets the Pillow Angel - Using the widely publicized case of “Ashley X,” a disabled young girl with profound developmental disability whose parents sought to keep her small, the speaker will work through the case, highlight the ethical issues raised by the case, discuss the process followed by the hospital in resolving those issues, and discuss the broader issues and societal interests raised by the case.

Case Studies in Ethics: Question and Answers - Dr. Diekema will field ethical questions from the audience. When is it OK for medical authorities to overrule parental wishes? How does a family make life-ending decisions? What is the ideal government role in medicine?

2009 Seminars

Praying The Psalms – Dale Cooper – January 24, 2009

Dale Cooper served as chaplain of Calvin College for over 30 years.

Praying-the-Psalms:Introduction

Praying-the-Psalms:The Songs of God’s Holy Spirit - Focusing on the nature of the Psalms and what John Calvin calls”the songs of God’s Holy Spirit, given to the Church, to be sung (with the Son) back to the Father”

Praying-the-Psalms:Epiphanies of God in the Psalms – Trumpets, Ashes and Tears. Examining the range of human emotions captured in the Psalter. A discussion on the breadth and scope of the psalms, and how we may bring our entire experience, with its immense range of thoughts and feelings, before our Lord’s face.

Praying-the-Psalms:As Persons, Families, a Church- The ” how to’s” for using the Psalter to optimal spiritual benefit and advantage in the settings of our lives.

Psalms & Lament – Dr. Ron Nydam – March 21, 2009

Rev. Ron Nydam has served as pastor at Third Christian Reformed Church of Denver, Colorado, as Denver’s agency director of Pastoral Counseling and currently teaches pastoral care classes at Calvin Theological Seminary.

Psalms & Lament: Part 1

Psalms & Lament: Part 2

Psalms & Lament: Part 3

Psalms & Lament: Part 4

The Formative Power of The Psalms for Worship and Congregational Life – John Witvliet and Charlotte vanOyen Witvliet – June 12, 2009

John Witvliet, Ph.D. , is director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and professor of music and worship at Cal-College and Calvin Theological Seminary respectively. Charlotte vanOyen Witvliet, Ph. D., is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Hope College.

Formative Power of Psalms – Worship and Communion service

The Power of the Psalms in Worship

The Power of the Psalms in Forgiveness

The Power of the Psalms in Every Aspect of Congregational Life

2008 Seminars

Ancient-Future Discipleship: Growing Up in Jesus – David Rylaarsdam - January 19, 2008

David Rylaarsdam is Associate Professor of Historical Theology at Calvin Theological Seminary.

Growing Up In Jesus: Disciplines for Disciples- Learn about the identity and habits of Christian disciples.

Growing Up In Jesus: Got Rhythm – How to plan and be accountable for a realistic pattern of living.

Growing Up in Jesus: Ministry Leader as Spiritual Director- Discuss how ministry leaders and each of us can help people read the story of their lives. How the Spirit uses such spiritual direction to transform people’s way of life

Psalms Seminar – Tim Brown – November 1, 2008

Tim Brown has served as Pastor of Christ Memorial Church in Holland, Michigan, Teaching Professor of Western Seminary, Dean of Chapel at Hope College and is currently serving as President of Western Seminary.

Psalms Seminar: Part 1 In his rabbi style, Tim talks about Psalms used in ancient and contemporary spirituality   He also talks about unique settings for Psalms such as Passover and pilgrimage.

Psalms Seminar: Part 2 Speaking to our anxiety, Tim guides us through a close look at Psalm 3, when King David was running from his son Absalom. 

Psalms Seminar: Part 3 Using Peter’s pentecost sermon (acts 2) as a model, Tim helps us see how the Psalms shaped early Christian preaching. 

2007 Seminars

Understanding and Loving Our Muslim Neighbor – Pieter Tuit - October 13, 2007

Pieter Tuit was born and raised in the Netherlands. After immigrating to the U.S.A at the age of 18,  Pieter served the Christian Reformed Church of Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia, followed by missionary service in Timor, Indonesia working with the Protestant Evangelical Church of Timor in the area of seminary teaching, leadership training, evangelistic preaching and mentoring. For 8 years he served in the Philippines with Christian Reformed World Missions and the Christian Reformed Churches of the Philippines in the areas of church planting, church developing, leadership training, theological education and mentoring. He continues to be active in teaching and preaching in churches in the U.S.A and Canada. His special interests are the theology and practice of missions and evangelism.

This seminar discusses the following questions: What does the Muslim Believe? How do the Muslims Live their Faith? How can we Love the Muslim for Christ’s Sake?

Loving Our Muslim Neighbor: Part 1

Loving Our Muslim Neighbor: Part 2

Loving Our Muslim Neighbor: Part 3

Loving Our Muslim Neighbor: Part 4

Parenting Seminar – Dr. Ron Nydam – March 10, 2007

Parenting: Koala Bears and the Hearts of Children: The Critical Variable in Parenting : Bonding and ongoing attachment to parents in the mental health and spiritual well being of children. How to parent in confidence instead of by guessing.

Parenting: Parenting Young Children: The Principle of Optimal Frustration: Setting boundaries. What do young children need from us? How do love and discipline interface?

Parenting and Adolescents: Quarterbacking and End Run around Rebellion. What is the experience of young people today in our American culture?

Good Adoptive Parenting: Understanding the Adoptee’s Heart. What are the unique challenges adoptees face as they grow up with “new”parents? How adoptive parents can understand the challenges these children face.

2006 Seminars

Good Grief: Tools for Grief and Healing – Susan Zonnebelt-Smeenge & Robert C. De Vries – October 21, 2006

Susan J. Zonnebelt-Smeenge is a clinical psychologist at Pine Rest Mental Health Services. She is also a certified social worker and a registered nurse.
Robert C. De Vries is professor of church education emeritus at Calvin Theological Seminary and regularly conducts workshops and seminars on issues relating to adult education, youth ministry,and bereavement.

Good Grief: Imitating Job – How to Persevere in the Face of Loss

Good Grief: Preparing to Cross the Finish Line

Good Grief: The Manna Syndrome: Living Fully Moment by Moment

Good Grief: Care-giving for Those Who are In the Winter of Their Soul

The Messiness of Marriage – Dr. Ron Nydam – March 11, 2006

Rev. Ron Nydam has served as pastor at Third Christian Reformed Church of Denver, Colorado, as Denver’s agency director of Pastoral Counseling and currently teaches pastoral care classes at Calvin Theological Seminary

The Messiness of Marriage: Part 1

The Messiness of Marriage: Part 2

The Messiness of Marriage: Part 3

The Messiness of Marriage: Part 4

The Messiness of Marriage: Part 5