After a lengthy summer break from normal (but not special!) activities, the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary will begin its 2024-25 semester next week, August 26, with full classes beginning on Tuesday, August 27.
After a busy summer involving trips to Mexico, England, Northern Ireland, and various places in the U.S. and Canada, the faculty and students are ready to dig into their regular teaching and studies, and the staff is ready to welcome everyone back.
Prof. R. Cammenga has officially retired from the PRTS after nearly 20 years of service, and Prof. B. Huizinga is taking over the rest of his predecessor's courses this year in the field of Dogmatics and OT Studies. Prof. Cammenga will still assist with one class, NT History, and will teach the 2025 Interim course on the theology of John Calvin.
Also continuing this coming year, Prof. C. Griess will take on more classes in his field of Pastoral theology and NT Studies from Prof. B. Gritters, who will continue to teach several classes in that area also during this time of transition.
Prof. D. Kuiper continues with his full courses in the field of Church history and NT Studies, as well as serving as rector of the seminary.
Senior Aaron Van Dyke is doing his internship this summer and first semester (until the end of the year) in Wingham (Ontario, Canada) PRC under the supervision of her Consistory and the mentorship of Rev. D. Holstege. He is already involved in many aspects of the work as he learns in practical ways from a seasoned pastor how to shepherd a congregation.
As far as the other class levels are concerned, the PRTS has one junior student (Bruce Feenstra), one sophomore (Isaac van Baren) and two freshmen (Joseph Dick and Joe Ophoff). There are also two students starting pre-seminary Greek from Prof. Griess this Fall.
With regard to auditing classes this Fall, the seminary faculty invite interested persons to audit five classes this first semester. Prof. Huizinga’s class of Dogmatics – Christology, a study of the person and work of Christ. Prof. Cammenga’s class of NT History – From the intertestamental period through the life of Christ, up to the passion week. Prof. Kuiper’s class of Hermeneutics – a study of the principles and method of biblical interpretation. Prof. Kuiper’s class of Ancient Church History – a study of the church’s history and doctrinal development from AD 100-590. Prof. Griess’s class of Catechetics is open to past and current elders. Please contact the secretary, Bethany Engelsma, at 616-531-1490 or seminarysecretary@prca.org if you are interested in attending one of these classes and she can provide you with more information. The class schedule is posted on the PRC Seminary website.
Our offices are staffed by registrar/librarian/archivist Charles Terpstra and secretary Bethany Engelsma, who are always happy to assist our seminary 'family' and our visitors. Kevin Rau assists in library and archives two days a week.
And finally, the annual Seminary Convocation will be hosted by Byron Center PRC on Wednesday, September 4, at 7:00 p.m. Professor C. Griess will be speaking on "The Spoiled Pastor" from Colossians 2:8-10. All are invited and encouraged to attend. For those outside of the West Michigan area, look for notice of the livestream of this event.
We commit this new season of instruction to the Lord and His sustaining grace. Will you remember to pray for us "on the hill'? We covet that prayer support!
