CRCpedia Article Assignment

By Joseph Ryu

Calvin Theological Seminary

A. Introduction

Calvin Theological Seminary (CTS) is a private graduate-level theological institution of the Reformed Christian tradition located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA). Established in 1876, the seminary serves as the official training institution for ministers of the CRCNA and prepares students for pastoral ministry, theological scholarship, and global Christian leadership. Its mission emphasizes forming leaders who are biblically grounded, theologically Reformed, contextually aware, and spiritually mature. The seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.

Closely connected historically to Calvin University, the seminary shares a common heritage rooted in Dutch Reformed immigrant communities, though the two institutions now function independently while maintaining collaborative ties.

CTS’ logo is a hand holding a heart inspired by the seal John Calvin used. The motto of the seminary reflects John Calvin’s own, “Cor meum tibi offero, domine, prompte et sincere,” translated in English, “My heart I offer to You Lord, promptly and sincerely.”

B. History

The idea of a theological school to train students for ministry is inseparable from the early development of the CRCNA, which was established in 1857 by Dutch immigrants seeking to preserve confessional Reformed theology in North America. As the denomination expanded, the need for trained pastors became increasingly urgent. Early ministers were often trained informally or abroad, which proved insufficient for a growing and geographically dispersed church. The denomination revealed a proposal to establish a theological school as early as 1870 but was postponed, as the church judged itself not yet ready. The following year in 1871, the assembly affirmed the necessity of such a school but again deferred action, choosing instead to prepare congregations for its support and sustainability. These early items of agenda demonstrate the theological seriousness with which the CRCNA approached ministerial training and yet the practical limitations as well.

Calvin University and CTS were formally established as one institution under the name De Theogische School in 1876 as the denominational theological school of the CRCNA. Initially modest in size, the seminary began with a small number of students and one docent, emphasizing rigorous theological instruction, catechetical training, and preparation for preaching and pastoral care. Curriculum included: Dutch, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, General History and Dutch History, Geography, Psychology, Logic, Rhetoric, Dogmatics, Hermeneutics, Exegetics, Isagogics, Church History, Symbolism and Practical Theology. Its early curriculum reflected the confessional commitments of the Reformed tradition.

In its earliest years, the institution combined preparatory education and theological training, eventually contributing to the development of a broader educational system that would later include Calvin University. While still under one board of trustees, the need for a greater distinction between the liberal arts education and the seminary training for ministry grew over time. It began in 1906 with the opening of the John Calvin Junior College, later becoming Calvin College in 1908. By 1920, Calvin College became a four-year college and the schools were once again renamed in 1931 as Calvin College and Seminary. In 1991, Calvin College and Seminary finally became two separate corporations, each with its own board of trustees.

Throughout the 20th century, CTS experienced significant institutional growth. It expanded its faculty, formalized degree programs, and broadened its curriculum to include biblical studies, systematic theology, church history, and practical theology. The seminary relocated to the Knollcrest campus in Grand Rapids in 1960, placing it in proximity to Calvin University and strengthening institutional collaboration. During this period, the seminary also began to engage more intentionally with global Christianity, missions, and ecumenical dialogue. It increasingly welcomed international students and developed programs aimed at equipping leaders for ministry beyond North America. Currently, the seminary is focusing on the expansion of global partnerships and student diversity, the development of online and hybrid educational models and increased focus on leadership formation and contextual ministry.

During the 2025-26 school year, CTS and Calvin University celebrated 150 years of Reformed theological education, and have reaffirmed the seminary’s enduring role in shaping leaders for the church. Looking forward, the institution has reaffirmed a vision to strengthen pastoral formation, deepen theological clarity, and equip leaders for a rapidly changing cultural landscape.

C. Academics

CTS offers a range of graduate-level programs designed to prepare students for ministry. Degree programs include:

Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Bible and Theology (M.A.B.T.)

Christian Leadership (M.A.C.L)

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.A.C.M.H.C.)

Formacion de Liderazgo (M.A.F.L.)

Missional Theology (M.A.M.T.)

Certificate in Christian Leadership

Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)

The Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidacy

D. Institutes and Centers

The seminary also is home to several institutes and centers that extend its educational mission, including:

Calvin Institute of Church Worship

Calvin Prison Initiative

Center for Excellence in Preaching

The Bavinck Institute at Calvin Seminary

The H. Henry Meeter Center for Calvin Studies

The Institute for Mission, Church, and Culture

These centers provide continuing education, research opportunities, and resources for churches and ministry leaders.

E. Publications

Calvin Theological Seminary contributes to both academic theology and church life through its publications:

The Calvin Theological Journal is a peer-reviewed journal featuring scholarly articles in biblical studies, theology, and ethics.

The Forum Magazine is a publication addressing contemporary ministry issues, theological reflection, and pastoral practice.

F. Governance and Leadership

CTS is governed by synod of the CRCNA through a board of trustees appointed by synod. The seminary is led by a president approved by the board of trustees and ratified by synod and oversees the academic and institutional direction of the seminary. Over its history, the seminary has been shaped by influential theologians and leaders within the Reformed tradition. The following is a list of presidents of the school:

Geert Egberts Boer, Docent (1876-1902)

Albertus J. Rooks, Principal (1900-1919)

John Hiemenga (1919-1925)

Johannes Broene (1930-1933)

Louis Berkhof. (1931-1944)

Samuel Volbeda (1944-1952)

Rienk B. Kuiper (1952-1956)

John H. Kromminga (1956-1983)

James A. De Jong (1983-2003)

Cornelius Plantinga Jr. (2002-2011)

Julius T. Medenblik (2011-current)

The Franklin Campus. Home of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary from 1917 to 1973

Knollcrest campus Seminary Building completed in 1960.

Calvin Theological Seminary Building in Grand Rapids, MI.

Bibliography

Bolt, John. For Truth and Liberty. For Course 5584O Only.

Buller, Grace. “Sibling institutions”: Understanding the relationship between Calvin University

and Calvin Theological Seminary. Calvin Chimes, calvinchimes.org/2023/03/19/sibling-institutions-understanding-the-relationship-between-calvin-university-and-calvin/.

Calvin Theological Seminary. About. Calvin Theological Seminary, calvinseminary.edu/about/.

Calvin Theological Seminary. Impact Report 2023. Calvin Theological Seminary,

calvinseminary.edu/impact-reports/2023/.

Calvin University. History. Calvin University, calvin.edu/about/history.

Calvin University. Calvin Seal. Calvin University, calvin.edu/about/history/calvin-seal.html.

Calvin University. Seminary and University Timeline. Calvin University,

calvin.edu/150/timeline.

Calvin Hekman Library. Minutes, Acts, and Agendas of Synod. Calvin University,

library.calvin.edu/hh/acts-of-synod#1857-1869.

Calvin Heckman Library. Calvin Theological Seminary Collection. Calvin University,

library.calvin.edu/hh/seminary-collection.

Christian Reformed Church of North America. Church Order and Its Supplements 2025

Matt Kucinski. Celebrating 150 Years of Christ-Centered Education. The Banner,

thebanner.org/our-shared-ministry/2025/09/celebrating-150-years-of-christ-centered-education.

Medenblik, Jul. Calvin Theological Seminary: A Living Tradition of Service for the 21st

Century. Calvin Theological Seminary,

calvinseminary.edu/blog/calvin-theological-seminary-a-living-tradition-of-service-for-the-21st-century/.

Jolly, Leah. Looking Forward: Calvin Theological Seminary’s Vision for the Next 150 Years.

The Banner, thebanner.org/our-shared-ministry/2025/05/looking-forward-calvin-theological-seminarys-vision-for-the-next-150.

Footnotes

https://calvinseminary.edu/about/

https://calvinseminary.edu/about/accreditation/

https://calvin.edu/about/history

1870 General Assembly Minutes Art. 32 “Rev. Vander Werp proposes, whether it would be good to establish a theological school for training students for the ministry? After various exchanges of ideas about this, the assembly decides that our church is not yet ready for this, and therefore to continue the training for another year on the existing basis…”

Bolt, John. For Truth and Liberty (personal use for course 5584O)

https://library.calvin.edu/hh/acts-of-synod#1857-1869

https://calvinseminary.edu/blog/ calvin-theological-seminary-a-living-tradition-of-service-for-the-21st-century/

https://calvin.edu/150/timeline

https://www.thebanner.org/ our-shared-ministry/2025/09/celebrating-150-years-of-christ-centered-education

https://calvinchimes.org/2023/03/19/ sibling-institutions-understanding-the-relationship-between-calvin-university-and-calvin/

https://calvinseminary.edu/impact-reports/2023/

https://www.thebanner.org/ our-shared-ministry/2025/05/looking-forward-calvin-theological-seminarys-vision-for-the-next-150

https://calvinseminary.edu/academics/

https://worship.calvin.edu/about/mission

https://calvin.edu/prison-initiative

https://calvinseminary.edu/academics/seminary-institutes-and-ministry-centers/

https://cepreaching.org/

https://bavinckinstitute.org/

https://calvin.edu/meeter-center

https://calvinseminary.edu/imcc/

https://calvinseminary.edu/calvin-theological-journal/

https://theforum.calvinseminary.edu/media?topic=forum-magazine-article

CRCNA. Church Order and Its Supplements 2025: Article 19. “The churches shall maintain a theological seminary at which persons are trained for the ministry of the Word. The seminary shall be governed by synod through a board of trustees appointed by synod and responsible to it.”

https://library.calvin.edu/hh/seminary-collection

https://calvin.edu/about/history/calvin-seal.html