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THE
CALVIN STUDIES SOCIETY NEWSLETTER The
2003 Calvin Studies Society Colloquium: Randall
Zachman, Program Chair; Barbara Pitkin and Mark your calendars now for this important event and check back at a future date on the web site for detailed registration information. Confirmed speakers include: Irena Backus, Laurel Carrington, Darlene Flaming, R. Ward Holder, Amy Nelson-Burnett and Glenn Sunshine. John
Calvin and the Interpretation of Scripture Friday,
March 1, 2:00 p.m. Friday,
March 1, 4:00 p.m. Friday,
March 1, 7:00 p.m. Dinner Saturday,
March 2, 9:00 a.m. Saturday,
March 2, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Calvin
and Hermeneutics John
Calvin's Non-Literal Interpretation of Scripture Calvin
and Patterns of Identity in Reformed Theology Registration
is $20.00, and the Friday dinner is $15.00. Make checks payable to Columbia
Theological Seminary. Housing is available on campus on a first-come,
first-served basis. There is also the Holiday Inn Select (404-371-0204)
at $89 per night, with shuttle service. REPORT
ON THE 13th CSS COLLOQUIUM: Over 70 people attended the 13th Colloquium of the CSS: Calvin and the Church, May 24-26, 2001, at Calvin Theological Seminary. At the opening session Karin Maag, director of the Meeter Center for Calvin Studies and a board member of the CSS, introduced James DeJong, president of the Seminary and a long-time CSS member, who welcomed the attendees.
William Naphy of the University of Aberdeen presented the first paper,
"Calvin's Church and the Genevan State," in which he argued
that there was a "remarkable degree of consensus" in church-state
relations. Resistance to ministerial plans came not so much from the
state as an institution as from groups or individuals in the general
populace. Robert Kingdon, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was the
commentator. Karin Maag introduced Herman Selderhuis of the Theological University of Apeldoorn as the Meeter Center Biennial Lecturer. In "The Church on Stage: Calvin's Dynamic Ecclesiology," Selderhuis turned to Calvin's Psalms commentaries and the image of "theatre" to expound Calvin's ecclesiology, for, according to Prof. Selderhuis, a more complete and dynamic ecclesiology is found there than the in the Institutes. Ward Holder of Stonehill College presented questions and comments. Gene Haas, Redeemer University College, addressed the question: "Did Calvin's views contribute to the emphasis on individuality in modern ethics?" In "Calvin, the Church and Ethics," Prof. Haas argued that Calvin rejects the view that the believer is an individual subject before God, unshaped by the communal bonds of the church. Arie Griffoen of Calvin College was the commentator. As a result of reading a New York Times review ("John Calvin Got a Bad Rap") of Marilynne Robinson's The Death of Adam, John Hesselink of Western Theological Seminary wrote to the author about her interest in Calvin. After several letters and a visit to the University of Iowa where Prof. Robinson teaches, John suggested that the CSS invite Prof. Robinson to speak on the topic, "The Polemic against Calvin: The Origins and Consequences of Historical Investigation." John Bolt of Calvin Seminary offered reactions and comments. On Friday evening following a delicious meal prepared by the College Food Service, participants enjoyed an entertaining "Banchetto Musicale," a sixteenth and seventeenth centuries miscellany performed by Ruth Brook, Terry Hare, Calvin Stapert, Nancy Van Baak and Lisa Walhout. Karen Spierling of the University of Louisville discussed "Calvin, Baptism and Excommunication in 16th Century Geneva," arguing that for many Genevans family and economic ties were more important in the rite of baptism than piety. For men who wished to serve as Godparents even though they were barred from communion, the authorities determined that "he who is not capable of one is not capable of the other." Elsie McKee of Princeton Seminary was the respondent. "Children
and the Church in Calvin's Geneva" was presented by Barbara Pitkin
of Stanford University. To demonstrate that the Reformation in Geneva
brought significant changes to the place of children in the church,
Prof. Pitkin considered the ritual of baptism, methods of religious
instruction and participation in the Lord's Supper. John Hesselink provided
comments. OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS ANNOUNCED Election
results were announced at the 2001 Colloquium business meeting. Randall
Zachman was elected Vice-President and program chair for the
2003 Colloquium, while Barbara
Pitkin and Herman Selderhuis
were elected as members-at-large to the Board of Trustees. David
Foxgrover was re-elected Secretary-Treasurer. PLEASE
SUPPORT THE PUBLISHING OF THE 2001 PAPERS: Calvin
and the Church: The 2001 CSS Papers will be published later this spring,
and we are looking for contributions to help pay our costs. The new
format, begun with the papers from the 1995 and 1997 Colloquia, has
received wide support from our members and from libraries who purchase
our volumes. MEMBERSHIP
IN THE CALVIN STUDIES SOCIETY … Or, you may mail your check to the address below or e-mail your Visa or MC credit card number to David Foxgrover and a copy of the 1999 papers will be mailed to you immediately as well as a copy of the 2001 papers when they are published. Calvin
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