.
Collection Overview
Abstract
Minister of the Christian Reformed Church. Sermon outlines and topical files.
Biographical Note
John L. Schaver was born in Chicago on January 28, 1897. When he was still very young the Louis E. Schaver family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. He attended Oakdale Christian School, and later attended Calvin College and Theological Seminary. After graduation from the seminary, he was ordained in 1927 and accepted a call to New Era Christian Reformed Church in New Era, Michigan. Our collection has a "self-evaluation" sheet covering that period of his ministry.
His ministry at Lucas Christian Reformed Church began in November of 1932, and he served that congregation until 1945. His last congregation was in Oak Lawn, Illinois, where he ended his active ministry in 1951 due to ill health. The years of his retirement were spent in Detroit, Michigan, where he died on Friday, May 4, 1956. He was survived by his wife, Florence (Boonstra), and their five children.
For a number of years, the name Schaver was almost synonymous with Church Order. He authored The Polity of the Church in two volumes. One volume contains the Church Order of the Christian Reformed Church and the decisions of previous synods. The third edition was copyrighted in 1947. John Schaver also wrote a catechism book entitled Compendium Studies in 1939. He also served on the Board of Foreign Missions and as stated clerk of Classis Chicago North.
Our collection includes written notes on subjects ranging from Abraham to Mohammedanism (articles beyond "M" were not in his papers), notes on a few sermons, his notes of Bible books, and clippings for various magazines.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[
Series 1: Miscellaneous Papers, 1923-1951],
[
Series 2: Notes and Polity of the Churches Material, 1937-1947],
[Series 3: Miscellaneous Papers, 1925-1947],
[
All]
- Series 3: Miscellaneous Papers --- 1925-1947
- Box 3
- Folder 1: The Polity of the Churches, handwritten copy of University of Chicago bibliography
- Folder 2: Sermonic material:
- Item 1: Ascension – Luke 24:51
- Item 2: Christian Companionship
- Item 3: Contentment – Philippians 4:11b, 12
- Item 4: Death – Psalm 39:10
- Item 5: Easter Thoughts
- Item 6: Holy Spirit – Ephesians 4:30
- Item 7: Rejoice, Young Men – Ecclesiastes 11:9
- Item 8: Worthy Communion - I Corinthians 11:28
- Folder 3: Speech notes:
- Item 1: Foundation Stones of the Christian Schools, Lucas, 1940
- Item 2: Life, Oak Lawn, February 1946
- Item 3: Onward and Upward, March 20, 1946
- Item 4: The Spade and the Bible I and II
- Item 5: Vitamins for the Spirit, 1947, Oak Lawn
- Folder 4: Study notes on Ephesians, press clippings
- Folder 5: Study notes on I Corinthians for Ladies' Aid and Men's Society; Dutch, Exegesis in English
- Folder 6: Study notes on I John, outline from Federation Messenger; clippings --- 1936
- Folder 7: Study notes on Genesis, press clippings, Aalders on Genesis 2 and 3
- Folder 8: Study notes on Galatians, notes and press clippings
- Folder 9: Study notes on Hebrews, notes for New Era Men's Society, press clippings --- 1930-1932
- Folder 10: Study notes on Isaiah, exegesis of Isaiah 54:9-15 --- 1925
- Folder 11: Study notes on John's Gospel, notes and press clippings; outline from Federation Messenger
- Folder 12: Study notes on the Gospel of Mark, press clippings
Browse by Series:
[
Series 1: Miscellaneous Papers, 1923-1951],
[
Series 2: Notes and Polity of the Churches Material, 1937-1947],
[Series 3: Miscellaneous Papers, 1925-1947],
[
All]
