Gerard Van Groningen Collection, 1951-2007 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

By Ed Gerritsen, February 2004 and April 2011

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Collection Overview

Title: Gerard Van Groningen Collection, 1951-2007

ID: COLL/291

Primary Creator: Van Groningen, Gerard, Sr. (1921-)

Extent: 19.0 Cubic Feet. More info below.

Arrangement: Folder level description

Abstract

Minister of the Christian Reformed Church; professor at Reformed Theological College at Geelong, Australia; Dordt College at Sioux Center, Iowa; and Reformed Theological Seminary at Jackson, Mississippi; president of Trinity College at Palos Heights, Illinois; chairman of the Old Testament department at Andrew Jumper Theological Graduate Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil; and president of Christ for Russia. The collection includes addresses; sermons; chapel talks; devotionals; lectures; conference messages; articles; college materials; periodical clippings; general and family correspondence; family diaries; memoirs; papers; scrapbook; course materials; study guides; book manuscripts; and letters of call; correspondence and documents detailing Christ for Russia and International Theological Evangelical Ministries (ITEM); materials on the Latvia/RIGA program; and materials detailing various committees and positions served. Among the topics included are missions, various form of modernism facing the church, biblical revelation, and covenant. [See also the Campus Titles Database.]

Biographical Note

An ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church, Dr. Gerard Van Groningen Sr. earned his doctorate from the University of Melbourne in 1970. He was born in Leota, Minnesota on 25 March 1921 to Hendrick and Jennie. The family later moved to Ripon, California. Van Groningen enrolled at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. When he received his BD at Calvin Theological Seminary, he began his active ministry in the Borculo (Michigan) Christian Reformed Church, preaching his inaugural sermon Sunday, 2 October 1955. Classis Zeeland had admitted him to the ministry in a session 14 September 1955.

The ministry in the Borculo congregation ended when he and his family moved to Australia in 1958. The work in Australian continued until 1971. During that period, he served as minister of the Christian Reformed Church of Geelong, 1958-1961; Professor of Old Testament at the Reformed Theological Seminary, Geelong, Australia, 1961-1971.

Next the family moved to Iowa where he served as Professor of Bible at Dordt College from 1971-1973. The next few years, 1973-1980, he was professor of Old Testament at the Reformed Theological Seminary at Jackson, Mississippi. Before his retirement in 1984, Van Groningen was President of Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois. While a heart condition limited his activities, he served as Adjunct Professor Emeritus at the Covenant Theological Seminary from 1985.

Among his writings are "Messianism in the Old Testament" and chapters in symposiums: "Genesis" in Interpreting God's Word Today (Baker); "The Final Question" in The Law and the Prophets (Reformed and Presbyterian Press); and "Australia and New Zeeland" in Lengthened Cords (Baker), in addition to Theological essays in Encyclopedia of Christianity, Theological Handbook of the Old Testament, and Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Ed. W. Elwell).

Van Groningen married Harriet Stuitje in 1949 and they have eight children, Betty Jane, Gerard Jr., John Philip, Willis Dean, Jay Henry, Beverly Grace, David Tom, and Charles Neil.

Administrative Information

Repository: Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Alternate Extent Statement: 38 Boxes

Acquisition Source: G. Van Groningen

Other Note: Acc. No. 03.25 and 11.06

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Ministerial Activities. Addresses],
[Series 2: Addresses. College Material],
[Series 3: Diaries, Scrapbook],
[Series 4: The Unfinished Book],
[Series 5: Letters, 1967-1976],
[Series 6: Letters from Parents, 1954-1971],
[Series 7: Letters to Parents from Australia, 1959-1971],
[Series 8: Correspondence, 1958-1997],
[Series 9: Papers],
[Series 10: Sermons and Lectures],
[Series 11: Correspondence],
[Series 12: Course Materials],
[All]

Series 9: Papers

Box 14

Folder 5: Material on Trinity Christian College Presidency
Folder 6-7: Various Papers Written by Van Groningen
Folder 8: Papers: Universal Recipients of Gospel in the Old Testament, Nahum - Messenger of Vengeance, The Sons of the Prophets
Folder 9: Paper: A Philosophy of Science by William Van Groningen (son)
Folder 10: Paper for C. Van Till, "Product of Paganism: Increasingly Consistent Paganism"
Folder 11: Paper for R. B. Kuiper, "The Progress of World Missions"
Folder 12: Draft on Commentary of I and II Kings
Folder 13: Commentary of Numbers written for The Evangelical Commentary of the Bible (Baker Book House) --- 1988
Folder 14: Chapter on Genesis written for the Symposium on Interpreting Scripture --- 1968

Box 15

Folder 1: College Papers, Reports, and Notes
Folder 2: Documents re: PhD Studies at the University of Melbourne --- 1962
Folder 3: Report of Examiners on his Thesis for PhD
Folder 4: Articles for Renewal
Folder 5: Renewal Articles on Salvation
Folder 6: History of the Reformed Theological Seminary
Folder 7: Speeches on Christian Physical Education
Folder 8: Speech on Preaching
Folder 9: Commencement Address and Inaugural Address at Trinity Christian College --- 1980, 1983
Folder 10: Speeches: "That Final Question" and "No Tower of Babel Possible"
Folder 11: Book, The Sabbath - Sunday Problem
Folder 12: Class work Outline for Old Testament Biblical Theology
Folder 13: Letters Received from Legislators in Response to Van Groningen Letters

Box 16

Folder 1: Personal Diary --- 1993
Folder 2: Personal Diary --- 1993-1994
Folder 3: Personal Diary --- 1993
Folder 4: Personal Diary --- 1994
Folder 5: Personal Diary --- 1994-1995
Folder 6: Personal Diary --- 1995
Folder 7: Personal Diary --- 1996
Folder 8: Personal Diary --- 1996-1997

Box 17

Folder 1: Personal Diary --- 1997-1998
Folder 2: Personal Diary --- 1998-1999
Folder 3: Personal Diary --- 1999-2000
Folder 4: Personal Diary --- 2000
Folder 5: Memoirs and Related Material --- 1964-1966
Folder 6: Memoirs and Related Material --- 1968-1970

Box 18

Folder 1: General Correspondence --- 1964-1965
Folder 2: General Correspondence --- 1967
Folder 3: General Correspondence --- 1970
Folder 4: General Correspondence --- 1971
Folder 5: General Correspondence --- 1972
Folder 6: General Correspondence --- 1973
Folder 7: General Correspondence --- 1975-1979
Folder 8: General Correspondence --- 1996-1998
Folder 9: General Correspondence --- 1999-2001
Folder 10: General Correspondence --- 1999-2000

Box 19

Folder 1: Correspondence with Family --- 1998
Folder 1A: Correspondence with Family --- 1999
Folder 2: Correspondence with Family --- 1999
Folder 3: Correspondence with Family --- 1999
Folder 4: Correspondence with Family --- 2000
Folder 5: Correspondence with Family --- 2000-2001
Folder 6: Correspondence with Family --- 1999-2002

Box 20

Folder 1: Correspondence with Family --- 2002
Folder 2: Correspondence with L. Stout --- 1998-1999
Folder 3: Correspondence with L. Stout --- 1999-2000
Folder 4: Correspondence with L. Stout - RIGA --- 2000-2001
Folder 5: Correspondence with L. Stout --- 2001-2002
Folder 6: Correspondence with A. Celmins - RIGA Reformed Theological Seminary --- 2001-2002
Folder 7: Correspondence withus Lopes --- August
Folder 8: Correspondence with Daniel Santos

Box 21

Folder 1: Correspondence with South Africa --- 1975
Folder 2: Correspondence with Fernando Meister (South Africa)
Folder 3: Correspondence with Dordt College re book: Creation to Consummation
Folder 4: Correspondence with Richard Venema --- 2001
Folder 5: Correspondence with Barbara Granick --- 1998
Folder 6: Correspondence re: Staffing of RIGA Seminary
Folder 7: Correspondence re: publishing book, The Covenant Family --- 1999-2000
Folder 8: Correspondence re: publishing book, The Covenant Family, 1996
Folder 9: Correspondence re: Gerard Van Groningen's book, Messianic Revelation in the Old Testament
Folder 10: Correspondence re: publication of book, Messianic Revelation in the Old Testament

Box 22

Folder 1: Correspondence re: Translation of Messianic Revelation in the Old Testament into Portuguese
Folder 2: Correspondence re: Symposium on Sabbath Observance
Folder 3: Correspondence re: Neo Pentecostalism
Folder 4: Correspondence re: Reformed Theological College in Australia --- 1961-1963
Folder 5: Correspondence re: RIGA Reformed Theological Seminary --- 1998-1999
Folder 6: Correspondence re: Brazilian Presbyterian Church
Folder 7: Correspondence re: Brazilian Theological Seminary
Folder 8: Correspondence re: Staffing of RIGA Seminary
Folder 9: Correspondence re: Issues of Concern in Christian Reformed Church
Folder 10: Correspondence from Foreign Mission Board --- 1958-1961
Folder 11: Correspondence from Foreign Mission Board --- 1965-1967

Box 23

Folder 1: Correspondence from Foreign Mission Board --- 1968-1971
Folder 2: Material/Correspondence: International Theological Education Ministries (ITEM)
Folder 3: Correspondence/Material Dealing with the Dismissal of (7) Professors at the Presbyterian Church of Brazil Graduate Center
Folder 4: Reports/Correspondence with Foreign Mission Board --- 1965-1970
Folder 5: Material re: Student Days at Calvin College
Folder 6: Material re: Seven Students Grievances against certain Calvin Professors
Folder 7: Material re: Presidency of Trinity Christian College
Folder 8: Material on Conference on Institutions for Christian Higher Education --- 1981
Folder 9: Material on Brazilian Presbyterian Church

Box 24

Folder 1: Material re: Ministerial Credentials
Folder 2: Material re: Homosexuality
Folder 3: Material re: Homeschooling
Folder 4: Material re: Brazilian Theological Scholarships
Folder 5: Material from Conference on Educational Institutions for Christian Higher Education --- 1978
Folder 6: Material from Conference on Educational Institutions for Christian Higher Education --- 1978
Folder 7: Material on Pentecostalism
Folder 8: Material on Latvia/RIGA Seminary Program
Folder 9: Material on Latvia/RIGA Seminary Program

Box 25

Folder 1: Paper on Bible-Religion-Theology at Dordt College
Folder 2: Papers given at Conference for Christian Educators at Trinity Christian College --- 1983
Folder 3: Paper: Educational Emphasis in the early Christian Reformed Church
Folder 4: Papers/Articles on Current Christian Reformed Church Issues
Folder 5: Papers on: The Bible as the Word of God
Folder 6: Papers by Association for the Advancement of Christian Scholarship Faculty and Related Correspondence --- 1973
Folder 7: Paper: What was Africa?
Folder 8: Book: The Covenant Family, pages 1-117
Folder 9: Book: The Covenant Family, pages 118-254
Folder 10: Talk Given on Dating/Sex
Folder 11: Biblical Theology Course in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Box 26

Folder 1: "History of Confessions" Course Material
Folder 2: Thesis on Old Testament Concept of Divine Jealousy
Folder 3: Study guide on Ezekiel
Folder 4: Study guide on the Covenant
Folder 5: Study of Genesis 37-50
Folder 6: International Theological Education Ministries Board Minutes and Related Material
Folder 7: International Theological Education Ministries Publications
Folder 8: International Theological Education Ministries Executive Committee Minutes and Related Material
Folder 9: Doctrinal Statements of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil
Folder 10: Joint Committee Report, Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Brazil
Folder 11: Minutes of Joint Committee on Missions, Presbyterian Church of Brazil

Box 27

Folder 1: Youth Herald articles
Folder 2: Reports to the Foreign Missions Board --- 1958-1962
Folder 3: Association of Christian Reformed Laymen News Bulletins
Folder 4: Copy of Fides Reformata
Folder 5: RIGA Reformed Theological Seminary Administrative Material
Folder 6: Guest Editorial for Trowel and Sword, All One Body…In Australia?
Folder 7: Mackenzie Presbyterian Institute Anniversary Book
Folder 8: Trinity Christian College 25th Anniversary Booklet
Folder 9: 25th Anniversary Booklet, First Christian Reformed Church, Ripon, California
Folder 10: 75th Anniversary Booklet, Borculo, Michigan Christian Reformed Church
Folder 11: 75th Anniversary Booklet, Grandville Avenue, Michigan Christian Reformed Church
Folder 12: 25th Anniversary Booklet, Immanuel, Ripon, California Christian Reformed Church
Folder 13: 25th Anniversary Booklet, Ripon, California Christian Schools

Box 28

Folder 1: Book: From Creation to Consummation, Part I and II
Folder 2: Book: From Creation to Consummation, Part III
Folder 3: Reformed Theological College Catalogue and Handbooks
Folder 4: Reformed Churches in Australia Yearbook --- 1986
Folder 5: Resume, College Transcripts, Contract with Trinity Christian College
Folder 6: Letters of Call
Folder 7: Class Record Book
Folder 8: Army Records
Folder 9: Mrs. Van Groningen's Diaries of Trips --- 1998-2002

Box 29

Folder 1: Christ for Russia Project Material --- 1994-2000
Folder 2: Publicity for Christ for Russia Project --- early 1990s
Folder 3: Christ for Russia Correspondence --- 1993-2002
Folder 4: Riga Reformed Theological Seminary Administrative Material --- 1998-2003
Folder 5: Material re; Resident Professor Search for RIGA Seminary --- 1999-2003
Folder 6: Pictures (not photo quality) of RIGA Seminary --- 1998-1999, undated
Folder 7: RRTS. Board Minutes --- 2003
Folder 8: Material re: CTS-RRTS Access Program --- 2001-2003
Folder 9: ITEM Executive Committee Minutes --- 1999
Folder 10: Christ for Latvia Committee Minutes --- 1998

Box 30

Folder 1: Correspondence with Leon Pannkuk --- 1999-2004
Folder 2: Correspondence with Duane Sjaardema --- 2003-2004
Folder 3: Correspondence with Edward Hartman --- 2003
Folder 4: Correspondence with Rod Gorter --- 2002-2006
Folder 5: Correspondence with Artis Celmins --- 2002-2003
Folder 6: Correspondence with Artis Celmins --- 2003-2004
Folder 7: Correspondence with Larry Stout --- 2002-2006
Folder 8: Correspondence with Larry Sibley --- 2003-2005
Folder 9: Correspondence with Merle and Donna Messer --- 2003-2004
Folder 10: Correspondence with Nickolay Girdyuk --- 2003