Gordon J. Spykman (March 1926- July 1993) was Professor Emeritus of Religion and Theology at Calvin College. He taught at Calvin College from 1959 for 32 years and was was a Christian Reformed minister (Blenheim, ON, 1955-59). He graduated with an AB from Calvin College in 1949, obtained a ThB from Calvin Theological Seminary and competed a ThD at the Free University (1955). His dissertation was published as Attrition and Contrition at the Council of Trent, it was supervised by G. C. Berkouwer.
Obituary
Richard R. De Ridder. 1993. “In memoriam: Rev. Gordon J. Spykman.” Banner. 128. September 20, 1993. 24.
Gerrit Jan Beuker 1993. “Gordon John (Gerrit Jan) Spykman (1926 – 1993)” Der Grenzbote 8 August [In German]
On Spykman
Bishop, Steve “Everything Matters: Gordon Spykman—A Neo-Calvinist Theologian,” Pro Rege: Vol. 52: No. 3 (2024), 1–15.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.dordt.edu/pro_rege/vol52/iss3/1
Books
1955. Attrition and Contrition at the Council of Trent. Kok: Kampden. (270 pages)
1965. Teach me Thy Way. (with J M Snapper). CRC: Grand Rapids.
1967. Christian Faith in Focus. Baker: Grand Rapids. (Also 1992 Paideia Press: Jordan Station)
1969. Never on your own. Board of Publications of the Christian Reformed Church.
1976. Pioneer Preacher, Albertus Christiaan Van Raalte: A Study of His Sermon Notes. Grand Rapids.
1977-79 Study Guide Promise and Deliverance. Vol I, II Paideia: St Catherine’s.
1980. Society, State, and Schools. (editor) CCCS/ Eerdmans: Grand Rapids.
1981. Men and Women: Partners in Service with Lillian V. Grissen. Bible Way
1981. A College at the Crossroads. Paideia Press.
1983. RES Testimony on Human Rights. RES: Grand Rapids.
1984. Calvinism in America – Review and Reflections. F1 no 193. IRS, PU for CHE: Potchefstroom.
1985. Spectacles: Biblical Perspectives on Christian Scholarship. PU for CHE: Potchefstroom.
1988. Let My People Live: Faith and Struggle in Central America Softcover, United Reformed Church, ISBN 0802803733 (0-8028-0373-3)
1990. Human Rights: A Biblical Study. CRC Pubns.
1992. Reformational Theology: A New Paradigm for Doing Dogmatics. Eerdmans: Grand Rapids
Chapters in books
1966. ‘How to read the Bible’ in With Heart and Mouth (Wedge: Toronto)
1977. ‘The place and role of the Bible in school‘. In G. J. Steensma and H. W. Van Brummelen (eds.) Shaping School Curriculum: A Biblical View. Terre Haute: Signal Publishing ch 1.
1977. ‘Biblical studies‘. In G. J. Steensma and H. W. Van Brummelen (eds.) Shaping School Curriculum: A Biblical View. Terre Haute: Signal Publishing ch 7.
1981. ‘Theology and preaching’ in Pespectives Reformees (River: Paris)
1981. ‘A new look at election/reprobation’ in Life is Religion (Paideia: St Catherine’s)
1982. ‘Beyond words to action‘ in Confessing Christ and Doing Politics ed. James Skillen (CPJ: Washington)
1984. How is scripture normative in Christian ethics? In The Interpretation of Scripture Today: RES Theological Conference, Chicago 1984. Grand Rapids, MI.: Reformed Ecumenical Synod, 1984 (pp. 39-57).
1986. ‘Confessing the Reformed Faith Today’ in John Bolt (ed.) Othodoxy and Orthopraxis in the Reformed Community Today (Christian Reformed perspectives, vol 1) (Paideia: Jordan Station) ch4.
1996. ‘The institutional church in history‘ in Rediscovery of the Church F1 no 341. IRS, PU for CHE: Potchefstroom.
Articles
In reverse chronological order
1993
Thoughts on creation order Theological Forum Vol. XXI, No. 4, December.
1992
Binding Christians to the law; Christ, Lord of history. Part 2 of 2. With Watson, David K.. Banner. 127. March 30, 1992. 12-14.
Binding Christians to the law; Christ, Lord of history. Part 1 of 2. With Watson, David K.. Banner. 127. March 23, 1992. 4-6.
Theology queen or servant? Orientation: international circular of the PU for CHE; nos. 63-66. 13-23.
1991
Religion and theology: Gordon Spykman. Calvin Spark. 37. June 1991. 37.
1989
Bridge over troubled waters. With Davies, Arthur; Bydeley, Steve. Banner. 124. April 3, 1989. 12-13.
1988
Bahnsen’s Theonomics Re-Visited Transformation 1988 (Vol. 5, No. 3, page 29)
1987
Despised and rejected…yet highly exalted. Christian Renewal. 5. April 13, 1987. 1,18.
Afrikanerdom and Apartheid: Churches in Turmoil Journal of Law and Religion, Inc.
1986
Roundtable: Liberation Theology. With Cook, Guillermo; Lopez-Gonzaga, Violetta; De Koster, Lester Ronald, 1915- ; Vacaguzman, Gerardo. Dialogue. December 1986. 9.
Fundamentalism in the CRC: A critique. Pro Rege. 15. September 1986. 10-21.
Commemorating Calvin’s ‘little book’. Banner. 121. May 19, 1986. 6-7.
The Holy Spirit. Christian Renewal. 4. May 19, 1986. 12,18.
The person of Christ. Christian Renewal. 4. May 5, 1986. 14.
Common grace. Christian Renewal. 4. April 21, 1986. 12.
Three-lettered reality: S-I-N. Christian Renewal. 4. April 7, 1986. 10.
Angels and demons. Christian Renewal. 4. March 17, 1986. 12.
What is man?. Christian Renewal. 4. March 3, 1986. 12.
The providence of God. Christian Renewal. 4. February 17, 1986. 12.
God the creator. With Bakker, Jan W. Christian Renewal. 4. February 3, 1986. 12.
The trinity. Christian Renewal. 4. January 20, 1986. 12.
Our knowledge of God. Christian Renewal. 4. January 6, 1986. 12,19.
1985
The marks of the Bible. Christian Renewal. 4. December 16, 1985. 12,13.
Scripture: our canon for faith and life. Christian Renewal. 4. December 2, 1985. 13.
“Beginnings” – A Few Thoughts in Passing. Dialogue. December 1985. 6.
The inspiration and infallibility of Scripture. Christian Renewal. 4. November 18, 1985. 12,13.
Religion and revelation. Christian Renewal. 4. November 4, 1985. 12,15.
What is religion?. Christian Renewal. 4. October 21, 1985. 12,15.
1984
Human Rights: A Selective Bibliography Transformation Vol. 1, No. 3
Elect in Christ. Banner. 119. April 2, 1984. 8-9.
1983
Biblical authority and the scientific enterprise. Pro Rege. 5. December 1976. 11-17.
The U.S. election from a Christian perspective; a Christian alternative. Banner. 111. October 22, 1976. 7-9.
1975
Symposium: The American Dream. Dialogue. October 1975. 17.
1974
The D.I.S. Israel Tour, 1973. DIS Magazine. 4. March 1974. 22-24.
The Tower of Babel Vanguard July/August 23-25.
1973
The Christian Conscience vs. Political Evil. With Muller, Lynn; Monsma, George N.; Mouw, Richard J.; Essenburg, Sheryl; Monsma, Stephen V.; Brouwer, Douglas J.; Vander Kooi, Benjamin. Dialogue. December 1973. 7.
Biblical authority. Part 5 of 5. Banner. 108. February 2, 1973. 12-13.
Biblical authority. Part 4 of 5. Banner. 108. January 26, 1973. 10-12.
Biblical authority. Part 3 of 5. Banner. 108. January 19, 1973. 8-9.
Biblical authority. Part 2 of 5. Banner. 108. January 12, 1973. 8-9.
Biblical authority. Part 1 of 5. Banner. 108. January 5, 1973. 8-9.
A Confessional Hermeneutic Alternative to the Historical-Critical Method. The Reformed Ecumenical Synod Theological Bulletin (December), Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 1-13.
1972
RES report, 1972. Banner. 107. October 27, 1972. 21,23.
In obedience to Scripture and in loyalty to the creeds. Banner. 107. January 7, 1972. 12-14.
1971
A Case for Christian Political Action: NACPA. Dialogue. December 10, 1971. 19.
Hand in hand with the Heidelberger. Banner. 106. January 1, 1971. 12-13.
1970
Moralism revisited. Christian Educators Journal. 10. November 1970. 9-12.
Charting our course. Banner. 105. September 18, 1970. 8-9.
1968
Reflections on ecumenism today. Banner. 103. December 6, 1968. 10-11.
A response to a response to “A Christian liberal arts education.’. Christian Educators Journal. 7. May 1968. 27-31.
Letters to young Christians. Part 8 of 8. Young Calvinist. 49. April 1968. 26-27.
Letters to young Christians. Part 7 of 8. Young Calvinist. 49. March 1968. 26-27.
Carefree Christianity. Young Calvinist. 49. February 1968. 27.
Letters to young Christians. Part 6 of 8. Young Calvinist. 49. February 1968. 26-17.
Radical Christianity. Young Calvinist. 49. February 1968. 26.
Letters to young Christians. Part 5 of 8. Young Calvinist. 49. January 1968. 26-27.
1967
Letters to young Christians. Part 4 of 8. Young Calvinist. 48. December 1967. 30-31.
Luther’s road to reformation. Banner. 102. November 17, 1967. 4-5.
Letters to young Christians. Part 3 of 8. Young Calvinist. 48. November 1967. 30-31.
The sanctity of sex. Young Calvinist. 48. November 1967. 31.
The urge to kill. Young Calvinist. 48. November 1967. 30.
Letters to young Christians. Part 2 of 8. Young Calvinist. 48. October 1967. 30-31,37.
Letters to young Christians. Part 1 of 8. Young Calvinist. 48. September 1967. 29-31.
Do you really love me?. Young Calvinist. 48. April 1967. 10.
Talks with Jesus. Part 8 of 8. Young Calvinist. 48. April 1967. 10-11.
Who art thou Lord?. Young Calvinist. 38. April 1967. 11.
Hearts aflame. Young Calvinist. 48. March 1967. 11.
Remember me!. Young Calvinist. 48. March 1967. 10.
Talks with Jesus. Part 7 of 8. Young Calvinist. 48. March 1967. 10-11.
Talks with Jesus. Part 6 of 8. Young Calvinist. 48. February 1967. 8-9.
Teacher, tell us… Young Calvinist. 48. February 1967. 8.
What is truth?. Young Calvinist. 48. February 1967. 9.
I am the resurrection and the life. Young Calvinist. 48. January 1967. 9.
Little forgiveness…little love. Young Calvinist. 48. January 1967. 8.
Talks with Jesus. Part 5 of 8. Young Calvinist. 48. January 1967. 8-9.
1966
‘Children’s bread to the dogs.’. Young Calvinist. 47. December 1966. 12.
Talks with Jesus. Part 4 of 8. Young Calvinist. 47. December 1966. 12-13.
Who is my neighbor?. Young Calvinist. 47. December 1966. 13.
‘Lord, I am not worthy.’. Young Calvinist. 47. November 1966. 12.
‘Not to be served, but to serve.’. Young Calvinist. 47. November 1966. 13.
Talks with Jesus. Part 3 of 8. Young Calvinist. 47. November 1966. 12-13.
Living water. Young Calvinist. 47. October 1966. 13.
Talks with Jesus. Part 2 of 8. Young Calvinist. 47. October 1966. 12-13.
You must be born again. Young Calvinist. 47. October 1966. 12.
Begone, Satan. Young Calvinist. 47. September 1966. 16.
Greater than I. Young Calvinist. 47. September 1966. 15.
Talks with Jesus. Part 1 of 8. Young Calvinist. 47. September 1966. 14-16.
Life everlasting. Banner. 101. April 15, 1966. 18-19.
Dean of Israel’s statesmen. Young Calvinist. 47. April 1966. 11.
Mother Mary. Young Calvinist. 47. April 1966. 10.
Sense and nonsense. Part 8 of 8. Young Calvinist. 47. April 1966. 10-11.
The return of Christ. Banner. 101. April 1, 1966. 16-17.
Signs of the times. Banner. 101. March 18, 1966. 16-17.
The coming of the kingdom. Banner. 101. March 4, 1966. 16-17.
Leader of the minority party. Young Calvinist. 47. March 1966. 13.
Sense and nonsense. Part 7 of 8. Young Calvinist. 47. March 1966. 12-13.
The conversion of a captain. Young Calvinist. 47. March 1966. 12,27.
Church government. Banner. 101. February 18, 1966. 16-17.
Offices in the church. Banner. 101. February 4, 1966. 10-11.
A mother in Israel. Young Calvinist. 47. February 1966. 13.
Getting Vatican II in focus. Reformed Journal. 16. February 1966. 16-19.
Sense and nonsense. Part 6 of 8. Young Calvinist. 47. February 1966. 12-13.
The Lord’s Supper. Banner. 101. January 21, 1966. 16-17.
Christian baptism. Banner. 101. January 7, 1966. 14-15.
Sense and nonsense. Part 5 of 8. Young Calvinist. 47. January 1966. 10-11.
1965
Word and sacrament. Banner. 100. December 24, 1965. 10-11.
The marks of the church. Banner. 100. December 10, 1965. 14-15.
A.W.O.L. Young Calvinist. 46. December 1965. 14.
Sense and nonsense. Part 4 of 8. Young Calvinist. 46. December 1965. 14-15.
Take it easy religion. Young Calvinist. 46. December 1965. 15.
Prayer. Banner. 100. November 26, 1965. 18-19.
Christian freedom. Banner. 100. November 12, 1965. 22-23.
A man of his word. Young Calvinist. 46. November 1965. 15.
Satan’s undercover agent. Young Calvinist. 46. November 1965. 14.
Sense and nonsense. Part 3 of 8. Young Calvinist. 46. November 1965. 14-15.
Election. Banner. 100. October 29, 1965. 18.
Life of sanctification. Banner. 100. October 15, 1965. 18-19.
Israel’s Hercules (Samson). Young Calvinist. 46. October 1965. 15.
Justification by faith. Banner. 100. October 1, 1965. 18-19.
Sense and nonsense. Part 2 of 8. Young Calvinist. 46. October 1965. 14-15.
The Holy Spirit. Banner. 100. September 17, 1965. 18-19.
Sense and nonsense. Part 1 of 8. Young Calvinist. 46. September 1965. 14-15.
The work of Christ. Banner. 100. April 16, 1965. 18-19.
Christ–prophet, priest, king. Banner. 100. April 2, 1965. 16-17.
Sound the battle cry. Part 2 of 2. Young Calvinist. 46. April 1965. 34-35.
The person of Christ. Banner. 100. March 19, 1965. 14-15.
Common grace. Banner. 100. March 5, 1965. 16-17.
A prophet gone A.W.O.L. Part 3 of 3. Young Calvinist. 46. March 1965. 30.
Sound the battle cry. Part 1 of 2. Young Calvinist. 46. March 1965. 31.
Three-lettered reality: S-I-N. Banner. 100. February 19, 1965. 16-17.
Angels and demons. Banner. 100. February 5, 1965. 18-19.
A prophet gone A.W.O.L. Part 2 of 3. Young Calvinist. 46. February 1965. 34-35.
What is man?. Banner. 100. January 22, 1965. 16-17.
The providence of God. Banner. 100. January 8, 1965. 6-7.
A prophet gone A.W.O.L. Part 1 of 3. Young Calvinist. 46. January 1965. 35.
R.S.V.P. Young Calvinist. 46. January 1965. 34.
1964
God the creator. Banner. 99. December 25, 1964. 18-19.
The trinity. Banner. 99. December 11, 1964. 14-15.
Our knowledge of God. Banner. 99. November 27, 1964. 18-19.
The marks of the Bible. Banner. 99. November 13, 1964. 16-17.
Scripture–our canon for faith and life. Banner. 99. October 30, 1964. 16-17.
The inspiration and infallibility of Scripture. Banner. 99. October 16, 1964. 14-15.
Religion and revelation. Banner. 99. October 2, 1964. 18-19.
What is religion?. Banner. 99. September 18, 1964. 16-17.
The Vatican Council. Young Calvinist. 45. January 1964. 8-9.
1963
What price Christian education?. Reformed Journal. 13. November 1963. 22-23.
1962
God, give us men!. Banner. 97. September 21, 1962. 6-7.
1961
Revision of Belgic Confession–the minority opinion. Banner. 96. June 9, 1961. 18-19.
Scholarly Presentations
CRC Ministers Institute, 1960, “Development of Dogma in Roman Catholic Theology”
RES Theological Conference, Sydney, Australia, 1972, “Scripture, Faith, and Science”
Karl Barth Society, wrs, Holland, Michigan, 1981, “Calvin and Barth–a Comparison” Curriculum Development Center, Toronto, Ontario, 1981, “Schools and Society: Agenda for the Eighties”
IARFA Conference, Zeist, Nettlerlands, 1962, “Christian Higher Education in Global Perspective”
CARFA Conference, Conrad Grebel College, Guelph, Ontario, “Pulpit and Politics,” 1962
RES Theological Conference, Chicago, 1984, “Biblical Norms for Ethical Decision-Making”
Ontario Christian Principals Conference, 1964, “The Pontifical Task of Christian Education”
CRWM/CRWRC Regional Conference, San Jose, Costa Rica, 1964, “A Reformed Alternative”
Mid-West CRC Ministers Conference, Dordt College, 1985, “Fundamentalism in the CHC”
CCCS Consortium, Calvin College, 1987, “Liberation Theology in Central America”
CCCS-ICS Conference, rcs., Toronto, Ontario, 1967, “Liberation Theology and Reformational Thought”
Church-State Conference, Geneva COllege, 1987, “Christian View of the State: Principled Pluralism”
Symposium on South Africa, School of Law, Valparaiso University, 1967, “Afrikanerdan and Apartheid: Churches in Turmoil”
Congress of Americanists, Free University of Amsterdam, 1968, “Liberation Theology: a View from the North”
Dordt College Commencement, 1988, “Kingdoms in Conflict”
Mission Conference, Jos, Nigeria, 1989, “Confessing the Faith in Today’s World”
I.A.P.C.H.E. Regional Conference for Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe,” 1991, “Theology: Queen or Servant or Partner?”
The Stoker Lectures, Potchefstroom University, 1991, “Worldviews and Christian Higher Education”
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