Congratulations to Mark Koller on the completion of his comprehensive exams in doctoral studies in Historical Theology. The doctoral comprehensive examination committee consisted of Dr. Jonathon Beeke, Dr. Adriaan C. Neele, and Dr. Greg Salazar.

Mark’s research focuses on the writings of Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661) with a focus on “The Nature and Structure of the Church in the Ecclesiology of Samuel Rutherford”.

Mark served as the church planting pastor of the Dallas Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPCNA). The Reformed Presbyterians are the direct descendants of the Scottish Covenanters, a primary interest of Mark’s research. He is a major contributor and co-editor of the multi volume publication The Works of Samuel Rutherford.

Pictured above from left to right are Dr. Adriaan Neele, Dr. Jonathon Beeke, Dr. Stephen Myers, Mark Koller, and Dr. Greg Salazar.

The PRTS seminary community rejoices with Guochao “Jason” Zhao on the completion of his comprehensive exams in doctoral studies in Historical Theology.

The doctoral comprehensive examination committee consisted of Prof. Dr. Willem van Vlastuin (Free University Amsterdam, The Netherlands), Dr. Jan van de Kamp (Theological University Apeldoorn | Free University Amsterdam, The Netherlands), Dr. Stephen Myers, and Dr. Greg Salazar.

Guochao’s research focuses on the historical development of Reformed Ethics in the early modern era, with particular reference to the ethics of Wilhelmus à Brakel (1635-1711). Prior to enrolling at PRTS, Guochao completed his ThM at International Reformed Evangelical Seminary of Jakarta, Indonesia with a concentration in historical-systematic theology. He served two years as a teacher and preacher in Gereja Reformed Injili Indonesia before coming to PRTS.

Pictured above from left to right are Dr. David Kranendonk, Dr. Greg Salazar, Dr. Stephen Myers, Guochao “Jason” Zhao, and Dr. Adriaan Neele.

The PRTS seminary community rejoices with Sherif Fahim of Egypt and his dear family on the successful completion of his oral comprehensive exams. Sherif is now permitted to move on to the research stage of his PhD dissertation: Death to Sin: Paul’s Teaching on Sanctification in Romans 6.

Pictured above from left to right are Dr. Jerry Bilkes, Dr. Michael Barrett, Dr. Adriaan Neele, Mr. Sherif Fahim, Dr. Stephen Myers, and Dr. David Turner.

This is a big week for Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary—not only because of our annual conference from Thursday to Saturday—but also because we are having our first class in our Doctor of Ministry program—a DMin in Homiletics (that is, a degree that focuses on preaching for those who are already preachers). Above you can see a picture of this first DMin class being taught by Dr. Adriaan Neele. The picture below is of us with one of the new DMin students, Sungwon Jahng (a Korean pastor from Los Angeles) who came to Michigan early so that he could attend our church last Lord’s Day, so we invited him over for dinner and had a delightful time of fellowship. Our DMin degree in Homiletics was fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in June of this year. Please pray that God will bless this degree to hundreds, perhaps thousands, of preachers in coming years and decades, if the Lord tarries.

We are humbled to report that PRTS now offers the full spectrum of theological degrees (MA, MDiv, ThM, DMin, and PhD), all of which are fully accredited. We’re grateful to reach this landmark shortly after having celebrated our 25th year anniversary. Your prayers for the seminary’s worldwide ministry are coveted!

PRESS RELEASE: Dr. Maarten Kuivenhoven appointed at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary as Professor of Biblical Studies

CONTACT: Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

For immediate release: August 9, 2021

Grand Rapids, MI—Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (“PRTS”) today announced the appointment of Dr. Maarten Kuivenhoven as Professor of Biblical Studies.

Joel R. Beeke, President of PRTS comments, “I am pleased to announce that Dr. Maarten Kuivenhoven has accepted the appointment to the position of Professor of Biblical Studies. Dr. Kuivenhoven will assume his new role on August 1, 2022. Presently, he serves as a pastor of the Heritage Reformed Congregation, in Grand Rapids. He graduated from Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and was ordained to gospel ministry in February 2010. Since then, he has served the Heritage Reformed Congregation of Grand Rapids while continuing his studies and completed his doctoral dissertation on the interpretation of the Messianic Psalms in the Reformation, and post-Reformation focusing on the commentaries of Wolfgang Musculus, William Ames, Johannes Cocceius and Matthew Henry (Calvin Theological Seminary, 2020). He and his wife Jennifer are blessed with five children: Gwyneth, Justus, Judah, Jared, and Silas. I am truly grateful for the support of the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, Ontario calling Maarten to this position, as decided at the last Heritage Reformed Synod in June. I trust that, by God’s grace, this appointment of Dr. Kuivenhoven solidifies the position of PRTS for biblical, Reformed, experiential, and practical theological education.”

Begun in 1994, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary is now an accredited educational institution for MA, MDiv, ThM, DMin, and PhD degrees. Its mission is to prepare students worldwide to serve Christ and His church through biblical, experiential, and practical ministry.  With campuses in Grand Rapids, Europe (London), Middle East (Alexandria), Asia (Taiwan), Africa (Pretoria), and Latin America (Saō Paulo), the seminary numbers more than 200 students, has twelve full-time professors, twenty globally renowned scholars as adjunct faculty, and a support staff of fourteen.

PRESS RELEASE: Dr. David H. Kranendonk Appointed at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary as Assistant Dean of Students and Professor of Theology

CONTACT: Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

For immediate release: August 9, 2021

Grand Rapids, MI—Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (“PRTS”) today announced the appointment of Dr. David H. Kranendonk as Assistant Dean of Students and Professor of Theology.

Joel R. Beeke, President of PRTS comments, “I am pleased to announce that Dr. David Kranendonk has accepted the appointment to the position of Assistant Dean of Students and Professor of Theology. Dr. Kranendonk will assume his new role effective immediately. He is the author of Paul Bayne’s Pastoral Teaching of Predestination (2021), Teaching Predestination: Elnathan Parr and Pastoral Ministry in Early Stuart England (2011), and Vital Balance. The Pursuit of Professors J.J. van der Schuit, G. Wisse, and L.H. van der Meiden (2006). He has served various congregations of the Free Reformed Churches of North America and is involved in various mission boards supporting theological education. David holds degrees from Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (MDiv, 2003), Calvin Theological Seminary (ThM, 2008), and the Theological University Apeldoorn, The Netherlands (PhD, 2021). He is married to Elly, and they have seven children. I am truly grateful to the Free Reformed Churches supporting his appointment, which is greatly valued at PRTS. I trust that, by God’s grace, this appointment of Dr. Kranendonk solidifies the position of PRTS for biblical, Reformed, experiential, and practical theological education.”

Begun in 1994, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary is now an accredited educational institution for MA, MDiv, ThM, DMin, and PhD degrees. Its mission is to prepare students worldwide to serve Christ and His church through biblical, experiential, and practical ministry.  With campuses in Grand Rapids, Europe (London), Middle East (Alexandria), Asia (Taiwan), Africa (Pretoria), and Latin America (Saō Paulo), the seminary numbers more than 200 students, has twelve full-time professors, twenty globally renowned scholars as adjunct faculty, and a support staff of fourteen.

Sherif and Marian Atef and their children Sophia, Nellie, and Naomi welcomed at Grand Rapids airport by PRTS VP of Operations, Henk Kleyn, and his wife Margaret. Sherif is a lecturer at the Alexandria School of Theology and will be completing his doctoral studies at PRTS in the coming months. All glory to the Lord–visas were issued, COVID negative tests, and safe flight and arrival from Cairo-Washington-Chicago-Grand Rapids.

Two Faculty Openings

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary is seeking to fill two positions in the faculty to help address various openings that generally fall within Systematic Theology, Biblical Studies, and/or Practical Theology. Understanding that two appointments will not necessarily fill all of our needs, applications are encouraged from those who have expertise and teaching experience in one or more of the following areas: Apologetics, Christian Ethics, Contemporary Theology, Christian Philosophy, Biblical Studies (OT and NT), Missions, and Counseling. Fulfillment of position(s) is desired for fall of 2021 or possibly staggered (i.e., one for fall of 2021, and the other for fall of 2022).

Applicants must hold a PhD degree, have outstanding academic qualifications and experience along with ministerial experience, and demonstrate a Christ-like character and testimony. In addition, applicants must adhere to the Three Forms of Unity and Westminster Standards as their confession and must be thoroughly committed to Reformed, experiential theology and ministry.

Applications along with a current CV may be submitted no later than November 25 to:

Michael Barrett, PhD
VP for Academic Affairs/Academic Dean
Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
2965 Leonard Street, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
www.prts.edu
616-432-3412