November 2007 - Protestant Reformed Churches in America

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal
One of the effects of the
struggle over common grace
was a Christian Reformed synodical
warning against worldliness
and worldly amusements.
Kuiper was a member of the
committee that drew up the
statement, and may very well
have been the author.
Another significant denominational
project spearheaded
by Kuiper was the introduction
of hymns into the
songbook of the Christian Reformed
Church, the Psalter
Hymnal, published in 1934.
It was especially as editor
of the official Christian Reformed
magazine, the Banner,
that Kuiper gave leadership to
the Christian Reformed Church.
Kuiper held this influential position,
and prosecuted it vigorously,
for twenty-seven years,
from 1929 – 1956. De Jong examines
the nature and topics of
Kuiper’s editorship. Kuiper’s
editorials were wide-ranging,
from labor unions to spirituality.
De Jong observes that the
membership of the Christian
Reformed Church paid “HJK”
good heed. Kuiper formed the
mind of the Christian Reformed
Church as no single person has
done since.
One cause that was dear to
Kuiper’s heart was the Christian
96
schools. Kuiper was instrumental
in the founding of several
Christian schools, including
Chicago Christian High School,
Grand Rapids Christian High
School, and Reformed Bible
Institute (now, Kuyper College).
The account of Kuiper’s involvement
in the founding of
Grand Rapids Christian High
School contains a sentence that
causes a pang in the heart not
only of the Protestant Reformed
reader but also of all who love
the unity of Christ’s church in
her Reformed manifestation.
At the first graduation [of
Grand Rapids Christian High
School], in the spring of 1923,
board president H. J. Kuiper
presided. He gave the welcome
and offered the invocation;
Louis Berkof delivered
the commencement address;
and fellow board member and
vice president, the Reverend
Herman Hoeksema of the
Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed
Church, closed in
prayer (95).
Kuiper zealously promoted
the schools in the editorial column
of the Banner. His first
editorial was on Christian education.
This occasioned a long
and sharp exchange with the
Rev. John Vander Mey. Vander
Vol. 41, No. 1