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On the campus of Calvin University
© 2025 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
On some points of doctrine, honest Christians honestly disagree. On one point, however, all do agree: The cross lies at the very heart of the Christian message.
Mouths are for eating. No fewer than 700 times Biblical writers mention the vital role that eating plays in maintaining one’s health. Eating is important to physical health, of course—that goes without saying. But Scripture also uses eating as a metaphor for how God’s people can maintain spiritual health and grow in fellowship with their Creator and Redeemer.
Consider the amazing dexterity of our hands. With them we care for our bodies: we wash, feed and groom ourselves. Think, too, of our remarkable ability with our hands to bring blessing or cursing upon others, to help them or to inflict deep hurt. The power of touch, whether for good or ill, is immense.
A selection of books on the history of worship.
This is a description of a seminar that focused on hymnology and the teaching and learning of, and about, Christian worship songs.
This syllabus for A Course in Church History for Everyone: Church History 101 was designed for a course on church history that was taught in the context of a local congregation. This course was designed for the person who has never studied Church History as well as for the person who has some background in the subject.
This article identifies some insights about worship that influence our work with Christian schools and shares what we are learning from students and teachers through their experiences of chapel planning and leading. All the comments come directly from feedback we have collected. This collective wisdom is presented in the form of proverbs—wise sayings, or words of advice—in the hope that this will encourage learning over time and across contexts, and spark conversation and further thinking on these topics.
Jesus, who willingly directed his feet to walk that difficult path of obedience marked out for him by his heavenly Father, endured heavy opposition from enemies as a result. Be clear, therefore: When Jesus bids a person to follow him, he doesn’t present the call as something of an attractive bargain.
A course from this syllabus examines how Christian worship both expresses and shapes our understanding of the life of Jesus Christ, with particular attention given to how celebrations of Advent, Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension and Pentecost reflect assumptions about the doctrines of incarnation, atonement, and ecclesiology.
This syllabus follows a course on Christian congregational song, ranging from Old Testament psalms to contemporary praise-worship songs, from traditional Western hymnody to global worship songs, with some attention to cultural context and practica.
This syllabus follows a study of the forces and movements that have reshaped patterns of Christian worship in the last 25 years, with a particular focus on the ecumenical liturgical movement that arose out of Vatican II, the charismatic movement, and new models for integrating worship and evangelism.
This syllabus is for a class that explores the theology and praxis of worship leadership.
