H88-0019. Bruins, Elton J. (1927- ).
Papers, 1959-[ongoing]. 24.00 linear feet. PROCESSING IN PROGRESS

Abstract

Personal papers of Elton J. Bruins, professor of religion at Hope College (1966- ), archivist and minister. Collection consists of articles, essays, book reviews, clippings, memos, and news releases. These materials primarily relate to the history of the Reformed Church in America and local history.

Accession No.:H88-0019
Provenance:Elton J. Bruins
Donor:Elton J. Bruins
Processed by:Craig G. Wright, February 1991
Kevin DeYoung, July 1998
Ena Brooks, October 1998

Biography

Elton J. Bruins was born in Fairwater, Wisconsin, on July 29, 1927, to Clarence and Angeline Bruins. He attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan, from 1946 to 1950, where he received his B.A. degree, graduating Magna Cum Laude with Faculty Honors. Bruins stayed in Holland and studied at Western Theological Seminary until 1953, when he was awarded the Bachelor of Divinity degree and the Pietenpol Award for Excellence. He was licensed to preach by the Classis of Wisconsin, Reformed Church in America, in 1953 and was ordained by this same classis in 1954.
Bruins moved to the east coast in 1953 and remained there until 1966. From 1953 to 1954 he attended Union Theological Seminary in New York. It was from this institution in 1957 that he received the S.T.M. (Masters of Sacred Theology) degree in the field of church history. Bruins studied church history at Princeton Theological Seminary 1954-1955. He then became the minister of the Reformed Church in Elmsford, New York, staying at this church from 1955 to 1961. During his time at Elmsford Reformed Church he returned to school part-time. He received the Ph.D. degree in the history of education from New York University in 1962. After leaving Elmsford, he became the minister of the Reformed Church in Flushing, New York, serving there from 1961 to 1966.
After serving two pastorates in the Reformed Church in America, Bruins was hired as a professor of religion at Hope College. He served as the chairman of the religion department from 1977 to 1984. During that time, in 1981, he was appointed the Evert J. and Hattie E. Blekkink Professor of Religion. From 1984 to 1989 he was the Dean for the Arts and Humanities at Hope College and was Acting Provost during the fall semester of 1989. Bruins was granted the title of Blekkink Professor of Religion Emeritus in 1992. In 1994 he became the Director of the A. C. Van Raalte Institute, a position he held until 2002. He is now the Philip Phelps Jr. Research Professor at the Van Raalte Institute.
In addition to his work at the Van Raalte Institute, Bruins has a wide range of community and church involvement, maintains membership in a large number of professional societies, and has an extensive bibliography. He is, or has been, a member of several Third Reformed Church committees, the Dutch-American Historical Commission, the board of directors of the Holland Area Historical Society, the American Society of Church History, the Midwest Archives Conference, the Presbyterian Historical Society, the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, and the Calvin Studies Society. He has served as chair of the Holland Historical/Cultural Relations Commission, as a member of the City of Holland Sesquicentennial Committee, as chair of the Historical Committee of the Classis of Holland, Reformed Church in America, and the vice president and president of the Classis of Holland, Reformed Church in America.
Bruins has written many articles for The Church Herald, The Reformed Review, Origins, the Westminster Dictionary of Church History, and the Dictionary of Christianity in America. Along with articles, he has published two books: The Americanization of a Congregation and Albertus C. Van Raalte, Dutch Leader and American Patriot. He has authored or co-authored several books: The Americanization of a Congregation (2nd ed., 1995); Family Quarrels in the Dutch Reformed Church in the Nineteenth Century (co-authored with Robert Swierenga, 1999); Albertus C. Van Raalte, Dutch Leader and American Patriot (co-authored with Jeanne M. Jacobson and Larry J. Wagenaar, 1996); and Albertus and Christina: The Van Raalte Family, Home and Roots (co-authored with Karen G. Schakel, Sara Fredrickson Simmons, and Marie N. Zingle, 2004).

Scope and Content

Elton Bruins has played a major role in numerous ventures related to Hope College, the Holland Community, and the RCA. Bruins has preserved lecture notes and syllabi from his days as a student at Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, to his further relationships with Princeton Theological Seminary, Union Theological Seminary, New York University, and New Brunswick Theological Seminary (Box 1, 2). Information from his pastoral ministry at Elmsford and Flushing, chiefly his sermons are here as well (Box 2, 3, 4). Chief among his committee works include those involved with the Van Wylen Library (Box 7, 8) and South Africa (box 9, 10, 11). Bruins was also active in the Association for the Advancement of Dutch-American Studies (Box 8). Freemasonry and it divisive influence on the Classis of Holland in the 19th century put Bruins resources to work in drafting a paper (Box 12). Finally, scores of theological, religious, and cultural topics are arranged alphabetically throughout 4.5 linear feet (Box 13, 14, 15).

Container List

Box 1

Bruins, Elton
Biographical, 1967-1999
Book Reviews, 1969-1987
Clippings, 1970-present
Family History
Into the Third Millennium: The Derk and Cynthia Bruins Family, 1865-2002, 2002
List of Publications, 1954-2004
Memos, 1968-1985
News Releases, 1972-1984
Retirement, 1992
Hope College
"Book of Acts" with Reverend William B. Miller, 1947-1948
"Intertestamentary History and Literature" with Dr. Albertus Pieters, 1947-1948
"Life of Christ" with Dr. George Mennenga 1st semester, 1946-1947
"Old Testament" with Dr. Joseph Zsiros, 1948-1949
"Philosophy of the Christian Religion" with Dr. M. Eugene Osterhaven, 1949-1950
Term Papers
Western Theological Seminary (WTS), 1950-1953
"The American Church and Contemporary Cults" with Dr. E. M. Eenigenburg
"Biblical Introduction Survey" with Dr. George Meenenga
"Calvin" by Wilhelm Pauck, 1953-1954
"Church History" with Dr. William Goulooze
"Church History" with Dr. Lester Kuyper
"Courses in Preaching" with Dr. Simon Blocker
"Courses in Theology I"
"Courses in Theology II"
Coursework with Dr. George Mennenga
"Exegesis with the Prophets" with Dr. Lester Kuyper
General
"Hebrew Grammar" with Dr. Lester Kuyper
New Testament 101 with Dr. Richard C. Oudersluys
New Testament 201-"Interpretation of the New Testament" with Oudersluys
New Testament 202-"Romans" with Oudersluys
New Testament 203-"New Testament Introduction" with Oudersluys
New Testament 301-"New Testament Theology" with Oudersluys
New Testament 302-304-"Paul's Corinthian Correspondence" with Oudersluys
New Testament 303-"Gospel of John" with Oudersluys
"Pastoral Courses"
"Religious Education"
"Syllabus and Study Guide for English Bible: Its Ancestry" with G. Mennenga
"Syllabus and Study Guide for Old Testament History" with G. Mennenga
"Syllabus and Study Guide for Old Testament Prophets" with G. Mennenga
Term Papers

Box 2

Elmsford Reformed Church (ERC)
Elmsford Reformed Church, 1955-1961
Bulletins and Mailings Oct 1955-1960 (5 folders)
Consistory Minutes, 1955-1961 (3 folders)
New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS)
Correspondence regarding thesis on New Brunswick Theological Seminary
Thesis Paper, 1962
Thesis Proposal, 1958
New York University, New York (NYU)
Documents
Documents related to grad study at UTS and NYU
"History of Education" and term paper with Dr. Adolph Meyer
School of Education coursework
Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey (PTS)
Course Notes with Dr. Lefferts Loetscher, 1954-1955
Hist. Methods with Dr. Lefferts Loetscher
Latin Selection with Dr. George Barrois
PTS courses with Dr. Lefferts Loetscher, 1954-1955
Social Message with Dr. Lefferts Loetscher, 1954-1955
Stone Lectures with Dr. E. Harry Harbison, 1955
Term Papers, 1954-1955
Union Theological Seminary, New York (UTS), 1953-1954
Church: Idea and History with Dr. Cyrl Richardson, 1953-1954
"Calvin-Romans" Second try on thesis (rejected)
"Grad Courses" with Dr. Robert Handy and Dr. Robert McAfee Brown, 1953-1954
"History of Christian Doctrine" with Wilhelm Pauck, 1953-1954
"Intro to History" with Paul Tillich
"Luther Seminar" with Wilhelm Pauck, 1953-1954
Term Papers, 1953-1954

Box 3

Flushing Reformed Church (FRC), New York
Annual Reports, 1961-1965
Bulletins, 1961-1966 (5 folders)
Classis of Queens, New York, 1961-1966; President 1964
Consistory, 1961-1963
Consistory, 1964-1966
Flushing Congregational Church and the Dutch Reformed Church
Membership Rosters and Guide Yearbooks, 1961-1966
Preaching Schedule-Sermons, 1957-1966
Tower Echoes/Newsletter, 1961-1966
Bowne Street Community Church (BSCC)
Annual Reports
Bowne Street Reports, 1978-1993
Bulletins, Articles, By-laws
Fellowship News, 1970-1977
Sermons
Pentateuch
Joshua-Esther
Job-Song of Solomon
Major Prophets
Minor Prophets

Box 4

Sermons (cont.)
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
I Corinthians
II Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Colossians
I, II Thessalonians
I, II Timothy, Titus, Philemon
Hebrews, James
I, II Peter, I, II, III John, Jude
Revelation
Advent and Christmas (242.1)
Apostles' Creed
Assorted
Beatitudes
Church Year, Special Days, New Year Bible Sunday
Communion
Communion Meditations
Heidelberg Catechism
Lent and Easter (242.2)
Lord's Prayer
Misc.
Ordo Salutis
Sacraments

Box 5

Sermons (cont.)
Seven Words
Stewardship
Ten Commandments
Thanksgiving
Bulletins, 1951-1955
Bulletins, 1967-1970
General Synod I, 1970
General Synod II, 1970
Pastoral Prayers, 1961-1971

Hope College
Advisory Committee, 1972-1974
Ballyviktor Sculpture, 1981-1982
Bi-centennial Committee, 1976
Build Hope Campaign, 1972-1976 (2 folders)
Campus Life Board, 1969-1971
Chapel Board-Materials
Chapel Talks and Services, 1967-1979
Chaplain's Search Committee, July 1978-March 1979
Class of 1950 Fund Raising
Class of 1950-25th Reunion (photographs)
Classical Board of Benevolence
Clinic for Effective College Teaching, 1974
Conscientious Objector, 1970
Critical Issues Day, March 13, 1980
Critical Issues Symposia, 1982-1984
Netherlands-American Relations and Queen Beatrix's Visit
RCA Synod, 1986

Box 6

Hope College (cont.)
Curriculum Revision, 1970-1971
DePree Art Center, 1982
"Dutch Art in Modern Life" Show, 1982
Faculty-Church Relations Committee, 1969-1972
Faculty Colloquium on Classic Texts
Faculty Discussion Group, 1973-1975
Fried International Center Dedicated, 9-22-90
Grant Materials, Reports, etc., 1975-1982
Grass Memory Books for Van Wylen Library
Greller, John H. -Correspondence
"Hiring Controversy," 1986
Honorary Degrees Committee, 1974-1978
Hope College-General, 1968-1970
Hope Health Enhancement Program
Houston Lectures, 1982
Independent Study Students
Letters of Recommendation, 1970-1978
Librarian Search Committee, 1975-1977
Mackay, Donald M., 1979
Muste Committee, 1988-1990 (2 folders)
NEH Grant Proposal and Corrections, 1981-1982
Notes on Reading
Reimold Grant and Essay, 1970
Religious Life Committee, 1959-1970 (3 folders)
Religious Life Committee, Agendas and Minutes, 1966-1967
Sabbatical-Netherlands, 1973
Sabbatical-California, 1981
Schuller-Van Wyk Convocation, 1980
Senior Seminar I, 1968-1977
Senior Seminar II, 1977
Spanish-American Symposium, October 19, 1976
Student Church-Classis Committee, 1969
Symposium Dutch Culture, 1971-1972
Van Raalte Hall, 1980
Van Vleck Fire and Rededication, 1979-1981
Wolterstorff Conference, 1974
Writing Workshop, 1982

Box 7

Hope College (cont.)
Chairman's Meeting-Van Wylen (1979-1983)
Correspondence: Gordon J. Van Wylen 1972-1992 (4 folders)
Princess Margriet's Visit, 1972
"Rationale for Residence Halls Self-Governance Proposal" (Author Unknown)
Schuller Issue
Van Wylen, Dr. Gordon J.
General Matters, 1972-1987 (10 folders)
Library Dedication, April 21, 1988
Mayoral Campaign, 1989
Presentation, August 27, 1982
Presentation of book, October 13, 1988
Projects, 1988
Provost Nyenhuis, November 12, 1987
Purposes and Goals, 1972
Tribute for Van Wylen Library, April 1988
Van Wylen, Margaret
What We Owe Our Institutional Heirs, October 1985
Van Wylen Library
Dedication Committee
Budget (1988)
Convocation
General (1987-1988)
John Hope Franklin (1988)
Lunch (1988)
Minutes (1987-1988)
Poster
Renaissance Fair (1988)
General
Dedication Convocation (April 21, 1988)
Dedication, Luncheon, Lectures, and Presentation (1988)
Dedication Wrap-up and Awards
Expansion Project at Bucknell University 1984 (photographs)
Groundbreaking (1986)

Box 8

Hope College (cont.)
Van Wylen Library (cont.)
General (cont.)
Photographs (Van Zoeren Construction and Dedication)
Library Talks RE New Library (1983-1985)
Planning Committee
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII (Photographs)
VIII
IX
Architects (1984-85)
Archive Plans (1984)
Audio-Visual Sub-Committee (1983-1984)
Automation Sub-Committee (1983-1986)
Blouin Report (1983-1984)
Branch Library Sub-Committee (1983-1984)
Library Plans
Minutes (1983-1984)
Photographs (Van Zoeren Construction and Dedication)
Library Talks RE New Library (1983-1985)
Planning Committee (cont.)
Program Statement (1983)
Association for the Advancement of Dutch-American Studies (AADAS)
AADAS, 1984-1987
Conferences
General, 1983
Correspondence, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1991
Papers
Constitution
Final Report, 1983-1984
General, 1983-1986
Michigan Council for the Humanities (MCH) Grant
Membership List and Officers, 1983
Newsletter, 1980-1983
Next Program, 1981-1982
Papers
The Dutch in America
The Dutch in America: Correspondence, 1984-1985
Workshops, 1977-1979

Box 9

Archives-MCH Grant, 1983
Campaign Hope
Dutch-American Workshop, 1977
Historic Walking Tour of Hope College (1986)
Manuscripts and Typing
South Africa Clippings 1970-1987 (56 folders)

Box 10

South Africa Clippings 1988-August 1992 (79 folders)

Box 11

South Africa
Boesak, Alan
Critical Issues Symposium (CIS), 1987
Clippings, publicity
Committee
Memos, notes
Minutes, papers (1985-1988)
1987-1988 I
1987-1988 II
Meeting
October 18, 1985
November 21, 1985
January 29-30, 1986
March 19, 1986
April 24, 1986
1986
Corporate Examiner 1985-1990
Dikgale, Samuel
General Notes
Gilley, Larry and Carol
Koinoinia Declaration
Kuzwayo, Ellen
Magazine
Mophepha, Klaus
Murray, M.
Ngwenga, Joshua
Report June 30, 1986
South African Digest
Student Scholarship
Study Papers
Sullivan Principles
Van Grouw, Todd
Articles, Essays and Books
Brink, Herbert
"Guide to the Dutch-American Historical Collections of Western Michigan," 1967
Bruins, Elton J.
"Albertus C. Van Raalte and His Colony," n. d.
Americanization of a Congregation, 1970
"Areas of Tension Within the Church: The Ecumenical Movement," 1970
"A Brief Chronology of Significant Events in the History of Western Theological Seminary: 1866-1994," 1994
Articles, Essays and Books
Bruins, Elton J.
"The Church at the West: A Brief Survey of the Origin and Development of the Dutch Reformed Church in the Middle West," 1966
"The Church in the Kolonie," n. d.
"The Contribution of the Theological Seminary in New Brunswick to the Church in the West 1850-1884," 1959
"Dimnent Memorial Chapel: After 50 Years Still A Hymn Turned to Stone," n. d. Hope College Alumni Magazine, Spring 1978
"The Dutch Church in a New Land: A Brief Survey of the Reformed Church in America, 1628-1990," 1990
"The Dutch-Immigrant Congregations of Alto, Wisconsin, 1845-1900," 1989
"The Dutch in America: A Bibliographical Guide for Students," 1975
"Holocaust in Holland: 1871," 1971
"Early Hope College History as Reflected in the Correspondence of Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte to Rev. Philip Phelps Jr. 1857-1875," 2001
"Holocaust in Holland: 1871," 1971
"Hope College: Its Origin and Development, 1851-2001," 2001 (includes computer disk)
"An Immigrant Church in a New Land: A Brief Survey of the History of the Reformed Church in America 1628-1990," 1990
"Immigration," from Piety and Patriotism, n. d.
"John Calvin, the Genevan Reformer: A Bibliographical Guide for Students," 1985, 1991 (2 folders)
"The Masonic Controversy in Holland, Michigan, 1879-1882," n. d.
"Servants to the Church," 1984
"A Step Forward for Hope College: The Building of Graves Hall and Winants Chapel," 2004
"What Happened in 1857," 1974
Christians, Cliff
Reformed Colleges Consortium
Seminar - A Cultural View of Mass Communication: Some Explorations, 1976
Schedule and Bibliography, 1976
Lecture One - "Christians Should Use a Culturalist Perspective When Studying Mass Communication Academically," 1976
Working Paper #1. 2nd Edition. "Christians Should Use a Culturalist Perspective When Studying Mass Communication Academically," 1976
Working Paper #2. Background Material for Lecture 2: "Our Electronic Age in a Cultural History Context," 1976
Working Paper #3. Background Material for Lecture 3: "Immanence as Dominating Mythos in Contemporary Popular Culture," 1976
Wolterstorff, Nicholas
"The House of Theory Has No Foundation," - Lecture, 1974
"Reason Within the Bounds of Religion," - Essay, n. d.
"Reason Within the Bounds of Religion," - Lecture, 1974

Box 12

Free Masonry
Ahlstrom, Sydney
Armstrong, Robert
Banner of Truth
Beets, Henry
Brennan, J. Fletcher
Christian Intelligencer
Clippings
CRC, 1974 Synod
Coil, Elijah Alfred
Davis, David B.
De Beij and Zwemer
De Hope
DeJonge, Gerhard
DeKlerk, Peter
DeWar, James
Doesburg, Cornelius
Dosker, Henry E.
Free Masonry Information
Finney, Charles G.
Haan, Gysbert
Hannah, Walton
Hawke, David Freeman
Hoekstra, Peter
Immink
Johnson, Melvin M.
Karsten, John H.
Katz, Jacob
Kromminga, John H.
Kuiper, Roelof T.
Landmarks of the Reformed Fathers
Lipson, Dorothy
Van Eyck, William O.
Manuscript
Manuscript Notes
Minor Notes
Minutes of Classis of Holland, 1853
Minutes General Synod, 1868-1871, 1880-1883 (7 folders)
Muller, John H.
Myer, Gustavus
Odds and Ends
Particular Synod of Chicago
Pieters, Albertus
Reformed Journal
Ronayne, Edmond
True Reformed Dutch Church Minutes
De Wachter
Webster, Nesta Helen
Whalen, William J.
Zwaanstra
Classis Notes
Clippings
Abortion I (1975-1978)
Abortion II (1979-1983)
Abortion III (1984-1989)
Abortion IV (1989-1992)
Abortion V Paper
Amish
Anti-Semitism
Atheism

Box 13

Clippings (cont.)
Bahai
Barth, Karl
Biblical Inerrancy/Biblical Authority
Black Church
Black Muslims
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich
Buddhism
Capital Punishment
Charismatic Movement
Christian Art
Creationism
Christian Science
Church and State I
Church and State II
Church and State III
Conscientious Objectors
COCU (Consultation on Church Union)
Cults
Deism
Dispensationalism
Draft
Eastern Orthodox
Electronic Church
Episcopal Church
Euthanasia
Evangelical Covenant Church
Evangelicals
Evolution
Feminism
Fundamentalism
German Vocabulary
Ghandi, M.
Gun Control
Hare Krishna
Herod's Temple
Hinduism
Holocaust
Homosexuality
Humanism

Box 14

Clippings (cont.)
Hunger
Hutchinson, Ann
Hutterites
Immigrants
Islam
Israel
Jehovah's Witness
Jesus People
Jesuits
Jews for Jesus
Judaism I
Judaism II
Judaism III
Last Temptation of Christ
Liberalism
Lutherans
Mainline Church
Mennonite
Methodism
Moral Majority
Mormons I
Mormons II-Papers and Literature
Mormons III
Muste, A. J.
National Council of Churches
Native Americans
New Age
Nicaragua
Niebuhr, Reinhold
Nuclear Problems I
Nuclear Problems II
Oneida Community

Box 15

Clippings (cont.)
Pacifism
Palestinians
Peacemaking
Pentecostalism
People's Temple
Presbyterians
Prison Reform
Protestantism
Protestant Reformed Church
Puritanism
Quakers
Racism
Reformed Church in America
Roman Catholic Church I
Roman Catholic Church II
Roman Catholic Church III
Salvation Army
Science and Religionv Scientology
Seventh-Day Adventist
Shakers
Soka Gokkai
Solzhenitsyn, Alexander
Tillich, Paul
Transcendental Meditation
Transcendentalism
Unification Church I
Unification Church II
Unitarian Church
UCC (United Church of Christ)
War/Peace
Way Movement
World Council of Churches
Worldwide Church of God

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