W88-0048.2. Heideman, Eugene P. (1929- ).
Papers, 1950-[ongoing]. 3.00 linear ft.

Abstract

Central College class of 1951; Western Theological Seminary class of 1954; National University of Utrecht (Netherlands) class of 1959. Pastor of First Reformed Church in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (1957-1960); missionary to India (1960-1970). Central College chaplain (1970-1976); Western Theological Seminary professor (1976-1982); Secretary of the General Program Council of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) (1982-1994). Collection includes the book, Our Song of Hope, draft copies, articles, background material; correspondence, Heritage & Hope Series, Heideman’s missionary work in India, lecture notes, articles and speeches.

Accession No.:W88-0048.2
Provenance:Eugene P. Heideman
Donor:Eugene P. Heideman
Processed by:Chad A. Boorsma, November, 1994
Leon Witteveen, August 1998

Biography

Eugene Paul Heideman was born in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, on June 30, 1929. He graduated from Central College in Pella, Iowa, in 1951 and Western Theological Seminary in 1954. In 1959, Heideman received his Doctorate of Theology from the National University of Utrecht in the Netherlands.
In 1957, Heideman became pastor of the First Reformed Church in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He served there until 1960 when he entered upon missionary work in India. Heideman concluded his missionary service in 1970 when he became chaplain and a professor at his alma mater, Central College, where he served until 1976 when he became a professor at Western Theological Seminary. In 1984, Heideman became part of the staff of the General Program Council of the Reformed Church, a position he held until his retirement in 1994.

Scope and Content

A large portion of the Eugene P. Heideman papers deal with his book, Our Song of Hope, which is a confession of faith published by the Reformed Church in America. Included in his papers are various draft copies, articles, background material, and a wealth of correspondence that depict the writing, editing, and publication processes. These materials tell of people’s reactions to the new confession of faith and Heideman’s response to them.
Another significant part of this collection is the correspondence written while Heideman was a minister in Canada. These letters show both the struggles and joys of serving as pastor in what was then a new missionary effort of the Reformed Church in America.
Also included in the collection are materials relating to the Heritage & Hope Series, Heideman’s missionary work in India, lecture notes from courses taught at both Central College and Western Theological Seminary, and articles and speeches written throughout his career, particularly during his tenure as Secretary for Program of the General Program Council of the Reformed Church in America.

Container List

Box 1

Articles, 1959-1991, n. d.
“As Wise as Serpents and as Innocent as Doves,” 1982
“The Bible in Public Life” by Eugene Osterhaven, 1985
“The Bible in Public Life,” 1986
“Biblical Basis for Mission,” 1988
“Changing of the Guard in the Middle East,” Church Herald, 1984
“Creation vs. Evolution Debate,” 1984
“Evangelism is an Invitation to the Table of the Lord,” 1984
HERITAGE & HOPE SERIES
“A People in Mission: Their Expanding Dream,” 1984
“A People in Mission: The Surprising Harvest,” 1979-1980
“How I View the Future of Christian Mission,” 1985
“The Hymn I Want to Learn: Rejoice in the Lord,” 1985
“I Spoke Like a Child,” n. d.
“Mutuality in Missions,” 1985
“The Natural and Obvious Meaning of Scripture,” n. d.
“New Horizons for an Old Relationship” by I. J. Hesselink, Church Herald, 1959
“No Retreat from the City,” 1970
“Office of Professor of Theology,” 1985
“The Old Testament and Asian Cultures,” n. d.
“Pluralism, Communalism, and Christian Baptism,” 1985
“Success and Its Dilemma,” Church Herald, 1985
Sunday School Guide column, “The Elective,” 2008
“Reflections on the Ministry of the R.C.A. through Its G.P.C.,” 1984
“Reformed Church Health Care Policy for World Mission,” n. d.
“The Spirit Moves in Venezuela,” Church Herald, 1983
“The Theological Significance of Manure,” Church Herald, 1984
“Thy Will be Done,” 1991
“The Van Bunschooten Bequest and the Explanatory Articles,” n. d.
“World Mission of R.C.A.,” Pioneer, 1984
World Mission Backgrounder, #1 and #2
“Mission and Evangelism: An Ecumenical Affirmation,” 1983
“Stages in the Life of Agricultural Missions,” 1983
Booklet, “There is so Much to Learn, Lord,” n. d.
Chapel Talks, 1975-1982 (2 folders)
Christmas Letters, 1961-1994
Clark, Nancy, 1992
Correspondence, 1956-1994
Brownson, William C., 1985
Canada Work, 1956-1961
Blaauw, Jacob, 1956-1960
General, 1956-1958
Oudersluys, Richard C., 1956-1961
Redeker, Russell J., 1950, 1958-1960
Vanden Berg, Richard J., 1956-1958
India, General, 1971-1972
India, Missionary Letters, 1954-1964
Mast, Gregg, 1994
re: “Reformed Church and Its Evolving Theology, 1860-76,” 1974
Van Dyk, Gerard, 1984
Draft Copies, 1981-1987, n. d.
“History of Theology in the R.C.A.,” 1981-1983
“Jesus Saves,” n. d.
“The Lord’s Supper and Our Dinner Tables,” 1986 (2 folders)
“World Missions Study on Book of Matthew,” 1987
Lecture Notes, 1971-1982
American Gospel and Social Hymnody, 1980-1981
The American Experience, 1981-1982
Catechetical Preaching, 1981-1982
Christian Ethics, 1971-1972
Evangelism and Mission, 1979-1980
Four Prayers for Mission, n. d.
Introduction to Theology, 1976-1977
New Testament (Central College), 1974
Old Testament (Central College), 1976
Our Reformed Heritage, 1976-1977
Preaching, 1978-1979
Preaching the Church Year, 1979-1980
Preaching Course for Ministers’ Wives, 1982
Preaching as a Teaching Ministry, 1982

Box 2

Lecture Notes, 1971-1982 (cont.)
World Missions, 1979-1980
Meditations, 1960, 1985
Prayer Time, 1960
Words of Hope, 1985
Memorial Service, A. L. Warnshuis, 1958
Missionary Progress Reports, 1982-1984
Africa, 1983
India, 1982, 1984
Japan, 1983
Mexico, 1983
Middle East, 1983
Taiwan, 1983
OUR SONG OF HOPE, 1971-1976, n. d.
Articles, 1974-1976, n. d.
Background Material, 1971-1973
Correspondence, 1971-1977
Draft Copy, 1973-1974, n. d.
General, 1971-1977 (2 folders)
Trial Run, 1971-1973, n. d.
Draft Copy, 1973
Draft Copy (Commentary Section), 1973
Music, 1974
Official Copy, n. d.
Publication/Distribution, 1974-1976
Study Guide, 1973
Trial Run, n. d.
Position Description, General Secretary and Secretary for Program, 1983
Programs, 1969-1989
Appreciation Dinner, 1982
Bast Festival of Preaching, 1989
Induction as Presbyter of St. George’s Cathedral, Madras, India, 1969
Installation as Academic Dean, 1978
Reports, 1974-1994
Ad Hoc Committee on Power in World Mission, 1980
Consultation on “Sharing Cross Cultural Richness of the Gospel,” 1994
Joint Committee on Relationships and Responsibilities of Minority Councils and Denominational Policy Bodies, 1978
Melbourne Conference of the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism, W. C. C., 1980
Secretary for Program, 1982-1985
Reviews, 1985-1996
“Commitment to God’s World” by Ans J. Vander Bent, 1996
“Erkenning zonder vernieuwing?” by H. P. J. Witte and Th. M. J. Geurts, 1989
“Faith to Creed” by S. M. Heim, 1991
“Gathered at Albany: History of a Classis” by Allan J. Janssen, 1995
“Judaism: Between Yesterday and Tomorrow” and “Christianity: History and Future” by Hans Kung, 1995
“On Behalf of God: A Christian Ethic for Biology” by B. R. Reichenbach and V. E. Anderson, 1995
“Sent Free” by Emilio Castro, 1985
“Sources of Secession” by G. tenZythoff, 1987
Speeches, 1985-1991
“Christian Farmer in Today’s World,” 1986
“Forty Years in the Life of the Church,” 1990
“The General Synod and the General Program Council,” 1991
“Habits of the Mind,” 1991
“R.C.A. Identity Emphasis and Its Theological Implications,” 1986
Special Services, 1985-1986
“Spirit of the R.C.A.,” 1985
“A Tribute to Dr. Richard C. Oudersluys on the Occasion of his One Hundredth Birthday, November 21, 2006”
Writings, 1984-1994 (l folder)
“Abortions and the Limitations of Love,” 1990
“The Americanization of Reformed Confessions,” 1992
“Christian International Mission at the End of a Millennium,” Reformed Review, 1989
“Do We Want Converts?” Net Results, 1990
“Doing Everything in the Name of Jesus,” n. d.
“Doing Mission in God’s Way: One Hundred Years of Change and Constancy,” 1989
“The Elder in the Reformed Church in America,” 1991
“Environmental Factors Influencing Paul’s Use of ‘Righteousness’ in the Epistle to the Romans,” 1953
“Harrison, Paul W., Warnshuis, A. L., and Chamberlain, Jacob,” n. d.
“The Internationalization of God’s Mission Council for World Mission,” 1990
“A New Era in World Mission,” 1992
“Old Confessions and New Testimony,” Reformed Journal, 1988
“On the Way,” 1992
“Proselytism, Mission, and the Bible,” n. d.
“The R.C.A. as a Cross Cultural Partner in Mission,” 1994
“R.C.A.: From Dutch Immigrant Church to Multiethnic Church,” 1995
“Thy Will Be Done: Mission in Christ’s Way,” Perspectives, 1990
“Tyranny and the Reformed Confessions,” Reformed Journal, 1988
“Will Jesus Come Again in 1996?” n. d.

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