AI GENERATED SUMMARY and/or Transcript of above
The letter, dated May 8, 1956, is from "George" to "Leo," discussing an article on divorce and the nature of the church. George expresses his appreciation for Leo's comments and regrets that Leo did not submit his own statement for publication in the Journal. He criticizes the Journal's potential fear of publishing honest reactions and mentions his upcoming trip to Grand Rapids for Synod and research on "Van Raalte," hoping to meet Leo's family there.
- Date: May 8, 1956
- Sender: George
- Recipient: Leo
- Topics: Discussion of an article on divorce, church philosophy, and an upcoming meeting in Grand Rapids.
AI GENERATED TRANSCRIPTION of ABOVE
May 2, 1956.
Dear Leo:
It was good to hear from you, and I count this one of the happy accomplishments of my long article on Diveree [Divorce]. Thank you very much for your kind comments.
I'm sorry you didn's [didn't] act on your desire to send your statement in for publication in the Journal - not because I want public compliments, but becaше [because] I think honest reacticos [reactions] to what we write ought to be prin-tad [printed] as they are in every other honest Journal. I like very much your statement about the distinction bet[ween] "a church of and for the service of our Lord's entire kingdom rather than a church by and for a man-selected group of men..." That is putting it straight. That is, in truth, very much of our sin, and I think it ought to be said. If the Journal will not print that becaше [because] of some fear of the kind of inpression [impression] it will make on some people, the Journal has become no better than the Voices column in The Banner, and has lost some of the simple courage and forthrightness out of which and for which eake [sake] it was born.
I expect to be in Grand Rapids for Synod and a week prior to its meting [meeting] to do some research on Van Raalte. I do hope I might have some occasion to meet with you and your delightful family for a moment or two.
Heartily,
George
- Sender: Leo Peters from Grand Rapids, Michigan.
- Recipient/Publication: The Reformed Journal.
- Subject: Thanks for the article "Reluctantly Endured".
- Call to action: Hopes for further discussion on church membership qualifications
- Notes and Letters...DEAR SIRS:Our profound thanks to both the Rev. Edward Bossenbroek and The Reformed Journal for the courageous and scholarly article "Reluctantly Endured" (January issue)We pray that other men like the Rev. Bossenbroek will feel the urge to unmask other of our shibboleths, particularly on the subject of qualification for church membership.Thankfully yours,Leo Peters
Grand Rapids, Mi.
FUNNY AI SUMMARY (it had a little trouble deciphering)This is a letter dated August 4, 1956, from "Min" (likely a shortened name or nickname) to someone named "Door". The author discusses a piece of writing by Door that was edited or censored, expressing disagreement with the deletion and the publication's policy regarding criticism of church leadership.
Key points:
- The author was late in responding because they were traveling in Northern California and Grand Rapids (GR).
- They found Door's "Slob-rile" (likely a manuscript or article) informative and agreed that the deleted material, which was critical of church leadership, should have been printed.
- The author mentions a long-standing "intra-staff disagreement" at the publication regarding criticism of specific theologians and church leaders.
- They encourage Door not to give up and to continue writing similar pieces, believing the battle against the restrictive policy must be won through "constant agitation".
Aug. 4, 1956
Dear Len:
Sorry I could not answer you promptly. Your material arrived while I was in LA, and since LA, I have been up in Northern Cal. twice.
I am glad you sent me your Stel-file, for it was surely interesting and informative but painfully so. I am really vexed at what was deleted—I had thought that the deleted material was of such nature that its printability was at least debatable. But surely your remark about lack of courage, etc. is not only perfectly true but, while not pleasant, yet wholly unoffensive. I cannot justify the deletion and wish it had been printed. Such things should at times be said.
It is the old, old, story, the one issue on which there has been a kindly but real intra-staff disagreement almost from the beginning of the W. I ran afoul of it first, and then both George and Barry—after they left LA. I have literally spent weeks writing material that was subsequently rejected because it was critical not of the persons but of the theology of men like Berk. Mead, et al. This matter has been the one disconcerting factor in an otherwise happy journalistic venture. When and just how it will be solved I do not know. I suppose by constant agitation. I know that I shall never be content nor silent about a policy which denies me the right to objectively expose the stupidity and sometime duplicity of our church leadership. We surely owe the Church that much. Why should those who lead us ever be regarded as untouchables? What good motive can be given for such a policy?
In any event, do not give up. Next time you feel the urge to write a similar piece, do it, and send it in. For sure, the battle will not be won by quitting.
I was, as I said on your side porch(or was it back porch) the one who suggested the policy of deletion for the purpose of eliminating dull, irrelevant material, but surely not for the purpose for which it was used against you. We are not yet, however, quite as bad as the Banner where I have had sentences combined in single sentence, parts left out, then embraced in quote marks and presented as something I wrote!
Thanks again for sending the file. My tardiness was not disinterest. And many thanks to you for the many kindnesses you showed me while in LA. Also glad to have come to know you and meet you personally. When in LA, come over.
Sorry I could not answer you promptly. Your material arrived while I was in LA, and since LA, I have been up in Northern Cal. twice.
I am glad you sent me your Stel-file, for it was surely interesting and informative but painfully so. I am really vexed at what was deleted—I had thought that the deleted material was of such nature that its printability was at least debatable. But surely your remark about lack of courage, etc. is not only perfectly true but, while not pleasant, yet wholly unoffensive. I cannot justify the deletion and wish it had been printed. Such things should at times be said.
It is the old, old, story, the one issue on which there has been a kindly but real intra-staff disagreement almost from the beginning of the W. I ran afoul of it first, and then both George and Barry—after they left LA. I have literally spent weeks writing material that was subsequently rejected because it was critical not of the persons but of the theology of men like Berk. Mead, et al. This matter has been the one disconcerting factor in an otherwise happy journalistic venture. When and just how it will be solved I do not know. I suppose by constant agitation. I know that I shall never be content nor silent about a policy which denies me the right to objectively expose the stupidity and sometime duplicity of our church leadership. We surely owe the Church that much. Why should those who lead us ever be regarded as untouchables? What good motive can be given for such a policy?
In any event, do not give up. Next time you feel the urge to write a similar piece, do it, and send it in. For sure, the battle will not be won by quitting.
I was, as I said on your side porch(or was it back porch) the one who suggested the policy of deletion for the purpose of eliminating dull, irrelevant material, but surely not for the purpose for which it was used against you. We are not yet, however, quite as bad as the Banner where I have had sentences combined in single sentence, parts left out, then embraced in quote marks and presented as something I wrote!
Thanks again for sending the file. My tardiness was not disinterest. And many thanks to you for the many kindnesses you showed me while in LA. Also glad to have come to know you and meet you personally. When in LA, come over.
Most cordially,
AI Transcript
... H [ar] ry J o hanna s wa s bo r n o f Dutch par- ents [who] had been there just after the turn of the century [of] the 1900's. His fat her's name was William Dirk Johans. Later, Harry was the first in the family to Americanize the name so that it became Johans. William D. Johans was a salesman who traveled all over the West of the U.S. and in Canada. He was a Presbyterian and a very honest person. He believed that everybody should have an education so that they could better themselves. He believed that education was for people who wanted to improve their situation. Harry Johans was born in Chicago in The Loop on October 8th of 1908. He spent his early years in the Netherlands and was educated in the Werk, where his parents ran a small store. He came back to the Netherlands and had high hopes in going through all eight grades, learning Dutch, French, German and some English, learning geography, history, writing, reading and arithmetic. The family finally decided to emigrate to the U.S., settling in Chicago, in the same neighborhood where they had many Dutch friends, and in that community Harry learned about the other cultures. He felt that the different ethnic and racial groups were generally interested in their own religious beliefs. The groups he was taught and learned for themselves were among the best in the U.S. Everybody respected each other regardless of race or religion. In fact, if an individual didn't like another person's religion, to his mind religion or philosophy is unquestionably something that the individual is entitled to.
Harry Johans was in Chicago, the same as his parents. They were born in Chicago. Most of the teachers were probably among the best in the U.S. and some were immigrants as were many of his fellow classmates, most of them of a type or character with values, morals. Harry's geography teacher would use maps and charts to teach the subject of geography. The teacher would point to a large map in front of the class, showing a student or showing the entire class where the places mentioned in the problem were located, such as the location of the Netherlands, the area of its land, the number of people, where they lived, and their occupations.
There also was the teacher who developed a simple experiment in class that was exciting. There were two balloons blown up - a small one and a large one. The small one represented the Netherlands, the large one all the other countries around it. Then he placed the small one above the large one and inserted a lighted match into the large one. When the gas was escaping the small one would be inflated.
Harry Johans remembers those 1912-1920 years with fondness. The teachers were kind and fair, and the school's atmosphere was warm and inviting.
He feels that a course in philosophy, which he began after he turned 70, is a philosophy that everybody should learn. He started this philosophy when he was living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for about a year with his second wife's family. He got his start by reading two books that he had found in a used bookstore. He then began teaching it in the school system there. He then expanded the teaching to colleges, churches, and other institutions in Michigan, in the same area where he ran an antique shop. One of the colleges there was Calvin College, which gave him an opportunity to teach the subject, so he did. A friend, Marvin Werkema, encouraged him to teach at Calvin College. For this young fellow it was extremely important to Marvin that Harry Johans teach an all religion-philosophy type of thing.
Harry has some reflections about that: "I found this very interesting. The first two years I didn't think about it, though I did think about other things related to my hobby (antiques) and my other job as a salesman. But then, it seemed clear to me that both religion and philosophy were related".
Harry retired. While working at his TV S. & S. (Television Sales and Service) store in Michigan, his first wife passed away. After that he met and married Frances, who was 25 years younger than he. He and Frances have traveled to many different places. He has taught his philosophy class at over a dozen colleges in the U.S. and Canada. Frances, an art major, assists him in teaching the class. Harry has three children from his first wife, and Frances has none. Harry is now 87 years old.
He has been asked to teach at Calvin College in Grand Valley once or twice a year, where his home is now located. Frances was teaching art nearby at Grand Valley College, where Harry was given an office to teach his philosophy class in a classroom next door. Harry feels that philosophy does not get much attention in the U.S. in the prestigious schools (except that they have some courses on the second semester's menu). And he regrets that. He wants philosophy to receive more attention.
Frances spent the last two years at Calvin College learning philosophy in among others, a young man who was an expert at ethics - "Harry's ethics for everyday living", as she calls it. "Harry's ethics for everyday living", as she calls it.
At Calvin, Johans (as he was now called by everyone in Grand Valley, including Harry's family), was asked for his material to be in writing. The college required all instructors' materials to be approved by the college's board and put in an organized, approved form. He just called Calvin in 1995 to request an approval form.
In his philosophy class, he uses the "Johans system" which is very simple. He does not use any complicated definitions, as do professors of philosophy do, because he believes that this is a waste of time and only makes the subject more difficult for students.
[who] had been there just after the turn of the century [of] the 1900's. His fat her's name was William Dirk Johans. Later, Harry was the first in the family to Americanize the name so that it became Johans. William D. Johans was a salesman who traveled all over the West of the U.S. and in Canada. He was a Presbyterian and a very honest person. He believed that everybody should have an education so that they could better themselves. He believed that education was for people who wanted to improve their situation. Harry Johans was born in Chicago in The Loop on October 8th of 1908. He spent his early years in the Netherlands and was educated in the Werk, where his parents ran a small store. He came back to the Netherlands and had high hopes in going through all eight grades, learning Dutch, French, German and some English, learning geography, history, writing, reading and arithmetic. The family finally decided to emigrate to the U.S., settling in Chicago, in the same neighborhood where they had many Dutch friends, and in that community Harry learned about the other cultures. He felt that the different ethnic and racial groups were generally interested in their own religious beliefs. The groups he was taught and learned for themselves were among the best in the U.S. Everybody respected each other regardless of race or religion. In fact, if an individual didn't like another person's religion, to his mind religion or philosophy is unquestionably something that the individual is entitled to.
Harry Johans was in Chicago, the same as his parents. They were born in Chicago. Most of the teachers were probably among the best in the U.S. and some were immigrants as were many of his fellow classmates, most of them of a type or character with values, morals. Harry's geography teacher would use maps and charts to teach the subject of geography. The teacher would point to a large map in front of the class, showing a student or showing the entire class where the places mentioned in the problem were located, such as the location of the Netherlands, the area of its land, the number of people, where they lived, and their occupations.
There also was the teacher who developed a simple experiment in class that was exciting. There were two balloons blown up - a small one and a large one. The small one represented the Netherlands, the large one all the other countries around it. Then he placed the small one above the large one and inserted a lighted match into the large one. When the gas was escaping the small one would be inflated.
Harry Johans remembers those 1912-1920 years with fondness. The teachers were kind and fair, and the school's atmosphere was warm and inviting.
He feels that a course in philosophy, which he began after he turned 70, is a philosophy that everybody should learn. He started this philosophy when he was living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for about a year with his second wife's family. He got his start by reading two books that he had found in a used bookstore. He then began teaching it in the school system there. He then expanded the teaching to colleges, churches, and other institutions in Michigan, in the same area where he ran an antique shop. One of the colleges there was Calvin College, which gave him an opportunity to teach the subject, so he did. A friend, Marvin Werkema, encouraged him to teach at Calvin College. For this young fellow it was extremely important to Marvin that Harry Johans teach an all religion-philosophy type of thing.
Harry has some reflections about that: "I found this very interesting. The first two years I didn't think about it, though I did think about other things related to my hobby (antiques) and my other job as a salesman. But then, it seemed clear to me that both religion and philosophy were related".
Harry retired. While working at his TV S. & S. (Television Sales and Service) store in Michigan, his first wife passed away. After that he met and married Frances, who was 25 years younger than he. He and Frances have traveled to many different places. He has taught his philosophy class at over a dozen colleges in the U.S. and Canada. Frances, an art major, assists him in teaching the class. Harry has three children from his first wife, and Frances has none. Harry is now 87 years old.
He has been asked to teach at Calvin College in Grand Valley once or twice a year, where his home is now located. Frances was teaching art nearby at Grand Valley College, where Harry was given an office to teach his philosophy class in a classroom next door. Harry feels that philosophy does not get much attention in the U.S. in the prestigious schools (except that they have some courses on the second semester's menu). And he regrets that. He wants philosophy to receive more attention.
Frances spent the last two years at Calvin College learning philosophy in among others, a young man who was an expert at ethics - "Harry's ethics for everyday living", as she calls it. "Harry's ethics for everyday living", as she calls it.
At Calvin, Johans (as he was now called by everyone in Grand Valley, including Harry's family), was asked for his material to be in writing. The college required all instructors' materials to be approved by the college's board and put in an organized, approved form. He just called Calvin in 1995 to request an approval form.
In his philosophy class, he uses the "Johans system" which is very simple. He does not use any complicated definitions, as do professors of philosophy do, because he believes that this is a waste of time and only makes the subject more difficult for students.
AI GENERATED SUMMARY and/or Transcript of above
The image contains a letter from William H. Jellema to Leo Peters, dated August 2, 1954, discussing theological documents and a financial note.
AI GENERATED SUMMARY and/or Transcript of above
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AI GENERATED SUMMARY and/or Transcript of above
Mr. Leo Peters
750 Plymouth Road, S.E.
Grand Rapids 6, Michigan
750 Plymouth Road, S.E.
Grand Rapids 6, Michigan
Dear Leo:
I received the letter about which you spoke in the foyer of LaGrave church. I did once, years ago, think this was "Funny Finance." Though I now know better, I shall not presume upon your offer. Since you do not want any new men involved, I send no check, and thank you nonetheless.
I wish I had had more time in Grand Rapids for I wanted to talk to you about your Banner piece, or even more exactly about the response it elicited. When I read the first part of Persenaire's response, I could not believe my eyes. That initial point where you are said to have gone "wrong" and thereby spoiled everything thereafter, namely, that you err not knowing what all stripes of Christian tradition knows, that the death of Christ is not the atonement, but the effects of that death are--this is the worst and silliest heresy I have ever heard about. You surely showed Banner readers the utter incompetency of one of the chief committ members. And you also scored when you spotlighted the truth that adoptic of this Report would be an adoption of a new doctrine. Congratulations.
Hope to be in Grand Rapids during synod, and hope to see you then. Gree to Nancy, unless as I, you are still a temporary bachelor.
As ever,
James Daane 
