Peter Eldersveld Collection, 1933-1965 | Heritage Hall, Calvin University's Hekman Library

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Collection Overview

Title: Peter Eldersveld Collection, 1933-1965

ID: COLL/082

Primary Creator: Eldersveld, Peter (1911-1965)

Extent: 15.0 Boxes. More info below.

Arrangement: Folder level description

Subjects: Back to God hour, Calvin College. Archives

Forms of Material: Radio addresses, debates, etc.

Abstract

Minister of the Christian Reformed Church and radio minister of the Christian Reformed Church broadcast The Back to God Hour. The collection includes radio sermons; sermon outlines; book manuscripts; an address, entitled "Heritage of the Heart," delivered at the dedication ceremonies conducted upon the completion of Heritage Hall, 1963; a Back to God Hour memorial album 1946-1965, entitled "The Word of the Cross;" and tape recordings of sermons. See also: RGD 4.20 and Campus Titles AV Database.

Biographical Note

The radio voice of the Christian Reformed Church from 1946 to 1965 was silenced the morning of 14 October 1965. After almost twenty years of broadcasting, the Rev. Peter Eldersveld’s ministry ended. After his unexpected death, his voice was heard for a few Sundays through the medium of taped messages prepared and recorded a week prior to his final heart attack.

Peter Eldersveld’s life began in Kalamazoo, Michigan, 18 January 1911. Because he was the son of a pastor, his life and his educational program involved a number of moves. The first years of education were in Kalamazoo Christian School, West Side Christian School of Grand Rapids, Michigan; public and Christian schools of Corsica, South Dakota; and the public high school of Muskegon, Michigan. In 1928, Peter began four years of study at Calvin College in the pre-seminary course. During his college days, he maintained a continued interest in oratory and basketball.

After one year at Calvin Theological Seminary, 1932-1933, he enrolled in the speech department at the University of Michigan. His major paper was on "preaching and its place in public discourse." (See box 1, folder 2.) The following two years were spent at Calvin Theological Seminary from which he graduated in 1936. Peter studied an additional year at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago while interning at the Fourth Roseland Christian Reformed Church of Chicago.

A college courtship with Harriet Kuiper moved toward their marriage on 7 July 1937.

Peter was declared a candidate for the Christian Reformed ministry on 27 May 1937, and he received his first call to serve the Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Iowa. During the more than five years in Holland, Iowa, he participated in a radio ministry over KFJB in Marshalltown and KXEL in Waterloo. (See box 1, folder 7.)

Peter was installed as pastor of the Bethany CRC of South Holland, Illinois, on 1 August 1943. While there his interest in radio ministry increased through broadcasts of services from the church and his membership in the Radio Committee of the denominational broadcast, The Back to God Hour. In 1946, he was appointed by Synod to serve as radio minister. He remained the voice of the denomination until his death in 1965. During the period of that ministry, he preached over seven hundred radio messages.

A review of his radio messages will reveal that the theme of Peter’s radio ministry was to preach, "Jesus Christ and him crucified." He approached that theme from the Old and New Testament passages. The Christ of the Cross was the only way of salvation for contemporary man and the society of the day was in need of that Christ.

Subject/Index Terms

Back to God hour
Calvin College. Archives

Administrative Information

Repository: Heritage Hall, Calvin University's Hekman Library

Alternate Extent Statement: 7.5 cubic ft.

Acquisition Source: Gift of P.H. Eldersveld family

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Biographical Material, Sermons, and Outlines, 1933-1959],
[Series 2: Addresses, 1940-1964],
[Series 3: Sermons],
[Series 4: Radio Sermons, 1946-1965],
[Series 5: Television Series],
[Series 6: Tape Recordings],
[Series 7: Diplomas and Certificates],
[Series 8: Miscellaneous],
[All]

Series 3: Sermons

Sub-Series 1: Old Testament Sermons

Box 16

Folder 1: Walking With God - Genesis 5:24 --- 1941
Folder 2: The Birthright Bargain - Genesis 25:34b --- 1943
Folder 3: Our Witness to the Word - Ruth 1:15 --- 1963
Folder 4: A Father's Broken Heart - II Samuel 18:33 --- 1941
Folder 5: The Problem of Peace - II Kings 4:26 --- 1943
Folder 6: The Reformation Issue - II Kings 22:8 --- 1960
Folder 7: The Place of Worship - I Chronicles 22:1 --- 1938
Folder 8: The Call to Consencration - I Chronicles 29:5 --- 1951
Folder 9: The Science of the Times - I Chronicles 12:32 --- 1964
Folder 10: In God We Trust? - II Chronicles 20:12 --- 1962
Folder 11: Faith and Fear - Psalm 27:1 --- 1961
Folder 12: God's Love for His Church - Psalm 87:2 --- 1945
Folder 13: The Question for Youth - Psalm 119:9 --- 1938
Folder 14: The Twofold Use of the Bible - Psalm 119:11, 172 --- 1953
Folder 15: The Wisdom of the Word - Psalm 119:98-100 --- 1953
Folder 16: God's Word Our Guide - Psalm 119:105 --- 1953
Folder 17: God's Work for His Word - Psalm 119:126 --- 1953
Folder 18: Living Under Scrutiny - Proverbs 15:3 --- 1952
Folder 19: This Wonderful World - Ecclesiastes 3:11 --- 1963
Folder 20: Planting Time - Ecclesiastes 3:26 --- 1938
Folder 21: God's Peace Conference - Isaiah 1:18 --- 1938
Folder 22: The Church in the World - Isaiah 2:2 --- 1960
Folder 23: What Time is It? - Isaiah 21:11-12 --- 1965
Folder 24: Peace of Mind - Isaiah 26:3 --- 1938
Folder 25: The Church and the Nations - Isaiah 60:12 --- 1965
Folder 26: The Preacher's Task - Ezekial 37:4 --- 1946
Folder 27: The Peril of Privilege - Amos 3:2 --- 1939
Folder 28: God's View of Goodness - Micah 6:8 --- 1946
Folder 29: A Task That Needs Both Generations - Malachi 4:6 --- 1940

Sub-Series 2: New Testament Sermons

Box 16

Folder 30: The Aim of Christian Living - Matthew 6:33 --- 1937
Folder 31: The Rules for Good Works - Matthew 7:2 --- 1940
Folder 32: The Peril of Prayer - Matthew 7:21 --- 1945
Folder 33: Pulpits on Housetops - Matthew 10:27b --- 1946
Folder 34: The Protestant Peril - Matthew 16:13 --- 1952
Folder 35: The Crucial Question - Matthew 16:13-20 --- 1952
Folder 36: The Lasting Impression - Matthew 17:8 --- 1963
Folder 37: Jesus in Uniform - Matthew 27:28 --- 1941
Folder 38: Following Jesus - Mark 2:14 --- 1942
Folder 39: The Parable Preacher - Mark 4:33-34 --- 1959
Folder 40: Salvation by Surgery - Mark 9:43-48 --- 1963
Folder 41: Only One Thing Lacking - Mark 20:21 --- 1940
Folder 42: The Peril of Worshipping Jesus - Luke 6:46 --- 1942
Folder 43: Three Would Be Followers - Luke 9:57-62 --- 1942
Folder 44: Learning to Pray - Luke 11:1 --- 1939
Folder 45: Christ and Our Conflicts - Luke 14:18 --- 1965
Folder 46: An Eternal Memory - Luke 16:25a --- 1938
Folder 47: Searching the Scripture - John 5:39 --- 1965
Folder 48: How to Read a Book - John 5:39
Folder 49: Man's Only Hope - John 6:44 --- 1958
Folder 50: Lord of Life and Death - John 11:25-26 --- 1962
Folder 51: A Witness at Work - John 1:40-42 --- 1936
Folder 52: The Call of the Cross - John 12:32 --- 1963
Folder 53: The Cross Amid Conflict - John 12:32 --- 1965
Folder 54: The Way to God - John 14:6 --- 1961
Folder 55: The Christian in the World - John 17
Folder 56: The Christ Under Tension - John 17:1-5 --- 1950
Folder 57: Living Under Tension - John 17:15 --- 1942
Folder 58: The Spirit-Filled Church - Acts 2:4 --- 1965
Folder 59: A Missionary on the Move - Acts 8:26-40 --- 1956
Folder 60: The Christian Way - Acts 9:2 --- 1959
Folder 61: A God-Filled Home - Acts 16:31b --- 1962
Folder 62: What's New - Acts 17:21 --- 1961
Folder 63: The Power of the Pulpit - Romans 1:16
Folder 64: All to the Good - Romans 8:28 --- 1964
Folder 65: The Gospel of Christ - Romans 1:16-17 --- 1954
Folder 66: A Call for Unity in the Church - I Corinthians 1:10 --- 1964
Folder 67: The Word of the Cross - I Corinthians 1:18a
Folder 68: The Glorious Cross - Galatians 6:16a --- 1941
Folder 69: The Christ-Filled Church - Ephesians 1:23 --- 1965
Folder 70: God's Workmanship - Ephesians 2:10 --- 1953
Folder 71: God Wants Mature Christians - Ephesians 4:14-15 --- 1951
Folder 72: Citizens of Heaven - Philippians 3:20 --- 1964
Folder 73: The Cure for Care - Philippians 4:7
Folder 74: The Strength for Service - Philippians 4:13 --- 1949
Folder 75: What is Your Religion? - II Timothy 3:5 --- 1962
Folder 76: The Church with an Echo - I Thessalonians 1:8 --- 1947
Folder 77: The Fame of the Faithful - Hebrew 11:8 --- 1955
Folder 78: A Footnote on Faith - Hebrew 11:38
Folder 79: Four Kinds of Christianity - Jude 12, 13 --- 1939
Folder 80: Holding Fast - Revelation 3:11 --- 1950
Folder 81: The Christians's Exit - Revelation 14:13 --- 1939

Sub-Series 3: Christian Education Talks and Speeches

Box 16

Folder 82: Christian Education and the Parent
Folder 83: Between God and the World
Folder 84: The Task of the Teacher (Teacher's Retreat) --- 1965
Folder 85: The World is Yours (Commencement) --- 1965
Folder 86: The Unavoidable Christ (Commencement)
Folder 87: A Mission Task for Young and Old --- 1940
Folder 88: Building Better Bridges (Commencement) --- 1957
Folder 89: Why Christian Schools? (Commencement) --- 1958
Folder 90: Crucial Age (Calvinist Cadet Corps) --- 1960
Folder 91: Relevant Education (School Anniversaries) --- 1961
Folder 92: Sunday School Convention Speech --- 1963
Folder 93: On Being True (Teachers' Convention Speech) --- 1963
Folder 94: Wisdom for Our World - Proverbs 1:20-33 (Convention Speech) --- 1964
Folder 95: the Shattering of Significance (Banquet Speech) --- 1965
Folder 96: The Faith of Our Sons (Banquet Speech) --- 1946

Sub-Series 4: Special Church Day Sermons & Commemorations

Box 17

Folder 1: Communion: The Blood on the Door - Exodus 12:7 --- 1942
Folder 2: Communion: the Soul's Need for Food - I Kings 19:7b --- 1938
Folder 3: Communion: Our Communion Declaration - Luke 14:15 --- 1942
Folder 4: Communion: Communion Does Not Save - Luke 13:26 --- 1942
Folder 5: Communion: Eating as Travelers - Exodus 12:11 --- 1942
Folder 6: Communion: Lessons at Supper Time - Luke 14:11, 13, 24 --- 1942
Folder 7: Communion: the Spiritual Phylacteries - Exodus 13:9 --- 1942
Folder 8: Communion: The Call to Confession - Lamentations 3:40 --- 1945
Folder 9: Communion: Is It I? - Matthew 26:22 --- 1953
Folder 10: Prayer Day: Our Dependence on God - Psalm 68:19 --- 1954
Folder 11: Lent: Holy of Holies - Mark 14:35 --- 1952
Folder 12: Lent: The Cross in Jesus' Teaching - Mark 1:23 --- 1943
Folder 13: Lent: Six Views of the Cross - Mark 1:22 --- 1943
Folder 14: Good Friday: The Faith of a Thief - Luke 23:42-43 --- 1937
Folder 15: Easter: Reaction to the Resurrection - Acts 17:32, 34 --- 1954
Folder 16: Easter: Our Easter Faith - Romans 10:9 --- 1938
Folder 17: Easter: The Appearance of the Risen Lord - Acts 1:3 --- 1951
Folder 18: Ascension Day: The Call to Profession and Prayer - Hebrews 4:14-16 --- 1944
Folder 19: Ascension Day: Ascension Day Courage - Hebrews 4:14-16 --- 1942
Folder 20: Ascension Day: The Present Christ - Matthew 28:20 --- 1952
Folder 21: Pentecost: The Promis of Pentecost - Acts 2:39 --- 1938
Folder 22: Pentecost: Communion of Pentecost - Acts 2:42 --- 1939
Folder 23: Mothers' Day: A Mother's Ambition --- 1942
Folder 24: Mothers' Day: A Mother's Faith - Matthew 15:21-31 --- 1959
Folder 25: Armistice Day: The Peace that Guards Us - Philippians 4:7 --- 1942
Folder 26: Thanksgiving: God's Merciful Care - Psalm 136:25 --- 1964
Folder 27: Thanksgiving: Our Thanksgiving Witness - Psalm 136:25 --- 1951
Folder 28: Thanksgiving: The Christian Thanksgiving - Psalm 68:19 --- 1950
Folder 29: Thanksgiving: God--the Faithful Provider - Psalm 136:25 --- 1941
Folder 30: Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving at Midnight - Psalm 119:62 --- 1944
Folder 31: Christmas: The Spirit of Christmas - I John 4:2-3 --- 1944