John Hesselink

I. John Hesselink is the former Albertus C. van Raalte professor of systematic theology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. He also served as president of Western Theological Seminary from 1973 to 1985. He has served in a wide variety of roles—evangelist, missionary, lecturer, translator, and administrator. He received his BA from Central College (Iowa), his BD from Western Theological Seminary (Michigan), and his doctorate in theology from the University of Basel (1961). He served as a missionary to Japan from 1953 to 1973, where he also taught systematic theology. He studied under both Emil Brunner and Karl Barth, completing his doctoral degree on the law in John Calvin for Professor Barth. His research in Calvin has gained him a reputation as a respected specialist in Calvin studies. His books include Calvin’s First Catechism: A Commentary and On Being Reformed. He has contributed to numerous academic and popular journals and magazines and taught historical theology at Tokyo Union Theological Seminary for twelve years. Married in 1951, John and his wife, Etta, have five children and two grandchildren and live in Holland, Michigan.

Books by John Hesselink