Calvin University Chimes

Learning to speak Christian

Levi Huizenga, Guest Writer
March 4, 2025

In these last three weeks a number of pieces in Chimes have argued about whether or not we, as Americans, should endorse the giving of foreign aid to other countries. I have no problem per se with the...

Donald Trump isn’t a Christian, and that’s OK.

Levi Huizenga, Guest Writer
November 18, 2024

The Church should reevaluate its expectation that political leaders, particularly the President, share our faith. Such a reevaluation should also prompt us to rethink our politics. The collapse of Christendom...

It’s time to ditch ‘Every square inch’

Levi Huizenga, Guest Writer
September 23, 2024

If to you, “Every square inch” is just the sequence of words plastered above the workout room, then it might be helpful to know that they came from the pen of a Dutch theologian and politician named...

True forgiveness is demanding but ultimately binds us together

Levi Huizenga, Guest Writer
April 15, 2024

Content warning: Mentions of suicide. In Anne Tyler’s 1991 novel "Saint Maybe," 19-year-old Ian Bedloe has become responsible for the suicides of his older brother and his brother’s new bride. When...

Against nondenominationalism: A short call to (doctrinal) arms

Levi Huizenga, Guest Writer
January 23, 2023

Calvin students are far too agreeable on matters of faith. Agreeable is perhaps the wrong word; it implies a conversation is happening. There are those that would defend this state, saying it is preferable...

Worship apprentice program expands by four students, approaches size of past teams

Levi Huizenga, Religion Reporter
September 11, 2022

The worship apprentice team –– a group of students chosen by Campus Ministries to lead and plan Calvin’s daily chapels –– has expanded this year. While last year’s team consisted of six students,...

“Reasonable but disappointing”: Streetfest reduced due to student feedback and financial necessity

Levi Huizenga, Religion Reporter
September 4, 2022

Streetfest, the service-learning component of Calvin’s orientation program, looked a little different this year. In past years, the event took up an entire Friday and included the entire body of incoming...

[Photo] Campus Involvement and Leadership office removes unauthorized LGBTQ+ pride flag display

Harm Venhuizen, Editor-in-Chief
March 25, 2022

According to several social work students, Calvin’s treatment of LGBTQ+ students and staff is at the heart of their struggle

Show, don’t tell: On Student Senate’s recent poster campaign

Levi Huizenga, Staff Reporter
March 13, 2022

When I was 13, I made a speech in front of my middle school. People liked the speech and it got me a position on the student council. Over the next year, I would discover just how much I dislike student...

Local house church offers Calvin students “simpler” church experience

Levi Huizenga, Staff Reporter
February 20, 2022

House churches, one of the earliest recorded structures for Christian gathering, may not be familiar to those who attend institutional churches, but they still exist today in many forms. There are several...

Off-Campus Programs trims costs of May abroad trips

Levi Huizenga, Staff Reporter
February 13, 2022

May term abroad programs will cost $400-$1000 less this year thanks to efforts spearheaded by Provost Noah Toly and Dr. Cynthia Slagter, director of the Off-Campus Programs office. According to Slagter,...

Student evangelism takes the gospel downtown

Levi Huizenga, Staff Reporter
February 1, 2022

It’s freezing at the Rapid Central Station. A group of students stand in a circle almost shoulder to shoulder, shielding themselves from the cold. Though they are enjoying each other’s company, every...

Students engage with N.T. Wright January Series lecture

Levi Huizenga, Staff Reporter
January 23, 2022

“Is Wright right?” a bright red sign bearing this question hung from the table of members of the Remnant Bible Study on Jan. 20 as they engaged passersby in discussions of interpretation, justification...

Calvin ministry groups plan for new semester

Levi Huizenga, Staff Reporter
January 15, 2022

Sophomore Jesse McCurdy, a Barnabas on 3rd Bolt, enjoyed a Saturday morning tradition of making pancakes for the dorm with his ministry team last semester. Although food-based events like pancake-making...

Killing the game: Board Game Guild sees massive increase in membership

Levi Huizenga, Guest Writer
October 17, 2021

The Board Game Guild has doubled its membership this semester. While the club’s membership has previously hovered around 40-50 students, this year’s sign-ups at Cokes and Clubs exceeded 110 people. Co-President...

Building a better future: Engineering students work with Habitat for Humanity to make more sustainable homes

Levi Huizenga, Guest Writer
October 2, 2021

Over the last 19 years, Professor Matthew Heun has been teaching engineering 333, “Thermal Systems Design.” The class has worked with various on-campus departments to gain practical engineering experience...