2008 Winners 18 papers were submitted on the topic “John Calvin and the Risks and Benefits of Learning from non-Christian Sources.” 1st Place, $2,500 Scholarship Rebecca Veldkamp Grand Rapids, Michigan 2nd Place, $1,250 Scholarship Andrew Knot Flossmoor, Illinois

Awards are given annually for research papers on a topic selected by the Calvinism Committee. Awards are payable to student tuition accounts at the following colleges: Calvin, Dordt, King's (Canada), Redeemer (Canada), Kuyper, and Trinity Christian.

The topic for 2009 is:

Would John Calvin's Ideals of Government Work in Today's North American Society?

First prize: $2,500

Second prize: $1,250

Scope and Focus of the Topic

What did John Calvin have to say about governments and how did they operate? How do his ideals compare with those pursued in North American governments today? Some topics which Calvin discussed are the right of governments to raise taxes, wage wars, and the duty of subjects to obey even unjust rulers, with a right of resistance limited to the lesser magistrates.
How do these ideas fit into the twenty-first century context?

Students should show that they have read and reflected on Calvin’s writings, especially the Institutes (Book 4 chapter 20 in particular), plus his commentaries, and sermons where relevant. Calvin’s works can be accessed online through the Christian Classics Ethereal Library at: http://www.ccel.org/index/author-C.html

Also, search the Meeter Center’s online database entitled Calvinism Resources Database to find sources. This can be found on the Meeter Center’s homepage at: http://www.calvin.edu/meeter/

Research Paper Format Guidelines

Papers should be 8 to 12 pages long, typed double-spaced, and include footnotes or endnotes as well as a bibliography. Pages must be numbered. Papers must include a cover sheet with the following information:

• name
• address
• telephone number
• e-mail address
• high school
• principal's name
• church (include address)
• pastor's name
• how you learned about the scholarship

No name or other identifying information should appear on any page except the cover. The Meeter Center will assign each entry a code number and write it on the pages of the paper. This assures impartial judging of the papers by the Calvinism Committee and allows for accurate identification.

The Calvinism Committee will judge the papers by the following criteria:

1. Thoroughness of research, including primary sources and quality secondary sources.
2. Coherence and originality of the argument.
3. Quality of writing.
4. Relatedness to contemporary situation.

Papers must have a January 15, 2009, postmark. The Calvinism Committee will select winners by March 15, 2009, from applicants who will attend college in the fall of 2009. All participants will be notified of their status by mail.

Finding Sources

Suggested resources include libraries of churches, pastors, teachers, and schools. In addition public and university libraries may offer interlibrary loan service, which one may use to obtain books not available locally.

Submitting a Research Paper

Please send entries to the following address:

The H. Henry Meeter Center for Calvin Studies
Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary
1855 Knollcrest Circle SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402
USA

If you have any questions regarding the Hugh and Eve Meeter Calvinism Awards for High School Seniors, please feel free to contact the Meeter Center at the above address or at the following numbers and e-mail address:

Telephone: 1-616-526-7081

Fax: 1-616-526-7687

meeter@calvin.edu