Topic for 2024
Introduce a friend to John Calvin

Read Part One (chapter 1 to 4) of Dr. Yudha Thianto’s recent book, An Explorer’s Guide to John Calvin (IVP Academic, 2022). Use what you have learned to write a letter to a friend (real or imaginary) to introduce John Calvin to your friend: what do you want your friend to know about Calvin’s life and impact and enduring significance? Your paper must show close reading of Dr. Thianto’s book, including page references to specific information or quotations from the book, and must make the case why Calvin was  such an influential figure in the history of the church, and how his ideas can still provide answers to contemporary issues in our own world.

Awards are given annually for research papers on a topic dealing with John Calvin or Calvinism. Awards are payable to student tuition accounts at the following institutions: Calvin University, Dordt University, The King's University (Canada), Redeemer University College (Canada), Kuyper College and Trinity Christian College.

Quick Look

  • Deadline: February 1
  • For: High school seniors going to Calvin University, Dordt University, The King's University (Canada), Redeemer University College (Canada), Kuyper College and Trinity Christian College in Fall 2024
  • Prizes: $3500 First Prize, $2000 Second Prize 

The book is available both in print and in digital formats. 

- Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Explorers-Guide-John-Calvin-Guides-ebook/dp/B09GPG67RT
- In Print: https://www.amazon.com/Explorers-Guide-John-Calvin/dp/1514001268/
- Consider also requesting this book through your local library.

Research Paper Format Guidelines

Papers should be 8 to 12 pages long, typed double-spaced, and include page references to specific information or for direct quotations from Dr. Thianto's book.

Pages must be numbered. Papers must include a cover sheet with the following information:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Telephone number
  • E-mail address
  • High school and name of principal
  • High school address
  • Church and name of pastor
  • Church address
  • How you learned about the scholarship

No name or other identifying information should appear on any page except the cover sheet. 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 reading and articulating the main ideas of Dr. Thianto’s work in the student’s own words
  2. Coherence and persuasiveness of the argument
  3. Quality of writing.
  4. Relatedness to contemporary situation.

Papers must be attached to an email to sam.ha@calvin.edu by February 1, 2024. The Calvinism Committee will select winners by the end of March from applicants who will attend college or university in the fall of 2024. All participants will be notified of their status by mail.

If you have any questions regarding the Hugh and Eve Meeter Calvinism Awards for High School Seniors, please feel free to contact us.