John H. Stek
Encyclopedia
John Henry Stek was an American pastor, Biblical scholar and translator, and Old Testament professor.
, to William and Gertie Stek. His studies at Calvin College
were interrupted for a tour of duty with the Army
in the Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
from 1944 to 1946, but he returned to marry Nadine Ruth De Bruin in 1948 and earn his A.B.
in 1949. He went on to earn his B.D.
(1952) from Calvin Theological Seminary
, and his Th.M.
(1955) from Westminster Theological Seminary
. Stek was ordained as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church
in Raymond, Minnesota
. He pursued further post-graduate studies at the University of Chicago
from 1965 to 1966, and doctoral work at the Free University of Amsterdam from 1973 to 1974.
, continuing until his retirement in 1990. He joined the Committee on Bible Translation in 1965, and later served as Chairman for 15 years. He was a member of the team that translated the New International Version
(1978) and Today's New International Version
(2003). In 1978, he began work as editor of the NIV Study Bible
, published in 1985 and fully revised in 2002.
Stek also served the denomination on several synodical study committees: Infallibility (1959-1961), Neo-Pentecostalism (1971-1973), Revision of the Form of Subscription (1974-1976), and Interchurch Relations (1975-1981). In 2008, Stek was presented with a Distinguished Alumni Award from Calvin Theological Seminary.
Background and education
Stek was born was born in Oskaloosa, IowaOskaloosa, Iowa
Oskaloosa is the county seat of Mahaska County, Iowa, United States. The population was 11,463 in the 2010 census, an increase from 10,938 in the 2000 census. -History:...
, to William and Gertie Stek. His studies at Calvin College
Calvin College
Calvin College is a comprehensive liberal arts college located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1876, Calvin College is an educational institution of the Christian Reformed Church and stands in the Reformed tradition of Protestantism...
were interrupted for a tour of duty with the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in the Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
The Pacific Ocean theatre was one of four major naval theatres of war of World War II, which pitted the forces of Japan against those of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Netherlands and France....
from 1944 to 1946, but he returned to marry Nadine Ruth De Bruin in 1948 and earn his A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1949. He went on to earn his B.D.
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
(1952) from Calvin Theological Seminary
Calvin Theological Seminary
Calvin Theological Seminary is a seminary affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church in North America, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and closely tied to Calvin College, though each institution has its own board. Rev...
, and his Th.M.
Master of Theology
A Master of Theology is an advanced theological research degree offered by universities, divinity schools, and seminaries.-North America:In North America, the Master of Theology is considered by the Association of Theological Schools to be the minimum educational credential for teaching...
(1955) from Westminster Theological Seminary
Westminster Theological Seminary
Westminster Theological Seminary is a Presbyterian and Reformed Christian graduate educational institution located in Glenside, Pennsylvania, with a satellite location in London.-History:...
. Stek was ordained as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church
Christian Reformed Church in North America
The Christian Reformed Church in North America is a Protestant Christian denomination in the United States and Canada. Having roots in the Dutch Reformed churches of the Netherlands, the Christian Reformed Church was founded by Gijsbert Haan and Dutch immigrants who left the Reformed Church in...
in Raymond, Minnesota
Raymond, Minnesota
Raymond is a city in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 764 at the 2010 census. Apol's Harley Davidson draws many Harley enthusiasts from the west-central Minnesota area to its dealership. Additionally, the Hawk Creek Country Club draws golfers in the area, being the...
. He pursued further post-graduate studies at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
from 1965 to 1966, and doctoral work at the Free University of Amsterdam from 1973 to 1974.
Career
Stek joined the faculty of Calvin Theological Seminary in 1961 as a professor of Old TestamentOld Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
, continuing until his retirement in 1990. He joined the Committee on Bible Translation in 1965, and later served as Chairman for 15 years. He was a member of the team that translated the New International Version
New International Version
The New International Version is an English translation of the Christian Bible. Published by Zondervan in the United States and by Hodder & Stoughton in the UK, it has become one of the most popular modern translations in history.-History:...
(1978) and Today's New International Version
Today's New International Version
Today's New International Version is an English translation of the Bible developed by the Committee on Bible Translation. The CBT also developed the New International Version in the 1970s. The TNIV is based on the NIV. It is explicitly Protestant like its predecessor; the deuterocanonical books...
(2003). In 1978, he began work as editor of the NIV Study Bible
NIV Study Bible
The NIV Study Bible is a study Bible originally published by Zondervan in 1985 which uses the New International Version . Revisions include 1995, a full revision in 2002, an update in October 2008 for the 30th anniversary of the NIV, and a new update in 2011...
, published in 1985 and fully revised in 2002.
Stek also served the denomination on several synodical study committees: Infallibility (1959-1961), Neo-Pentecostalism (1971-1973), Revision of the Form of Subscription (1974-1976), and Interchurch Relations (1975-1981). In 2008, Stek was presented with a Distinguished Alumni Award from Calvin Theological Seminary.