Lester DeKoster

Lester De Koster
Born(1915-04-21)April 21, 1915
Zeeland, Michigan, U.S.
DiedApril 19, 2009(2009-04-19) (aged 93)
Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
OccupationsLibrarian, educator, author, editor
OrganizationsCalvin University, Christian Reformed Church in North America
Notable workCommunism and Christian Faith (1962); The Deacon’s Handbook (1980); Light for the City (2004)
SpouseRuth De Vries
Children4

Lester Ronald DeKoster (21 April 1915 – 19 April 2009) was an American librarian, educator, editor and author affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church of North America (CRC) and Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Early life and education

De Koster was born in Zeeland, Michigan, on April 21 1915. In his youth he was a competitive tennis player. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy. After the war, he taught and coached debate at South High School in Grand Rapids before joining Calvin College as a member of the faculty. His undergraduate degree was from Calvin College. He then earned a master’s degree in speech from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in library science from the University of Chicago.

Career

DeKoster was director of the library at Calvin College and Seminary from 1951 to 1969. He earned a doctorate from the University of Michigan in 1964, where he wrote his dissertation on John Calvin. As library director, he expanded Calvin College’s holdings in Calvin studies. In addition to his work as a librarian, he was also a speech professor at Calvin.

After his retirement he served as editor of The Banner, the official magazine of the CRC, for ten years. He wrote several books, including Communism and Christian Faith (1962) and Work, the Meaning of Your Life: A Christian Perspective (1982). DeKoster established the Christian's Library Press with Gerard Berghoef, with whom he also wrote The Elders Handbook: A Practical Guide for Church Leaders (1979) as well as The Deacon’s Handbook: A Manual of Stewardship (1980). DeKoster and Berghoef described work as “the fundamental form of stewardship” and as a means for spiritual growth.

DeKoster's final book was on John Calvin and the role of preaching in modern civic life.

Philosophy and viewpoints

DeKoster emphasized preaching the Word and church-based evangelism. He argued that the Great Commission was addressed to the Church rather than to individual Christians. He identified with confessional Reformed Christianity and criticized fundamentalism. He also supported cooperation with Roman Catholics. He was opposed to abortion and rejected the "new theology" associated with Harry M. Kuitert. He was also critical of the teaching of evolution and Marxism.

Personal life and death

DeKoster married Ruth De Vries in 1941. The couple were married for nearly 68 years and had four children. He died on April 19, 2009 in Grand Rapids, two days before his ninety-fourth birthday.

Selected publications

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Estep, Darin (20 April 2009). "Lester DeKoster dies; was former Calvin College librarian and professor, editor of Christian Reformed Church magazine The Banner". mlive.com. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "De Koster, Lester (1915-2009)". Calvin University Archives. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  3. ↑ ""Dissertation Information for Lester Ronald De Koster"". MPACT – The Public’s Library and Digital Archive. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Lester DeKoster". Acton Institute. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  5. ↑ Ballor, Jordan J. (2009). "A Legacy of Stewardship". Journal of Markets and Morality. 12 (2). ProQuest 1438888999. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  6. ↑ "People of the Faith". The Grand Rapids Press. July 31, 2004. p. B2. ProQuest 285753082. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  7. ↑ Crumm, David (February 10, 2007). "Physicist Defends Evolution and God: Professor Survived Calvin College Trial". Detroit Free Press. ProQuest 436783279. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  8. ↑ Elder, Robert E. (1986). "Gerard Berghoef and Lester DeKoster, "Liberation Theology, The Church's Future Shock" (Book Review)". Christian Scholar's Review. 15 (2): 183.
  9. ↑ MacKenzie, Kenneth (1964). "Lester DeKoster: "Communism and Christian Faith and Vocabulary of Communism" (Book Review)". Scottish Journal of Theology. 17 (4). Scottish Academic Press: 498. doi:10.1017/S0036930600023255.
  10. ↑ Douglas, J. D. (1963). "Communism and Christian Faith. By Lester DeKoster. (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1962.)". Evangelical Quarterly. 35 (2): 117–118. doi:10.1163/27725472-03502012.