Klaas Schilder

Klaas Schilder (19 December 1890 – 23 March 1952) was a Dutch Neo-Calvinist theologian and professor in the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Dutch ''Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland'' or GKN) and later in the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (liberated) (Dutch ''Gereformeerde Kerken (vrijgemaakt)'').

Schilder was born into a national church (''Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk'') family in Kampen, the Netherlands; the family joined the Gereformeerde Kerken when he was a child. After graduating from a Reformed gymnasium (an academic high school), he took his theological studies at the Theological University of the Reformed Churches in Kampen and graduated ''cum laude'' in 1914. Schilder was a pastor at Ambt-Vollenhove, Vlaardingen, Gorinchem, Delft, Oegstgeest, and Rotterdam-Delfshaven. During his time as a minister Schilder published several books among which ''De Openbaring van Johannes en het Sociale Leven, Bij Dichters en Schriftgeleerden'' and the trilogy ''Christus in zijn Lijden.''

Schilder earned his doctorate from the Erlangen University in 1933, graduating ''summa cum laude,'' with a dissertation entitled ''Zur Begriffsgeschichte des Paradoxon.'' In 1934 he became Professor of Systematic Theology at Theological University of the Reformed Churches, a position he held until his death. Beginning in 1920, Schilder contributed to ''De Reformatie'' (The Reformation), a weekly Reformed journal. He became an editor for the publication in 1924 and its sole editor in 1935. As professor of theology Schilder published numerous books among which ''Heaven, what is it? (1935), Christ and Culture'' (1948) his uncompleted systematic theology, ''De Heidelbergse Catechismus (1947-1953).''

Schilder resisted the German invasion and opposed the Nazi conquest. He was arrested by the Germans in August 1940 and later released. Because he was so outspoken, Schilder spent much of the war in hiding.

On 3 August 1944, Schilder was suspended for being schismatic, and the Reformed community was incensed that one of its leaders had been so condemned. The result was a schism within the GKN and the birth of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (liberated), then consisting 216 congregations, 152 ministers, and 77,000 members. Schilder died of a heart attack on 23 March 1952.

Schilder was married to Johanna Walter. They had four children. Provided by Wikipedia