Synod 2025 appointed Jessica Joustra, Ph.D., to a teaching position in systematic theology at Calvin Theological Seminary. Synod is the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. It is meeting June 13-19 in Ancaster, Ont.
Aaron Greydanus, Classis Heartland, interviewed Joustra and then opened the floor for delegates to ask additional questions.
Joustra, who is currently the program director and an associate professor of religion and theology at Redeemer University, described herself as “a daughter of the CRC,” saying, “My faith story is indescribably tied with this church in beautiful ways.” Joustra said she was baptized, married, and her son was baptized in the CRC. She learned about Jesus from a young age and found her experience at Calvin University had a big impact on her faith journey. “Calvin University helped me piece together this big vision of Christ’s kingship, the gospel—that joyful tiding.” Despite never imagining herself in seminary, she went, and it was “a faithful next step in a response to God’s call.”
Joustra's concentration in studies and teaching is the theologian Herman Bavinck, whom she quoted several times during the synodical interview.
When asked about how she would disciple students who are wrestling with theology in her classroom and office she said, “I don’t think we have to be afraid of wrestling, because I have confidence in what we teach.”
A delegate asked Joustra about the doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement and its mischaracterization. “Penal substitutionary atonement is in no way child abuse” and to characterize it that way “is to fundamentally misunderstand the Trinity,” Joustra said. She added, “Most of our theological errors, if not all of them, stem in some way, shape or form from a misunderstanding of the Trinity,” which is indivisible, wholly God.
John Tamming, Classis Huron, asked a pointed question about wholeheartedly confessing the Heidelberg Catchism’s Q&A 108—“that God condemns all unchastity, and that therefore we should thoroughly detest it.” Tamming said, “The price of admission now to leadership in the CRC is to sign that we ‘detest’ the shared lives of two women and two men.” (Synod 2022 declared as confessional that unchastity encompasses homosexual sex.) “As you encounter students at the seminary who may be in a same-sex orientation, could you speak pastorally to how you’ve signed onto ‘detesting’ it?”
Joustra referenced the CRC’s key distinction between orientation and activity. She said, “I do believe that marriage, as God intended, is between one man and woman. I do not believe that conviction breaks down our ability to learn from one another or dialogue with one another.” Joustra said, “A conviction on sexuality does not negate civility, care, compassion, and generosity.”
Joustra earned a joint Ph.D. from Fuller Theological Seminary and Vrije Universiteit, as well as her M. Div from Calvin Theological Seminary. In addition to working at Redeemer, she is an associate researcher at the Neo-Calvinist Research Institute of the Theologische Universiteit Kampen.
Her position at Calvin Theological Seminary will begin in summer 2026, filling a position becoming vacant this summer with the retirement of Mary Vanden Berg, Ph.D. Jared Michelson, Ph.D., also appointed in systematic theology by Synod 2025, will begin his position at the same time.
Greydanus said Michelson and Joustra will “be a dynamic powerhouse at the seminary.”
Synod 2025, the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, is meeting June 13-19 on the campus of Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ont. Find daily coverage from The Banner at TheBanner.org/synod. Visit crcna.org/synod for the agenda, advisory reports, recordings of plenary sessions, and to subscribe to the daily Synod News email.
About the Author
Kristen Parker is a freelance writer. She has a passion for words and creativity. Kristen and her husband Chris, enjoy board games and thrift shopping. They attend Stratford CRC in Stratford, Ont.