Dr. Arjan de Visser & Family
Dr. Arjan de Visser entered the ministry in 1988 as a Dutch Reformed missionary sent to proclaim the gospel in South Africa. In 2001 Arjan completed a Doctor of Theology (Th. D.) at Potschefstroom University in missiological studies. He continued ministering in various locations in the South African mission field until 2004 when he accepted the appointment to serve as Professor of Ministry and Mission at the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary. He and his family currently live in Hamilton, Ontario. Teaching, preaching, guest lecturing and writing keep this well-travelled professor quite occupied and so I am doubly pleased he found the time to answer some questions about his involvement in Christ’s Psalms, Our Psalms. Enjoy! Peter Holtvlüwer
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PH: Let me start by thanking you for your contribution to Christ’s Psalms, Our Psalms. Besides being invited, what drew you to participate in this project?
AD: I appreciated the opportunity to study a number of psalms in-depth. Previously, I had only studied psalms in connection with special occasions (weddings, etc.). Participating in this project would allow me to delve deeply into a series of psalms.
PH: Which particular psalms did you work on? There was some (limited) choice in psalm assignments – was there anything special about this group for you? Please tell us about it.
AD: I picked Psalms 23 to 32. The reason for me was that there are two personal favorites in this group (Pss. 25, 27) and also two well-known psalms that are often used in church life (Pss. 23, 32). I figured that besides making a contribution to the CPOP project, I would also be able to use my studies for sermon preparation. So far, I have been able to write sermons on five of the psalms I studied.
PH: One of the key things you were asked to find were legitimate connections to Jesus Christ in each psalm. How did you find this task (difficult or…)? Did your psalms present any distinctive difficulties in this respect? Did you learn of any connections to Christ that were new to you?
AD: It is interesting that you ask about “legitimate” connections. It is quite possible to suggest all kinds of connections to Christ in the Psalms, but such ideas should not be the product of our own fantasy. There are legitimate connections indeed. Each psalm, in its own unique way, points forward to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Sometimes it’s obvious, for example what Psalm 23 says about the good shepherd and how this is fulfilled in Jesus Christ (John 10). Sometimes it 
is a little harder, for example with Psalm 29, the Psalm about the thunderstorm. But even there we see the contours of the Son of God who had authority to calm the storm (Mark 4:35-41), and whose kingship shall have no end.
PH: You are a full-time professor with plenty of demands on your schedule. How did you manage to work on Christ’s Psalms, Our Psalms alongside of your regular work? Did you encounter any special challenges? What sorts of things did you do to help you complete the assignment?
AD: It would be impossible for me to work on CPOP during the teaching season. But we do have a fairly lengthy summer break (May-August). This allowed me to complete my assignments for CPOP. During three consecutive years (2014-2016) I used 3 to 4 weeks in May-June to work on this project.
PH: How many hours (on average) did you put into each psalm? How did your wife feel about your involvement in Christ’s Psalms, Our Psalms?
AD: It would take me about a week to study a psalm and write the three requested documents on it (one for the Study Resource and two for the Devotional). These were only first drafts and I would get comments and suggestions from the chief editor. I was usually able to do revisions alongside my regular duties at the seminary. All in all, I would estimate that I spent 40-50 hours on each psalm. It was time well spent. My wife never complained about it. She loves the Psalms very much and she was glad to see me spend more time studying them.
PH: Tell us about one of the most interesting or surprising things that you learned in working on your psalms.
AD: To begin with, I learned to appreciate the poetic beauty of the Psalms. Each psalm has its own structure, figures of speech, and “tone” (urgent plea, contemplative song of praise, etc.). In addition, I developed a deeper appreciation for David as a servant of God. All the psalms assigned to me were composed by David, and because the Psalms are so personal, you feel like you get really close to the man. What a remarkable man he was, as a king of Israel, a gifted poet, but also a child of God who loved his God and Saviour dearly. Proof of the powerful work of the Holy Spirit!
PH: How did the study of the Psalms impact you personally?
AD: It impacted me in various ways. To mention one example: During the summer of 2016 I visited my parents in the Netherlands several times because they were both suffering from ill health. With Psalms 23-32 fresh in my mind, I did a series of simple evening devotions with them, reading and meditating on one Psalm every evening. It was a beautiful thing to do.
PH: CPOP Study Resource was developed in part with Christian teachers and preachers in mind. In your mind, what stands out as the most useful features for educators? For ministers?
AD: For educators, I would say that using the CPOP Study Resource will help them understand specific psalms well, also in their gospel message for today. This will enable teachers to speak about the psalms with enthusiasm as they lead students in Bible study and worship. There is one proviso: they should really take the time to study each psalm and contemplate its message! For ministers, similarly, I think the CPOP Study Resource will be a good tool to use for sermon preparation.
PH: How do you think people in your church might use either CPOP’s Study Resource or Devotional? What benefits do you see in this material for ordinary Christians?
AD: Church members in general can use the devotionals that are forthcoming and read them at the dinner table or other occasions. I’m sure they will be edified. Church members could also use the CPOP Study Resource if they want to delve more deeply into certain psalms.
PH:
In the past you have served as a missionary in South Africa and presently you are a professor in a Reformed seminary in Canada. Is there a role for CPOP to play in benefitting the larger Reformed communities in both South Africa and North America? How about the wider Christian community in both regions?
AD: I believe that both in Africa and in North America there is a need to learn how the Psalms in various ways speak about our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The CPOP project will be a very helpful resource. It has a clear Christological focus. It is written in language that both lay members and church leaders can understand.
**fini**
Photo by www.steveconover.info 