The papers of Clyde Holbrook, Danforth Professor Emeritus of Religion, consist primarily of lecture notes and writings from eight classes that he taught in Oberlin College’s Department of Religion from 1958 to 1985. The collection does not include any correspondence or other personal papers relating to Holbrook’s campus and community activities. According to Mrs. Holbrook, her late husband did not retain his own correspondence files. The biographical series contains some documentation relating to the awards and honors received by Holbrook.

The lecture notes in this collection span nearly thirty years and comprise approximately 1.95 linear feet. Most of these notes are handwritten, with a few typewritten copies. Many of the folders include newspaper clippings relating to the subjects of the notes. The series description for Series IV files relating to courses taught by Clyde Holbrook, contain additional detail concerning the following courses:

Contemporary Religious Thought (#39)
Criticisms of Religion (#41)
Early American Religious Thought & Culture (#20)
Introduction to Religion (#1)
Jonathan Edwards Seminar (#40)
Life and Teachings of Jesus (#7)
Modern Religious Thought (#25 & #26)
Rise of Christianity (#8)

The Jonathan Edwards Seminar lecture notes included a typescript copy of Holbrook’s book Jonathan Edwards, the Valley and Nature.... It appeared to be used in conjunction with that seminar and thus was placed at the end of the series containing the seminar notes.

In addition, the collection contains miscellaneous course outlines and bibliographies, while two other series contain published and unpublished writings. These three series comprise 0.55 lin. ft. and span the years 1935-1989.

Series I. Biographical File 1951-1984(0.05 l.f.)

This series contains press releases concerning Holbrook’s appointments to the Oberlin College, as well as his publications, awards received, and talks. Also included are work related correspondence (especially concerning tenure), and a representation of the “Holbrook” family crest.

Series II. Certificates and Awards 1934-1969 (0.05 f.)

Included within this series are Holbrook’s diplomas from The Colgate-Rochester Divinity School and Denison University, ordination papers, honors, and awards.

Series III. Course Outlines and Bibliographies (Miscellaneous) 1930s-50s (1 f.)

The bulk of the course outlines and bibliographies are undated, although a few are dated in the 1930s and 1940s. Mrs. Holbrook termed these her husband’s “early course outlines,” and they appear to include some from courses he taught at Oberlin in the 1950s.

Series IV. Files Relating to Courses Taught by Clyde Holbrook, n.d. ( 1.95 l.f.)

“ Contemporary Religious Thought,” n.d. (1 f.)
This course was an extension of “Modern Religious Thought” and dealt with themes in religious thought of the 1960s and 1970s. An undated syllabus, a few lecture notes, and two clippings on contemporary theology are included.
“ Criticisms of Religion” (0.2 l.f.)
A course which evaluated criticisms of religion and theology from the Enlightenment to the present, covering such thinkers as David Hume, Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, Karl Barth, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. One folder contains two syllabi from the school years 1974-1975 and 1976-1977. Six other folders contain mostly handwritten, undated notes on the broad topics of positivism and Alfred North Whitehead.
“Early American Religious Thought and Culture,” n.d. (0.4 l.f.)
An evaluative study covering seventeenth century Puritanism through nineteenth century Social Gospel movement, as well as English Puritanism and sectarianism. Folders include syllabi and a bibliography, all undated.
“Introduction to Religion” (0.05 l.f.)
A critical introduction to the common religious quests of humankind, including both Western and Eastern traditions. Series includes one syllabus dated 1976-1977 and two subject folders—one on humanism and one on phenomenology. The latter folder contains one blank exam.

“Jonathan Edwards Seminar” (0.15 l.f.)
A critical analysis of Edwards’ life, early writings on mind and nature, sermons, revivalistic work, and major treatises—with special attention given to his ethical speculations. Series contains one syllabus dated 1976-1977, lecture notes on four of Edwards’ treatises (presented to Professor Geoffrey Blodgett’s history class on 10/4/82), and lecture notes and syllabus for a spring 1985 seminar entitled “Thought of Jonathan Edwards.” This series also contains a 162-page typescript (with a few handwritten notes) of Holbrook’s monograph, “Jonathan Edwards, the Valley and Nature: An Interpretive Essay.” This typescript includes footnotes and a bibliography.
“Life and Teachings of Jesus” (0.2 l.f.)
A critical study of the life and teachings of Jesus, based on the Four Gospels. Included in the series are a syllabus, 1963-1964; exams, 1958, 1960-1961, 1980; and lecture notes. Folders containing lecture notes are numbered in the following manner: A1, A2, B1 & 2, B3-8, C1-4, E & F. Other folders have the following headings: Parables/Prayer, Passion/Crucifixion, Resurrection.
“Modern Religious Thought” (0.8 l.f.)
The critical study of modern religious thought and theology through the 1950s, covering Immanuel Kant and Soren Kjerkegaard, to Alfred North Whitehead. A relatively complete series, including syllabi from the years 1963-1973, 1976-1977, 1980-1981, 1984; exam forms (some with handwritten notes) from 1961-1973; and lecture notes.
“ Rise of Christianity” (0.15 l.f.)
An evaluative study of the origins of Christianity, with special attention given to Saint Paul, the Apostle. According to a note on one of the folders, Clyde Holbrook taught this course first, then Tom Frank, and then Holbrook taught it again after Frank died in 1980. This accounts for the variation in handwriting. The series contains one syllabus dated 1981 as well as lecture notes.

Series V. Sermons and Talks, 1941-1987 (0.5 l.f.)

The series contains unpublished handwritten drafts and typed copies of various sermons and speeches given by Holbrook, roughly dated 1940s-1980s.

Series VI. Writings (Published) 1949-1989 (0.15 l.f.)

Included are Holbrook’s published articles, 1949-1983. Also included are published book reviews by Holbrook,1948-1989, and about Holbrook’s two books,1970-1973.

Series VII. Writings by (Unpublished) 1987-1989 (0.4 l.f.)

Included are typed copies of various papers written by Holbrook. Also included are a typescript copy of Holbrook’s autobiographical statement (c. 1989), his unfinished book The Doubting Believer, and drafts for his book Jonathan Edwards, The Valley and Nature (c. 1987).

Series VIII. Photographs

This includes a single photograph of Holbrook’s Colgate-Rochester Divinity School class of 1937.