International Bonhoeffer Congress 2028: Praying and Doing Justice

Spirituality and Political Responsibility

The rise of neo-nationalism and right-wing populism, alongside rapid developments in artificial intelligence, raises pressing questions for theology. Bonhoeffer’s reflections on Christian political responsibility offer a valuable starting point for engaging with these developments.

At the same time, interest in mysticism and spirituality, including their Christian forms, appears to be growing in post-Christian societies. The political significance of this renewed interest remains largely unexplored. In Bonhoeffer’s work, however, Christian spiritual life and responsibility for others are closely connected.

The congress will examine what can be learned from this connection today. It will consider both the continuing relevance and the limitations of Bonhoeffer’s thought, opening space for theological reflection on contemporary challenges.

The German- and Dutch-speaking sections of the International Bonhoeffer Society will jointly organise the congress, hosted by the Protestant Theological University. The gathering will build on the rich tradition of previous International Bonhoeffer Congresses.

Kenote speakers 

The keynote speakers confirmed so far are:

• Rev. dr. Pascal Bataringaya, President of the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda
• Prof. dr. Lori Brandt Hale, Professor and chair of religion at Augsburg University in Minneapolis (MN), US, president of the International Bonhoeffer Society – English Language Section
• Prof. dr. Marianne Heimbach-Steins, Senior Professor at the Institute for Christian Social Sciences, University of Münster
• Prof. dr. Edward van ’t Slot, Professor for professional and spiritual formation, Protestant Theological University Utrecht, NL, president of the Dutch Language Section of the International Bonhoeffer Society

Call for papers

While conference presentations may focus on either spirituality or political themes, the aim is to reflect on the relationship and tensions between the two. We therefore invite submissions that engage with spirituality, political responsibility, or the connection between them, specifically in relation to Bonhoeffer. Scholars at all career stages and ages interested in presenting on the conference theme are cordially invited to submit their proposals (approximately 200 words) by June 30, 2027 (23:59 CET) to bonhoeffer2028@pthu.nl.

Proposals should consist of two PDF files: a cover sheet and an abstract.

• The cover sheet PDF should include your name, your affiliated institution, your contact details (email, address, and telephone number), and the title of your proposed presentation (which should be as specific and clear as possible).
• The abstract PDF should include the same title as the cover sheet, followed by a substantive abstract of your planned presentation (approx. 200 words). Please ensure that the abstract PDF does not contain your name or any other information that could identify you as the author; this is to facilitate a blind review process.

Submitted proposals will undergo a review process based on the following criteria:

• The topic is academically innovative.
• The abstract promises a presentation on a high level of critical reflection.
• The topic and abstract clearly relate to the conference theme (see above). You can plan according to the following timeline:
• Submission of the title page (1 page) and abstract (approx. 200 words) by June 30, 2027, at 23:59 CET to bonhoeffer2028@pthu.nl.
• You will receive a decision regarding an invitation to present at the conference by September 30, 2027. 

… but there will be people who pray and do justice and wait for God’s own time. May you be one of them …(Source: Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison (DBWE 8), 390)

… aber es wird Menschen geben, die beten und das Gerechte tun und auf Gottes Zeit warten. Möchtest Du zu ihnen gehören …(Source: Bonhoeffer, Widerstand und Ergebung (DBW 8), 436)

Registration

Registration will be possible soon.