PThU News
- Opening academic year is end and beginning of an era for PThUWith the departure of inspiring leader Mechteld Jansen on September 3, an era came to an end. At the same time, the PThU stands at the beginning of a hopeful new era with successor Maarten Wisse, who wants to reinvent theology with the PThU. During the opening of the academic year, the departing and starting rector held stimulating speeches.
- PhD defence: Community as MissionBerdine van den Toren-Lekkerkerker will defend her PhD thesis Community as Mission. The Church Mission Society as Gift and Call in an Individualised and Globalised World.
- Research into LGBTI+ inclusivity gives all European churches homeworkHow LGBTI-inclusive are European churches? The Protestant Theological University was asked to investigate that question in 2019 by the European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups. Heleen Zorgdrager and Rein Brouwer then looked at the inclusiveness of 46 European churches. Tomorrow they will present the results of their research and a number of "steps forward".
- Prof. Dr. Maarten Wisse appointed new PThU rectorProf. Dr Maarten Wisse will be the new rector of the Protestant Theological University as of the academic year 2021-2022. On Wednesday evening, April 21, the General Synod of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands expressed agreement on his appointment as rector. Wisse succeeds Prof. Dr. Mechteld Jansen, who held this position for seven years. The transfer of the rectorship will take place on 3 September during the opening of the academic year in Amsterdam.
- African theology worldwide website launchesOver the last three years, Benno van den Toren, Sam Bussey, and Bosco Bangura have worked hard together as a team at the Protestant Theological University to build the website African Theology Worldwide. Developed in collaboration with scholars and librarians in Africa and around the globe, African Theology Worldwide is a new and developing, freely accessible online platform for African Christian Theology.
- Food in Times of Crisis: Emergency Relief Provided by Churches in Amsterdam Zuidoost during the Covid-19 PandemicBefore the Covid-19 crisis, churches organized many activities in De Nieuwe Stad in Amsterdam Zuidoost, including serving free meals for everyone who wanted them. When this was no longer possible because of the Covid-19 measures, the international church, Treasures International Ministries, and Diaconie Evangelisch Lutherse Gemeente Amsterdam decided to work together and start delivering meals to people’s houses.
- Mechteld Jansen to step down as rector and succession procedure to startAs of the new academic year 2021-2022, Mechteld Jansen will step down as rector of the PThU.
- Migration, gender, poverty and the climate: a successful symposiumMore than one hundred theologians from Asia, Africa, Latin-America, Australia and Europe focused on four global challenges on 16 and 17 October: migration, gender, poverty and the climate. Theology has to occupy itself with what really matters. Churches and faithful have a calling to solidarity with whoever suffers under injustice. The global South challenges European theology in this respect.
- Digitalization in the church in the Corona PeriodThe international ecumenical research project CONTOC – Churches Online in Times of Corona – is examining church practice in the Corona period. PThU-researchers prof. dr. Henk de Roest en dr. Theo Pleizier participate in this project.
- Use of study workplaces on locationFrom July 7, it is possible to use a study workplace at the locations in Amsterdam and Groningen. The following terms and conditions apply.
- PThU: Racism affects us allThe greatest good is being who you are. To be able to stand for what you believe and hope and love. Independent of skin color and culture, gender and religion, limitation or belief. As PThU we believe that it is precisely this diversity that gives shine and color to creation. Violating people's rights based on their skin color affects us all. When that happens, you cannot stand on the sidelines. Not as a person and not as a university.
- In memoriam: Marie Violette RandrianarisonWe are sad to inform you of the passing of Mrs Marie Violette Randrianarison, a PhD candidate and former student at the Protestant Theological University in Groningen. Marie Violette passed away on 24 June, 2020 in Antananarivo (Madagascar).
- Library expands supply of digital resourcesWant to read one of the more than 500 volumes of the Loeb Classical Library? Study the recently published titles Oxford handbook of Karl Barth (2019) or Wiley Blackwell companion to Karl Barth (2020)? Do you prefer to read the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (German or English)? Or consult the Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament? This is all possible from your home office.
- Update library servicesDue to the corona outbreak, the PThU University library provides most of her services digitally. However, you might need materials from PThU's physical collection. To request those materials, you can now use a form.
- Corona virus update: PThU follows government recommendationsPThU has decided to follow government policy and will keep its buildings closed for physical activities until 28 April. As announced earlier, education will remain long-distance until 29 June.
- Education will remain long-distanceThe PThU has decided to prolong the educational measures we have taken up to and including Monday 29 June. These measures would originally apply until 6 April.
- PThU to temporarily suspend educationFollowing the government guidelines and decisions made at other universities, PThU has decided to cancel all classes and tests for the (joint) bachelor, master, premaster and international master. This also applies to post academic education, PNP education and KPV trainings. This situation will continue until at least 6 April. Whether classes and tests will be offered in a different form, is currently under investigation. You will be informed when there is more information.
- PThU takes corona measuresThe Dutch cabinet decided on Thursday 12 March that all science education in universities will be suspended until at least 31 March. The PThU will follow this advice and has taken the following measures.
- Dutch ministers visit Schechter Insitute during PThU Study Trip to IsraelThere is a long collaboration between the Schechter Institute Jerusalem and the Protestant Theological University (PThU) in the Netherlands. Since 2018, this collaboration has been expanded with a staff and student exchange through the Erasmus + program of the European Union. On January 27, PThU professor Dineke Houtman visited the Schechter Institute with 23 ministers from the Protestant church in the Netherlands who undertook a study trip to Israel as part of their continuing education. The theme of the tour was a reflection on the relation between Judaism and Christianity. The minister came from the width of the Protestant Church from liberal to orthodox.
- PThU starts first edition of Initial Graduate School in GroningenThe first edition of the Initial Graduate School (IGS) started at the PThU in Groningen last week. The IGS started with twenty participants from Africa, Asia, and Europe.
