PThU News
- Introducing Dr. Kevin Muriithi Ndereba, Project Coordinator for Anglophone AfricaThe Editorial Board of African Theology Worldwide is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Kevin Muriithi Ndereba as the Project Coordinator for Anglophone Africa. This appointment is made possible through the generous support of Church in Action (Kerk in Actie) and marks the beginning of a new and exciting partnership between the Protestant Theological University (the Netherlands) and Saint Paul’s University (Kenya).
- “Confessions are not fossilised history”What is the foundation of the Church? For Wim Moehn, the answer is clear: what we confess as believers determines who we are, how we present ourselves, and what we have to say in this world. That is why the so-called confessional texts play such a crucial role in the Church—not only those from the past, but also the ways in which we confess our faith today, in our current time and context. As a researcher, he has spent many years studying both classical and contemporary confessional writings. From May onwards, he will do so as Professor of the History of Reformed Protestantism at the Protestant Theological University (PThU).
- Two new professors to join PThUThe Protestant Theological University (PThU) has gained two new professors. The synod of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands yesterday ratified the PThU Executive Board's decision to grant Dr Aza Goudriaan a personal chair of Science & Piety and Dr Wim Moehn a personal chair of History of Reformed Protestantism. The appointed professors will start in their new roles on 1 May 2025.
- Prof Martha Frederiks appointed rector PThUDuring its meeting on 10 April 2025, the General Synod of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands ratified the decision of the Supervisory Board of the Protestant Theological University (PThU) to appoint Prof Martha Frederiks as rector of the PThU. Martha Frederiks is currently working at Utrecht University but will start at the PThU on 1 August. The PThU is very pleased with the appointment: 'With Martha Frederiks as rector, we are bringing in a valued theologian and someone with extensive administrative experience.’
- ‘Visibility can be liberating, but it makes you vulnerable as well’What and who is considered human is something that constantly needs to be defined—and sometimes fought for. Few understand this better than Hanna Reichel: as a professor of systematic theology at Princeton Theological Seminary and as a person who, in the current political climate in the United States, identifies as non-binary. This month, Reichel is a guest at the Protestant Theological University (PThU), engaging in profound and intensive discussions with students and faculty.
- PThU can start the new Bachelor of TheologyAfter the Minister of Education made a positive decision in November last year, the Protestant Theological University (PThU) has now also received positive word from the accreditation organisation NVAO about the new Bachelor of Theology. This means that the PThU can proceed with the new programme. "We are extremely pleased with this decision, as it confirms the quality of the programme and the structure of this course," said Rector Klaas Spronk. "Now we can welcome the first students as early as September."
- Moral Compass Project to be expandedThe Moral Compass Project (MCP) is being expanded with four new research projects. This new funding will firstly enable the MCP's major questions to be investigated in very concrete areas of life where the good living together must be given shape. Secondly, interdisciplinary research is incorporated in the project with studies into ancient Jewish and early Christian sources. How can the wealth of values from these sources be unlocked for moral reflection and practice in the present day?
- “Christians in Spain hold up a mirror to us”How can churches make themselves more visible in society? That question led Marten van den Toren-Liefting to a Pentecostal church in Spain in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. There, he conducted research into how these churches engage with society through their faith. On February 24, he defended his PhD thesis on this research.
- "Prayer is not mine, and it does not depend on me"Researcher Ilonka Terlouw hasn’t always been a prayer warrior, she says. But she has experienced the power of prayer in her life—perhaps most profoundly when she left the ‘talking to God’ to others. “That was when I realised just how much prayer is also about connection with one another.” Fascinated by the way prayer connects us to God and to each other, she recently began a study into the value of prayer.
- A glimpse of God through the textsShe compares studying and interpreting the Bible to detective work. The witnesses have long since passed away, and only fragments of texts and archaeological findings remain. Yet, we strive to take another step forward in understanding what is written. With this approach, Marjo Korpel will be continuing her work, now as Professor of Old Testament. 'It's fascinating to recognise glimpses of real people from long ago in these ancient texts. And to realise that, at times, they wrestled with ideas of faith just as we do now.'
- Not just a bowl of soupWhen Thijs Tromp speaks about the future of diaconate, he becomes energised. He is thrilled that in the coming years, he will continue his research on diaconal practices and theory as a professor at the PThU. Working together with diaconal organisations is essential for this academic chair, he emphasises. 'That connection is incredibly important.'
- PThU Professor Mirella Klomp appointed Theologian Laureate of the NetherlandsMirella Klomp, Professor of Practical Theology at the Protestant Theological University (PThU), has been appointed Theologian Laureate of the Netherlands for 2024-2025 (Theoloog des Vaderlands) during the Night of Theology. This coming year she will represent and give voice to theology in Dutch society.
- Waiting for God: an afternoon with Andrew RootOnce, the world had not yet been disenchanted, and the role of the Church was clear: to provide access to the transcendent through the sacraments. After the Enlightenment, the world became a material universe in which faith retained a place only within the Church. In our postmodern era, however, all forms of belief are fundamentally questioned. Therefore, as a Church and as a community, we must focus on actively waiting for God, according to American theologian Andrew Root. He spoke on 5 November to around 120 ministers and other church workers. His talk was given at the invitation of the research project "Future-Oriented Church."
- PThU appoints two professorsThe Protestant Theological University (PThU) has appointed Dr Marjo Korpel as Professor of Old Testament Studies and Prof Dr Thijs Tromp as Professor of Diaconate Studies. The proposed appointments by the PThU’s Executive Board received formal approval from the General Synod of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands on Thursday, 7 November, thus finalising the appointments. Through these appointments, the Executive Board aims not only to deepen and strengthen teaching and research at the PThU, but also to connect with and inspire practical work within the church.
- Contaminated history in StellenboschDangerous Memories. To discuss this topic, researchers from the Protestant Theological University (PThU) travelled to meet their counterparts at their partner university in Stellenbosch, South Africa, for their annual joint consultation. In the South African context, dangerous memories quickly evoke thoughts of colonialism and apartheid. These forces not only shaped history but continue to influence the present. How should we deal with memories that pose a danger in today's world?
- Why pursue a PhD after studying Theology?There is a high demand for pastors in the church. You might expect theology students to immediately transition to a congregation after obtaining their degree. However, some choose to pursue a PhD. Why?
- International committee praises research at PThUThe PThU has received a glowing review from the international committee that evaluated its research over the past five years (2018-2023). The committee was chaired by Professor Geurt Henk van Kooten of the University of Cambridge. Among the praise, the committee highlighted the clear direction of the PThU, the "courageous decision" to consolidate operations in a single location, and the exemplary supervision of PhD candidates.
- International students graduate cum laudeInternational students Beatrix Biró and Norbert Nagy graduated cum laude in August. Beatrix Biró made a fascinating comparison between an exegesis and a bibliolog study of 2 Kings 4:1-7, to gain insight into how the latter broadens the horizon of understanding the text. Norbert Nagy's innovative research tried to (re)explore the traditions from the Gospels where Jesus might have been in touch with real slavery. Both are students from our esteemed Romanian partner institution the Protestant Theological Institute in Cluj-Napoca.
- Library services during PThU move to UtrechtDuring PThU's move to Utrecht, users need to take into account a number of temporary changes regarding services, borrowing books and the availability of the collection.
- IRTI Conference starts at Universitas Kristen Duta WacanaThe 15th biennial IRTI Conference starts today in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Around fifty theologians from Asia, Africa, Europe and North America will be collectively reflecting on the topic ‘Peace among the Nations: Reformed Theology and Geopolitical Conflicts’.
