PThU appoints two professors
The 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.
Image: Wouter Muskee and Niek Stam Fotografie
Marjo Korpel as Professor of Old Testament Studies
Marjo Korpel is currently associated with the PThU as Senior Lecturer in Old Testament Studies, specialising in the context of the ancient Near East. She has also served as a minister since 1990, with a particular role since 1992 in the Protestant Church of Koudum. Her research addresses topics important for biblical interpretation, church, and faith, including the original poetic form of many biblical texts (such as the books of Ruth and Isaiah), the themes of God's silence and speech, and the Semantics of Ancient Hebrew Database. Additionally, she makes theology and biblical research accessible and relevant through the PThU Bible blog, sermons, and teaching workshops. Dr Korpel succeeds Prof Dr Klaas Spronk, who retired in May 2024.
Korpel on her motivation and inspiration: "My main drive is to make the Word of God understandable to people today, in contemporary language. The Bible is a dynamic book, which calls to be studied and contextualised anew again and again. I always remind my students: if you believe that the Bible is the Word of God, then it’s worth making the effort to understand it in all its depth and breadth, including in Hebrew and Greek, because with every translation, you lose part of the unique character of the written Word."
Thijs Tromp as Professor of Diaconate Studies
Thijs Tromp is already affiliated with the PThU as Special Professor of Diaconate, appointed through the Rotterdam Foundation. With the appointment of Thijs Tromp to a personal chair in Diaconate, the PThU seeks to strengthen research around social exclusion and inclusive diaconate, foster connections with practice, and give it an additional boost. “I see the PThU’s decision to incorporate the special chair in Diaconate as a regular chair within the university as recognition of the value and importance of diaconate. My research focuses on inclusive diaconate. What can diaconate mean for the inclusion of people in marginalised positions? How can the church be a welcoming place for all? How can encounters between people in vulnerable situations and those in privileged positions be promoted? What contemporary theological grounding is needed for this, especially in a time when the church itself is becoming increasingly marginalised? The chair collaborates closely with the diaconal field. In addition, it is working to establish a centre of expertise on faith, meaning, and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in faith communities, in partnership with churches, advocacy organisations, care providers, and theological education institutions. This centre, ELIM, is a milestone for the Chair of Diaconate Studies and a continuation of sustained attention to this theme.”
