Two new professors to join PThU

The Chair of Science & Piety was created partly at the initiative of the Ad Pias Causas Foundation. This foundation values the study of theology and philosophy at the time of the Reformation and proposed that PThU sponsor research on this theme. PThU subsequently developed a profile for a chair and a research programme. The research focuses on the European Reformation, its antecedents and its effects. A systematic study of Voetius' theology is also planned.

Dr Aza Goudriaan (1969) has done pre-eminent research on the relationships between theology and philosophy, especially in the early modern period. He also has a substantial track record in historical research on the theology of Gisbertus Voetius, the protagonist of the intended research programme. In the field of the history of churches and ideas, including that of the Reformation, Goudriaan taught several courses. He also taught two modules on the theology of Voetius.

‘Study of Reformation history as naturally relevant’

Aza Goudriaan: ‘I am very happy with the confidence of those who have made this new appointment possible. For a church that "must always be reformed" (semper reformanda, according to a classical expression), the study of Reformation history is also, as a matter of course, always relevant. The research associated with my appointment conceives of the Reformation as a "long" reformation and focuses primarily on the theology of Gisbertus Voetius (1589-1676). I find Voetius a fascinating thinker who never ceases to surprise. He processed exceptionally many different sources and he connected many different fields of knowledge in his thinking. He wrote about philosophy, but also about the Bible, prayer, the church. How did he connect such different things within dealing with God? An answer to that historical question will, I think, also be instructive for theology and church today.’

Dr Wim Moehn (1965) has been an associate professor on behalf of the Reformed Union at PThU for many years. During that period, he supervised many students with their master's thesis. Among other things, he did research on the person and work of Guido de Brès and on the forms of the Reformed liturgy. The latter study, which also involved several other researchers, led to the authoritative publication De Nederlandse gereformeerde Liturgie 1566-1639 in December 2024.

Crowning achievement

Piet Vergunst, general secretary of the Reformed Union, commented on Dr Moehn's appointment: ‘The appointment of Dr Wim Moehn as full-time professor at PThU is a crowning achievement for his commitment to the academy over the past decade and his dedication to Reformation theology throughout his adult life. It is also a recognition of the conviction that knowledge of Reformation sources is indispensable for the life of the church today. Especially at a time when many institutions are vulnerable, an appointment in the field of classical theology is a strengthening of PThU's position, which we gratefully note.’

Keeping an eye on practice of church life

Dr Wim Moehn is surprised and pleased with his appointment. ‘I see the good news that my part-time special professorship will be converted into a full-time personal professorship as the crowning achievement of a period of 35 years of being a pastor in various congregations. In my teaching and research, I always try to keep the practice of church life in mind. I want the research into the sources of Reformed liturgy and prayers to serve the practice of church life. Expanding the time for research also means for me that I can again pay attention to my first love in the academic field: unlocking the works of John Calvin.’