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- ‘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.
- “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.'
- 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?
- ‘Christianity didn't come out of the blue’For Lieve Teugels, her new full-time Judaica chair is a recognition. Of the importance of the study of Judaism within theology, but also of herself, as the first non-Protestant professor at the Protestant Theological University. She looks forward to making Judaism explicitly visible in teaching. ‘After all, early Judaism is emphatically part of Christian identity,’ she says.
- 'This is the place where it needs to happen'Faith is always looking for forms to express itself in. And those forms in turn give direction to faith. With this conviction, Mirella Klomp has been working as a practical theologian for years. In April she started as professor of practical theology: worship and formation at PThU.
