Protestant Theological University

About: Protestant Theological University is a education organization based out in Kampen, Netherlands. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Religious education & Protestantism. The organization has 86 authors who have published 188 publications receiving 889 citations.

The Hermeneutical Competence: How to Deal with Faith Issues in a Pluralistic Religious Context?

Abstract: Most of the faith-based schools in the Netherlands are either Protestant or Roman Catholic, although there are some Islamic faith-based schools. These schools operate in a complex system inherited from the typically Dutch ‘pillar system’. In this chapter, I explore some answers given by specialists in the field of religious education (RE) to the question how RE could contribute to the education of young people who are self-confident citizens in a multicultural, multi-religious society. First, I give a sketch of the Dutch educational system and some of the public debates about this system. Then, I give a brief overview of some trends in the formation of the religious identity of the younger generation; I here focus on young Muslims in the Netherlands. In the Dutch context, RE is sometimes seen as teaching into religion, sometimes as teaching about religion and sometimes as teaching from religion. In the last part of the chapter I focus on the context of schools with a Christian confessional background that struggle with the fact that they have to cater to a much more multi-religious school population.

Addressing spiritual needs in palliative care.: Proposal for a narrative and interfaith spiritual care intervention for chaplaincy.

Abstract: Although many recognize the importance of addressing the spiritual domain in palliative care, empirically grounded interventions designed to alleviate spiritual needs for patients in palliative care are remarkably scarce. In this paper we argue that the development of such interventions for chaplains is important in order to improve spiritual care in a (post)secular and religiously plural context. We therefore propose an interfaith chaplain-led spiritual care intervention for home-based palliative care that addresses patients’ spiritual needs. The intervention is based on elements of spiritual care interventions that have been investigated among other populations. Three important characteristics of the proposed intervention are (1) narrativity and the life story; (2) materiality, ritual and embodiment; and (3) imagination. The aim of this intervention is to improve palliative patients’ spiritual wellbeing. Using such a structured intervention can assist in improving spiritual care in palliative care.

Why Using Religious Arguments in the Euthanasia Discussion is Problematic

Abstract: espanolEn discusiones sobre la muerte asistida (eutanasia, suicidio asistido), aquellos que argumentan estar “en contra” de la legalizacion a menudo razonan desde un angulo religioso, mientras que los que estan “a favor” adoptan una postura secular. La experiencia holandesa es mas matizada: aqui, la defensa de la eutanasia se origino en gran medida por creyentes religiosos protestantes. En esta contribucion, critico el uso de argumentos religiosos que favorezcan cualquier posicion especifica. La religion puede proveer un contexto heuristico para explorar normas relevantes en la discusion, y la religion puede ayudarnos a formular nuestra postura personal. Pero cuando se trata de debates sociales (a menudo enfocados en la legalizacion o no de la eutanasia), debemos concentrarnos en argumentos juridicos, sociales, empiricos y eticos que sean comprensibles para todos. portuguesEm discussoes sobre a morte assistida (eutanasia, suicidio assistido), os que argumentam estar “contra” a legalizacao com frequencia pensam a partir de um ângulo religioso, enquanto os que estao “a favor” adotam um posicionamento secular. A experiencia holandesa e mais fusionada: aqui, a defesa da eutanasia foi originada em grande medida por crentes religiosos protestantes. Nesta contribuicao, critico o uso de argumentos religiosos que favorecam qualquer posicionamento especifico. A religiao pode promover um contexto heuristico para explorar normas relevantes na discussao, e a religiao pode ajudar-nos a formular nosso posicionamento pessoal. Contudo, quando e tratado de debates sociais (as vezes focados na legalizacao ou nao da eutanasia), devemos concentrar-nos em argumentos juridicos, sociais, empiricos e eticos que sejam compreensiveis para todos. EnglishIn discussions about assisted dying (euthanasia, assisted suicide), those who argue ‘against’ legalisation often reason from a religious angle, whereas those ‘in favour’ adopt a secular stance. The Dutch experience is more nuanced: here, euthanasia advocacy largely originated from protestant religious believers. In this contribution, I criticise the use of religious arguments favouring any specific position. Religion may provide a heuristic context to explore norms relevant in the discussion, and religion may help us formulate our personal stance. But when it comes to societal debates (often focusing on whether or not to legalise euthanasia), we should concentrate on legal, societal, empirical, and ethical arguments that are understandable to all.

Human dignity an ecumenicalunderstanding

Abstract: A history of at least sixty years of ecumenical co-operation in the area of human rights shows continuous attention to the concept of human dignity. However it is not self-evident that this concept furthers ecumenical dialogue as well as dialogue with other religious and philosophical traditions. Connections are shown with the universalism-relativism debate in international law and with different views of the essence of law as such. Finally, the possible specific contribution of Christian theology towards a wider debate on human dignity is explored, and a challenge for Protestant theology is identified.