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 mechanism of redemption and the nature of Christ

Abstract: Although redemption is a central Christian confessional statement, the mechanism of redemption gets little attention in the New Testament as well as in the early creeds. The hot debate of early Christianity was the debate on the nature of Christ. In this article it is argued, however, that there is a strong correlation between the mechanism of redemption and the nature of Christ. This is demonstrated by making use of the conception of "Christus Victor" as put to the fore by Gustav Aulen in his 1930 book. With this conception in mind Irenaeus of Lyon's The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching and the hymn in Philippians are subsequently examined on this correlation. In this way it is explained how in early orthodoxy the confession that Jesus Christ is true God was at the same time a confession on the question of redemption.

Christians and the Transcendence of the Good

Abstract: In his paper, Nigel Biggar argues for moral realism on the basis of the Christian conviction of the unity of God and the consistency of the world the one God created. Therefore, in spite of moral pluralism in the world, it is likely to find shared ground between different ages and cultures. In this paper, the author argues for another approach to the presence of the good in the world. On the basis of Augustine’s view of the Trinity, he argues that the transcendence and immanence of the Good should rather be understood in terms of the creative yet incomprehensible presence of God in the world. From there, he develops an anthropology in which human beings find their happiness in being directed to God as the highest Good, loosing this happiness through being directed towards themselves. Thus, true happiness and goodness depends on grace for fallen human beings. This opens up an account of moral pluralism which leaves space to genuine moral disagreements even apart from sin, as we always have our own partial perspective on God as the Good, but also a common sensitivity to the Good through grace and thus common ground for moral reflection.

Ecclesiology

Abstract: This chapter focuses on the study of the formal church, that is, ecclesiology. This ecclesiological tribalism is mirrored on ecclesiology referring to the wide range of confessional traditions. Webster derived ecclesiology as the doctrine of the church from the doctrine of God. The heuristic goal provides norms for evaluating the life of the church, because systematic ecclesiology must be not only empirical and critical, but also normative and evaluative. Modern ecclesiology presents perfect “blueprint” models of the church which do not acknowledge the realities of the church. The chapter reviews on the liberation theology and on gender and ecclesiology before outlining the agenda for the ecclesiology and ethnography conversation that follows from the review of systematic ecclesiologies. Liberation ecclesiology is “a positive antidote to any world-renouncing ecclesiologies, particularly those that shun dialogue with the social sciences”.

Who Cares? Exploring Pastoral Care in Dutch Protestant Parishes Using the Church Life Survey (CLS)

Abstract: Pastoral care in parishes is a rather “silent” religious practice. As a result, data regarding the quantity and quality of regular pastoral care in local churches is scarce. To address this deficiency, we added several questions about pastoral care and support to the Church Life Survey and then carried out the survey with church attenders (N = 2,854) from 30 Dutch Protestant parishes. The results show that church attenders mostly receive pastoral care from their minister or professional pastoral worker. Church attenders also frequently advise others in their community to ask for pastoral support. They feel that their congregations should not only pay attention to particularly joyful or painful circumstances but should also direct more pastoral attention towards a general interest in people’s lives. By and large, respondents acknowledged that pastoral support is done in a competent and safe atmosphere. This study reveals a wide range of quantitative and qualitative insights into the frequency and quality of pastoral care as a religious practice, a practice that is not often discussed but which is of great importance to church attenders and is now a practice that is being given a voice through data.

Kun je overbehandeling zien aankomen

Abstract: Overbehandeling staat in Nederland prominent op de agenda. Er moet een einde komen aan behandelingen die niet op hun plaats zijn. Maar hoe doe je dat, ‘overbehandelen’ vermijden? Vaak kun je toch pas achteraf zeggen of iets overbehandeling is? In dit artikel gaan we op zoek naar signalen vooraf die erop wijzen dat een behandeling bij een kwetsbare oudere maar beter nagelaten kan worden.