Historical Theology
Department chair: Prof. Dr. Andreas J. Beck
Studies in Historical Theology
In its research the department of Historical Theology pays particular attention to two recent developments: the growing appreciation of patristics in the Evangelical movement and the recent re-evaluation of medieval and Protestant scholasticism. In turn, these two emphases contribute to a better understanding of the Reformation and its relationship to the modern era.
Two research institutes are linked to the department, both established in 2008 to stimulate local and international research. The Research Centre for Early Christianity (RCEC) was established in cooperation with the New Testament department and focuses mainly on research into pre-Chalcedonian Christianity (before 451 A.D.). The Institute of Post-Reformation Studies (IPRS) conducts research into the early modern era, the focus being on post-Reformation studies. Special attention is paid to medieval scholasticism of the 13th and 14th centuries (Bonaventure, Thomas Aquinas, John Duns Scotus) and its influence on later theology. For research on the 16th and 17th centuries (Protestant orthodoxy and scholasticism), there is collaboration with the Research group Classic Reformed Theology. The theology of Jonathan Edwards (18th century) is studied in collaboration with the Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University.
The department also has a tradition of research into the history of the Evangelical movement and Protestant Churches in Flanders and the Netherlands in the 19th and 20th centuries. For this, collaboration has been developed with Evadoc.
Independent Academic Personnel
| Prof. Dr. Andreas J. Beck | Late Medieval and Early Modern Theology and Philosophy |
| Dr. Dolf te Velde | Early Modern Period |
| Dr. Maria Verhoeff | Patristic Soteriology, John Chrysostom |
Special Academic Personnel
| Dr. Michaël Bauwens | Late Medieval and Early Modern Philosophy |
| Dr. Hélène Evers | Canon Law |
| Prof. Dr. Donald M. Fairbairn | Greek Patristic Christology and Soteriology, Semi-Pelagian Controversy |
| Dr. Philip Fisk | Jonathan Edwards, Reformed Scholasticism, Early Modern Thought |
| Prof. Dr. Aza Goudriaan | Early Modern Theology and Philosophy, Reception History of Patristic Thought |
| Dr. Johannes Knecht | Medieval Theology |
| Dr. Viacheslav Lytvynenko | Greek Patristics, Digital Editing of Medieval Manuscripts |
| Matthias Mangold | Early Modern Reformed Theology and Philosophy, esp. Salomon van Til |
| Dr. Aaldert Prins | Belgian Protestantism, Mission History |
| Dr. Robert Sturdy | Early Modern Reformed Theology, esp. Samuel Rutherford |
| Dr. Stephen Tipton | Early Modern Reformed Theology, esp. Amandus Polanus |
| Dr. Nathan Witkamp | Syrian Patristics; Baptismal Rites, Asceticism, Theodorus of Mopsuestia, Narsai of Nisibis |
External Instructors
| Dr. Rob Nijhoff |
| Drs. Laas Terpstra (PhD candidate |
Doctoral Students (with or without AAP/SAP-status)
| Ben Adamo, M.A. | Christology and the Application of Redemption in the Theoretico-Practica Theologia of Petrus van Mastricht (Joint PhD Project with TU Kampen | Utrecht) |
| Ralph Elliott, M.Th. | The Historical-Theological Development and Analysis of Jonathan Edwards’s Doctrine of Justification and Union with Christ (tentative) |
| Song Kim, M.A. | Jonathan Edwards’s Theology of Spirituality in His Theological Exposition and Application of the Song of Songs (Leave of Absence in 2022-2023) |
| Eduard Sablon Leiva, M.A. | Fr. Sergius Bulgakov’s and Vladimir N. Lossky’s Theological Methods: A Comparative Analysis |
| Anne-Catherine Pardon, M.A. | Gerhard Kittel, Theologian of the Third Reich? An Evaluation of His Ideology through Critical Discourse Analysis (FWO PhD Fellowship; Joint PhD Project with VU Brussels) |
| Hendra Thamrindinata, M.A. | The Christology of Gisbertus Voetius (1589-1676) |
| Rostislav Tkachenko, M.A. | God’s Interior Mystery: God’s Knowledge and God’s Will according to Bonaventure and Thomas Aquinas, especially as Presented in Their Scripta (Leave of Absence in 2022-2023) |
Research institutes and groups
- Research Center for Early Christianity (RCEC)
- Institute of Post-Reformation Studies (IPRS)
- Research Group John Duns Scotus
- Research Group on Classic Reformed Theology (OGTh)
- Jonathan Edwards Center Benelux (JECB)
