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 13^th and 14^th centuries (Bonaventure, Thomas Aquinas, John Duns Scotus) and its influence on later theology. For research on the 16^th and 17^th centuries (Protestant orthodoxy and scholasticism), there is collaboration with the Research group Classic Reformed Theology. The theology of Jonathan Edwards (18^th 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 19^th and 20^th 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
Dr. 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	Christology and the Application of Redemption in the Theoretico-Practica Theologia of Petrus van Mastricht (Joint PhD Project with TU Kampen | Utrecht)
Ralph Elliott	The Historical-Theological Development and Analysis of Jonathan Edwards’s Doctrine of Justification and Union with Christ (tentative)
Song Kim	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	Fr. Sergius Bulgakov’s and Vladimir N. Lossky’s Theological Methods: A Comparative Analysis
Anne-Catherine Pardon	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	The Christology of Gisbertus Voetius (1589-1676)
Rostislav Tkachenko	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)

Research Activities

• Evadoc