Institute of Post-Reformation Studies

The Institute of Post-Reformation Studies (IPRS) seeks to stimulate academic studies of the Early Modern Period following the first stages of the Reformation (±1550 up to ±1800), thereby helping ETF to fulfill its mission to deepen and strengthen the international Evangelical movement.

Post-Reformation studies are especially relevant for this mission since in the designated period classical theological lines of thought encountered the Enlightenment. Whereas the Enlightenment has been the subject of much research, the study of Protestant Orthodoxy has generally been neglected. This is partly due to the fact that in its academic discourse, the early modern university still followed the scholastic method as developed since the foundation of the university in the Middle Ages (±1200). This discourse, which was international and interconfessional, followed the lines of the Augustinian-Franciscan tradition and the Reformation in its discussion with the Enlightenment. Post-Reformation studies are indispensable for understanding the particular historical roots of the international Evangelical movement.

The Institute emphasizes research (Master projects, PhD projects, publications) without neglecting research-based teaching on the Master’s level (the courses “History of Christian Doctrine”; “Medieval and Post-Reformation Scholasticism”) and services to a broader academic public (e.g. conferences).

Fields of Research

Movements

  • Protestant Orthodoxy (seen against its historical background in the Patristic Period, Middle Ages, and Reformation)
  • English and American Puritanism, Dutch Further Reformation, German Pietism
  • Revival movements such as Wesleyanism and the First Great Awakening (Jonathan Edwards)
  • (Roots of) the Evangelical Movement

Research questions (broad examples)

  • Continuity and discontinuity between Protestant Orthodoxy and its background in the theology of the Patristic Period, Middle Ages and Reformation (the ‘catholicity’ of Protestant Orthodoxy)
  • The complex relationship between Protestant Orthodoxy and the Catholic (Counter-) Reformation (unity and diversity)
  • The complex relationship between classical theological lines of thoughts with the Enlightenment (unity of faith and thinking versus autonomy of thinking)
  • The complex relationship between tradition and renewal
  • Developments within the Evangelical Movement

Senior Researchers

Prof. Dr. Andreas J. Beck (Director) Late Medieval and Early Modern Theology and Philosophy; Jonathan Edwards (cf. Jonathan Edwards Center Benelux)
Dr. Michaël Bauwens Late Medieval and Early Modern Philosophy
Dr. Philip Fisk Reformed Scholasticism, Early Modern Thought, Jonathan Edwards (cf. Jonathan Edwards Center Benelux)
Prof. Dr. Aza Goudriaan Patristic and Medieval Backgrounds; Early Modern Theology and Philosophy
Dr. Matthias Mangold Early Modern Reformed Theology and Philosophy, esp. Salomon van Til
Dr. Robert Sturdy Early Modern Reformed Theology, esp. Samuel Rutherford
Dr. Stephen Tipton Early Modern Reformed Theology, esp. Amandus Polanus

Junior Researchers (PhD Students)

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 (cf. Jonathan Edwards Center Benelux) (tentative)
Matthew Johnston The Suffering of Christ’s Soul in Seventeenth Century Roman Catholic and Reformed Theology
Min Kang Johannes a Lasco and the Dutch Refugee Congregations in Emden and London
Song Kim Jonathan Edwards’s Spirituality in his Perspective on Communion with Christ (cf. Jonathan Edwards Center Benelux) (Leave of Absence in 2023-2024)
Johan Lorein Johannes Duns Scotus and Voluntarism
Todd Malone Jonathan Edwards’s View of Conscience
Hendra Thamrindinata The Christology of Gisbertus Voetius (1589-1676) (Joint PhD Project with TU Utrecht)
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 2023-2024)
Wim van den Dool Anselmus’ Doctrine of Reconciliation in the Second Part of Cur Deus Homo. (PhD project at Tilburg University; promoters: Paul J.J. van Geest, Tilburg University); Andreas J. Beck, ETF Leuven)
Christian Westerink The Concept of Divine Ideas in Protestant Orthodoxy (Joint PhD Project with PThU)
Peter Wijnberger The Distinction of Archetypal and Ectypal Theology and its Impact on Theology: Franciscus Junius (1545-1602), Petrus van Mastricht (1630-1706), and Bernhardinus de Moor (1709-1780) (Joint PhD Project with PThU)

Significant Publications (Books)

In memoriam – Prof. Dr. Willem van Asselt (1946-2014).

Professors Vleugels and Koorevaar Give Farewell Lectures

Professors Vleugels and Koorevaar...

Both biblical scholars with long track records at ETF Leuven will hold their farewell lectures during the annual doctoral week.

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Resisting the Divide - A Theological Contribution to Economic and Social Policy

Resisting the Divide - A Theological...

A Theological Contribution to Economic and Social Policy

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