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Encyclopedias are for living

It's been a busy Fall here in the Netherlands.  We're settled into a great family routine with Maddie in school, Jackie riding all around town with two kids on the bike, and me working on combing through documents for my dissertation research.  I'm now writing my first chapter on Kuyper, focusing on about 1894-1901 - the years leading up to his service as Prime Minister.  I'm tracing Kuyper's theological understanding of discipleship during this time.  This is a new question in Kuyper scholarship, and it's proving to be an interesting and fruitful investigation.  Just this week I've been looking at Kuyper's Encyclopedia of Sacred Theology and have found some helpful connection points between his understanding of the scientific nature of theology and the life of discipleship.  Kuyper may not be using the specific term "discipleship" very often in his writing, but I am finding some very interesting insights.  For example, to me it's telling that he introduces the term "encyclopedia" by tracing its etymology to Greek roots.  He described the Greek use of "encyclopedia" as a way to gather, or encircle, all of the knowledge that was necessary for the training and teaching of the youth to be effective citizens of Athens.  In the same way, a theological encyclopedia encircles the knowledge needed to shape and form citizens in and for the kingdom of God.  So, even "encyclopedic" knowledge about God is not for abstract argumentation - but for practical living and the life of discipleship.  It's time to start dusting off those old encyclopedias (especially the one on Sacred Theology) and figuring out what all of that knowledge means for a life of following after Jesus Christ.

Some good old fashioned research

I've had the opportunity this week to experience some of the joys and benefits of conducting research here in the Netherlands.  One of the goals of my research is to discover the theological foundations of Abraham Kuyper's understanding and practice of discipleship.  As I was combing through the Kuyper Bibliography, I came across a series of collected articles called "Gereformeerde Stemmen uit Vroeger en Later Tijd" - "Reformed Voices from Earlier and Later Time."  It's a series of articles by Kuyper and others that focus on instructing elders and leaders of the church for their work in ministry.  Taken together, the collection serves as a course in basic theological and practical matters for ministry.  It looks like it has the potential to be a key source in my dissertation research.  Of course, more investigation needs to be done - and fortunately, being in Kampen - I can readily take up that task.

You see, unlike much of Kuyper's writings, this book has yet to be digitized for universal access.  In addition, this is a rare book, having been published in 1896, and is held in only two libraries worldwide - at Princeton Seminary, and at the Theological University Kampen.  Now that I have an office in the TUK library, I was easily able to pull the book for further investigation.

I now get to experience the unique historian's task of working through (and translating) an old, fragile book to see what potential discoveries await.  The scene becomes even more picturesque when I take in the fullness of my surroundings - my office sits on the second floor of the TUK library, overlooking the weathered yellow-brick courtyard and additional wing of the library.  The library itself is in an abbey from the 17th century, and the wide wood-plank floors squeak and groan under foot.  Add to that the sounds of the New Tower bells (from 1648) chiming and echoing across this medieval city, and I feel primed to dig in and conduct some good old fashioned historical research.

Arrival in Kampen

Theologische Universiteit Kampen

We're here!  The Netherlands will be our home for the next nine months as I embark on the final season of my doctoral studies.  My family is living in the old Hanseatic city of Kampen, along the banks of the river IJssel.  The cobblestone lanes, intricate brick row houses, and the lovely chiming bell tower all harken back to a slower, quieter life - a perfect environment to settle in for dissertation research and writing.  The Project for Neo-Calvinism at the Theologische Universiteit Kampen invited me as a Guest Researcher and is hosting our stay.  In addition, I am a PhD student at the Vrije Univeriteit in Amsterdam, and will make regular treks to the city for research and meetings.  This trip would not be possible without the generous hospitality of many people both at the TU Kampen and the VU Amsterdam.  It is an honor and privilege to be in the company of such wonderful people in such inspiring places.  It is also exciting to be sharing this experience with another Fuller family.  Clay Cooke is also a Fuller PhD student, and we are both guests here in Kampen and students at the VU.  It's wonderful to hear our kids playing and laughing together in this new place.

As we continue to establish ourselves here (set up residency, navigate the grocery store, figure out cell phones, etc.), the work already begins.  I'm finding my way around the TUK library and scheduling appointments with key faculty mentors.  I'll spend a couple of days at the VU in Amsterdam this week as well, attending the doctoral promotion of a friend and then an accompanying one-day conference on Kuyper.  We're also registering for the language school here in Kampen, and Jackie and I - and maybe Maddie as well - will start Dutch language class next week.

All this change is certainly a bit daunting and overwhelming at times - but we never lose sight of the incredible opportunity that this is.  New people and new places only make life richer.

Gearing up for research in the Netherlands

My dissertation compares Abraham Kuyper and Dietrich Bonhoeffer in an effort to define and apply a historical notion of the common good that is based in public, theological witness.

American research libraries lack the resources necessary for my investigation particularly into Dutch political and theological history.  So, I will be spending the 2013-14 academic year in the Netherlands in order to utilize key research libraries and archives - and this will allow me to conduct the majority of my dissertation research and writing.

While in the Netherlands, I will work closely with several prominent scholars at two Dutch institutions to pursue research on the historical, theological, and ethical relationship between German Lutheranism and Dutch Calvinism.  Dr. George Harinck, my primary advisor in the Netherlands, is director of the Archives and Documentation Centre at the Theologische Universiteit Kampen and is Professor of History at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.  Dr. Harinck is currently editing a pioneering volume on the German Lutheran Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Dutch Calvinist Abraham Kuyper (to which I have contributed a chapter entitled “Distinct Discipleship: Abraham Kuyper, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Christian Engagement in Public Life”). 

At VU Amsterdam, I will also be working with the Bonhoeffer scholar Dr. Gerard Dekker, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, and Dr. Kees van der Kooi, Professor of Western Systematic Theology and Director of the Center for Evangelical and Reformation Theology.  In Kampen, I will be working with the Bonhoeffer scholar and Professor of Dogmatics Dr. Barend Kamphuis and the Dutch Calvinist scholar and post-doctoral fellow Dr. James Eglinton.  

With the guidance and expertise of these scholars, and especially with access to the archives and resources unique to their institutions, my ability to contribute further to the emerging field of German Lutheran and Dutch Calvinist dialogue will be enhanced considerably.

Neo-Calvinist Consultation

Fuller hosted the first "Neo-Calvinist Consultation" with Dr Richard Mouw July 25-27, 2013.  Dr Mouw retired from the Fuller presidency on June 30, after 20 years at the helm.  After a sabbatical year, he will take on a new role at Fuller as a faculty member and head of the new Fuller Institute for Faith and Public Life.  Dr Mouw has had a legacy at Fuller for fostering an atmosphere of civil dialogue and engagement with the broader issues of faith, politics, and society.  Much of his conviction for robust civility comes from his philosophical and theological work in the historical Dutch Neo-Calvinist tradition of Abraham Kuyper.  This "consultation" was an opportunity for about twenty Neo-Calvinist doctoral students, scholars, and practitioners from across the U.S. and as far away as China to gather together and share ideas about the future of the Neo-Calvinist movement.  I was both excited and honored to have a seat at the table.

This wasn't a typical academic conference, in the sense that we didn't sit around all day listening to 45-minute papers being read.  Instead, we were each tasked with submitting a one-page paper outlining our current research or practice questions.  In turn, we were each assigned a paper or two to prepare a short response in order to open up a dialogue around the table.  The result was that each paper or set of questions received 45 minutes of focused and intense conversation, with input from an impressive variety of scholars and practitioners.  I received some helpful feedback on my dissertation ideas, and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to respond to others both formally and in the course of our fascinating conversations.

The Neo-Calvinist tradition is infusing some of the most creative and dynamic scholarship and ministry around the country and globe.  This is a small but important subset of philosophical and theological ethics, and it is worth further exploration and application.  There are so many tools available in this tradition for focused and intellectually strong engagement with the pressing issues of contemporary society.  Over these few short days, I was reminded of the strength, diversity, integrity, and passion of God's workers in the world today - from The Center for Faith at Work at Redeemer Church in New York City to The Center for Public Justice in Washington, D.C. to the Chesterton House at Cornell to Guandong Union Theological Seminary in China to Calvin College in Grand Rapids to The Institute for Northwest Theology and Culture at Fuller NW and back to Dr Mouw's new Institute for Faith and Public Life in Pasadena - God is certainly at work.

Dissertation proposal approved!

My dissertation research is now off and running!  About two weeks ago my dissertation proposal was approved by my faculty mentors at Fuller, and just two days ago the theology faculty at the VU Amsterdam accepted my proposal as well.  This means I am all set to start my research and writing.  No major adjustments have been made to my proposal (see my blog post from May 20).  My plan is primarily to focus on research until about October - and then I will start writing.  The acceptance of my proposal by the VU also officially makes me a doctoral candidate there as well.  So, I am now in active pursuit of PhD degrees from Fuller and from the VU!  We are making final preparations for our move to the Netherlands in September, and are very excited for this next season of life.