Theology and Religious Studies: Exploring a Discipline

The master’s specialization in Bible Translation brings together theory and practice relevant for translating the Bible. In the Working Sessions students learn to analyze translations and to practise translation themselves. The programme furthermore consists of specialization courses of choice that support critical study of the Hebrew and Greek biblical texts from a variety of methods and perspectives, such as linguistic, historical and exegetical study, digital analysis, and reception history. In addition, it is optional to combine this with a specialization in contextual biblical interpretation to enhance self-awareness in the process of Bible interpretation and translation. The aim of this master’s specialization is to gain experience in Bible translation, to be trained in Biblical exegesis (from a linguistic or from a historical angle), and to become aware of the contextual and hermeneutical processes involved in interpretation and translation.

Questions? Please contact Prof. dr. Matthijs J. de Jong, m.j.de.jong@vu.nl

The master’s specialisation in Biblical Studies and Digital Humanities combines the versatile tools of computational analysis with critical study of the Hebrew and Greek biblical texts. Research into complex linguistic or hermeneutical issues often requires more powerful tools and more data than traditional methods offer. Tagged databases, language processing tools, and statistical analyses enable researchers to gather, test, and present that data. Students may also apply these to Targums, Dead Sea Scrolls, or Septuagint studies. The programme additionally entails the language, history, transmission, and reception of the biblical texts themselves.

The twenty-seven writings known as the New Testament were all written in the first or early second century. They became authoritative Scripture in a process that resulted in the first mention of this list in the year 367. Bisshop Athanasius of Alexandria lists these particular writings as authoritative, and does so in his 39^th Easter Letter. This research group studies the writings of the New Testament in their historical, cultural, and religious contexts and focuses on the ways in which these and other writings functioned within the formation of Christianity as a world religion. How did Christianity-in-the-making relate to Judaism-in-the-making? How did it relate to its pagan contexts? We study the New Testament from a variety of perspectives, with historical, but also hermeneutical and contemporary questions in mind. From textual criticism to reception history, from theological exegesis to philology, we practice it all.

Questions? Please contact Prof. dr. Bert Jan Lietaert Peerbolte, l.j.lietaert.peerbolte@vu.nl.

Contextual Biblical Interpretation (CBI) researches how the Bible is being interpreted worldwide and throughout history and it creates innovative interpretations of the same. What effect do interpretations have? Why and how is the Bible relevant to people? Which valuable perspectives are overlooked? Each context leads to new interpretations of the Bible. Interpretations that contribute to the good life are a particular focus. In this way, CBI connects with the Sustainable Development Goals and VU Amsterdam's vision of ‘science for society.’ Studying CBI means to study both text and reader and to research both the interpretation of the Bible and its effect on its readers.

The scope of CBI is wide and offers plenty of opportunities to develop your own focus. Recent contexts of biblical interpretation explored by students and staff include:

• Ecology and the climate crisis
• (Religious) education; the world of children and youth
• Missionary initiatives
• Gender (feminist, masculist, queer, etc.)
• Dis/ability (the Deaf community, people with mental dis/abilities)
• Spiritual care (hospitals, psychiatric care, etc.)
• Migrant/international churches
• Black lives matter/the context of racism
• Church traditions, such as Mennonites, Baptists, Reformed, Catholics, etc.

Many of these topics have been and can be explored with one eye on contemporary contexts and another on historical ones. The combination of both is often innovative: does the contemporary ecological crisis offer new perspectives on Paul’s notion of creation? Can the imaginative interpretation of the Bible by children aid in asking new questions about the Psalms? Do queer perspectives question our historical categories for interpreting the Gospels? And so on. Taking contextuality seriously is a catalyst for innovative, fresh interpretations and new forms of insight into the texts themselves.

The Centre of Contextual Biblical Interpretation offers research internships and its wide network of partners in society provides opportunities for other kinds of internship. The research colloquium of the Centre is open to MA students specializing in CBI.

If you are a student enthusiastic about your Christian faith, the church and Gods mission, and are looking for ways to serve in an evangelical Protestant church or organisation, this master’s programme is for you!

The programme is designed for students who have an affinity with an evangelical spirituality, and/or more specifically have an affinity with the baptistic tradition (although the latter is by no means a requirement). Throughout the modules, a continuous interaction is sought between the study of faith practices, the deepening of theological knowledge and the personal and professional formation of the student. It is coordinated by the Dutch Baptist Seminary and linked to the James Wm. McClendon Chair for Baptistic and Evangelical Theologies at VU Amsterdam.

During the programme – one year (fulltime) or two years (part-time) – Dutch-speaking students take part in the learning community of the Baptist Seminary, which involves sharing your life with peers, weekly times of prayer and three days annually set apart for exploring ‘doing theology’ around an actual topic. For international (English speaking) students, there are possibilities to become involved in the learning network of the International Baptist Theological Seminary (IBTS).

Click here for more information about Evangelical & Baptistic Leadership.

This track equips the student with sufficient knowledge and tools to explore important academic and societally relevant issues at the intersection of philosophy and religion, such as various challenges in contemporary hermeneutics, philosophy of religion, apologetics, and analytic theology. By the end of this year, the student will have an MA in theology and has the opportunity to continue his or her studies in the second year of a Research Master in Theology or a Research Master in Philosophy.

With deep roots and a broad geographic presence, Reformed and Evangelical theologies form a robust and vibrant tradition within global Christianity. Confronted with the complexities and intrigues of modern life, this track sets out to explore this rich tradition in the challenges it faces, as well as the opportunities, for theological contemplation, it offers.

This track explores the history of the Reformed and Evangelical tradition within Christianity, and teaches students to reason theologically (as Reformed/Evangelical theologians). Contemporary issues that are hotly debated within Evangelicalism – like evolutionary theory – are discussed. The same goes for theological questions raised by practices and spiritualities within faith communities; topics like providence and God’s presence are related to divine guidance in believer’s lives and the gifts of the Spirit in charismatic circles.

Are you looking to deepen (critical) insight in your own tradition? Think through complex theological queries? Or, explore a way of doing theology that is characteristic for a growing and global branch of Christianity? Then this is the track for you!