How is the Bible used, interpreted, and experienced in contemporary Dutch prison contexts? This interdisciplinary symposium brings together chaplains, biblical scholars, and stakeholders from across society to explore the role of biblical texts in prison chaplaincy and their intersections with academic research.
Programme
Opening and Context (13:00-13:30)
Chair: Silvia Castelli
13:00-13:10 Silvia Castelli (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) Welcome and introduction: Key questions from the project Biblical Studies and Spiritual Care: Intersections of Pastoral Praxis and Biblical Hermeneutics
13:10-13:30 Ryan van Eijk & Anne van Voorst (Tilburg University and Dienst Geestelijke Verzorging, DJI) Insights from the volume Geestelijke verzorging bij justitie: Context, uitgangspunten en praktijk van het justitiepastoraat (Utrecht: Eburon, 2026).
Current Use of the Bible in Dutch Contexts of Incarceration: Christian and Jewish Perspectives (13:30-16:00) Chair: Peter-Ben Smit
13:30-13:45 Ryan van Eijk & Fons Flierman (Tilburg University and Dienst Geestelijke Verzorging, DJI) The Bible and the Positioning of Prison Chaplaincy
13:45-14:00 Ranfar Kouwijzer (Dienst Geestelijke Verzorging, DJI) In de stilte van mijn cel. Gevangenen werken met psalmen.
14:00-14:15 Ben Van Veen (Dienst Geestelijke Verzorging, DJI) Detextification: The Biblical Text as Performance in a Prison Context
14:15-14:30 Michael Bakker (Radboud University) The Psalter and ‘arrow prayers’ derived from it in Orthodox (prison) chaplaincy
14:30-14:50 Coffee Break
14:50-15:05 Corrie Zeidler (Dienst Geestelijke Verzorging, DJI) Inspiration, spiritual growth and guidance from the Bible - how to use texts from the Tenach in prison chaplaincy
15:05-15:20 Paul Doth (Bijbelgenootschap) The Dutch Bible Society and the Bajesagenda (title tba)
15:20-15:50 Open Discussion
15:50-16:00 Break
Biblical Scholarship and the Context of Incarceration: Contributions, Reflections, and Prospects (16:00-17:00) Chair: Silvia Castelli
16:00-16:10 Eveline van Staalduine-Sulman & Johan Roeland (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) Lying Awake in the Night: Old Testament Poets on Their Experiences in the Dark
16:10-16:20 Vincent Wenno & Peter-Ben Smit (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) Paul’s Imprisonment and Relational Agency in the Letter to Philemon in the Context of Spiritual Care
16:20-16:30 Silvia Castelli (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) Biblical Studies and Spiritual Care in a Context of Incarceration: Concluding Remarks and Next Steps.
16:30-17:00 Open Discussion
For whom
Chaplains, biblical scholars, students of religion and theology, students of spiritual care, anyone with an interest in the topic.
Register
Participation is free of charge. To register, please email s.castelli2@vu.nl.