With his Peace on earth (Vrede op aarde) Stefan Paas wins the title of Theological book of 2024.
The jury chose the winner from a shortlist of five and announced it during the Night of Theology on Thursday 14 November.
Stefan Paas is Professor of Missiology and Intercultural Theology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Professor of Missiology at the Theological University of Kampen. In Peace on Earth, he examines how the Christian message of salvation is relevant to today's society.
"Christian faith tells a story about God having good plans for us and for creation. It is a story full of hope, comfort, forgiveness and joy. How can this story be told in a post-Christian society in such a way that it touches people? How can Christians themselves become enthusiastic about this story again?" Paas gives his answers based on concrete experiences and examples.
Another book on the shortlist for Best Theological Book is De hemel te rijk by Pieter Dirk Dekker. Like Paas, Dekker also works at the VU Faculty of Religion and Theology.
Polarisation and connection
The fourteenth edition of the Night of Theology had the theme 'Polarisation and connection'. The main speaker was VU-professor Rik Peels. As a philosopher of religion, he researches radicalisation and argues for more input from philosophy and theology.