Prof of Public Theology, @VUAmsterdam writer, runner, friend, VLOG https://teapaw.org/t.co/9bnItbayzy PHD Sys Theol ('06) & PHD New Testament ('17) Views my own.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Joined March 2007
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Thanks for following! Please drop me a note if you have the time - I’d love to hear from you! Please check here for copies of all of my books: amzn.to/3oyhIOc
New article published!
“A refugee among refugees?” my first sustained engagement with Calvin. It asks what Geneva’s refugee history might teach us about reconciliation, hospitality and power today. I learned a great deal writing it:
doi.org/10.4102/HTS.v82i1.11…
Yesterday I began my course at Amsterdam University College, focusing on Religion, Trauma and Violence.
We seek to understand how religion is both a source of life and meaning, but also how it can be twisted for violent and abusive ends.
Grateful to do this with Srdjan Sremac
A blessed Reformation Day! I give thanks for the Church in all of its forms. I am grateful for this community of imperfect people that nurtures faith, offers care, works for justice. May we be more like Jesus, the one who lives for others, and in being so, find our true selves.
It was a truly amazing week with friends, colleagues, and family hosting the Global Network for Public Theology
My professorial inaugural lecture is now online, and I am so grateful!
See: youtu.be/ieMcJCIuqZw?is=XX0v…
#PublicTheology #theologicalethics #GNPTAmsterdam2026 #Sawubona
What a treat! We had a chance to meet the Springbok Rugby Captain, Siyo Kolisi, at Netherlands Rugby this evening! Such a great guy! @siyakolisi @liam_forster7 @digitalmegan
I woke up with such gratitude for the dear colleagues, students, and stakeholders at the @VUamsterdam
Today I will deliver my inaugural lecture at 15h45 CEST. The streaming (and ‘in person’) details are here:
vu.nl/nl/agenda/2026/oratie-…
I am very grateful!
This coming Wednesday my dear colleague and friend, Rev Helgard Pretorius, will defend his brilliant PhD.
It is a joint degree between @vuamsterdam and @stellenboschuni
Join us, see details here:
vu.nl/nl/agenda/2026/promoti…
@robert_vosloo1 @helgardpretorius
This is going to be amazing! I was fortunate to read an early copy of prof Vosloo's new book. It shaped my understanding of identity in such important ways. I think this will be one of the most important books in this field. A must read! See the details for the book launch.
‘To be kind in a violent world is very dangerous, but fortunately you will discover you were destined to be kind... Our gentle God created our kind to be kind by making it impossible for us to exist without caring for those both like and unlike us.’
- Stanley Hauerwas
In exactly one week’s time we kick off the Global Network for Public Theology conference at @vuamsterdam hosted by @vu_srt
We can’t wait to welcome the 120 or so participants!
Read more here: gnpublictheology.net/amsterd… #PublicTheology #GNPTAmsterdam2026
In less than 2 weeks about 120 friends and colleagues from around the world arrive at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam for the the Global Network for Public Theology! I collected the ‘Stroopwafels’ for their conference bags!
See the program here: gnpublictheology.net/amsterd…
Our new book is out! 📚
Faith in Public: Theological-Political Dialogues between Brazil and South Africa, co-edited with my dear friend Rudolf von Sinner, grows 20 years of friendship and conversation.
Grateful to all our wonderful contributors! 🙌🙏
doi.org/10.52779/97819915380…
Morgen preek ik in Baptistengemeente De Rank in Utrecht. We beginnen aan een serie over de profeet Micha met als thema: ‘Zwaarden, ploegscharen en de weg die wij kiezen.’ Ben je in de buurt? Van harte welkom om mee te vieren!
derank.org
I am grateful to give an input at the 40th anniversary conference of the Confession of Belhar. It takes place at the PThU in partnership with colleagues from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and TUU.
You can read more about the conference here: pthu.nl/actueel/agenda/2026/…
My latest article, “Sawubona: The witness of the Church in a time of misrecognition,” is out in Kerk en Theologie. On migration, dignity & the Church’s calling to truly “see” the stranger.
research.vu.nl/en/publicatio…
#PublicTheology #Sawubona #Recognition #Migration #Theology
Please see dionforster.com/sawubona
‘Sawubona: (Mis)Recognition and the Task of Public Theology’
The lecture is scheduled to take place on:
🕰️ Friday, 23 October 2026, at 15.45 CET
📍 The Aula of the University’s Main Building
🤝 The lecture will be followed by a reception
The program for the next meeting of the Global Public Theology Network is now available online.
Check it out:
gnpublictheology.net/amsterd…
I am so looking forward to sharing this time with friends and colleagues from around the world!
Today is the feast day of St Augustine of Hippo. Let us leave a little room for reflection and silence.
Today this legend, Liam, starts his first day of University! Bachelor of Economic and Management Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam! We are so grateful! Many blessings and much success Liam! Mom, Courtney and I are rooting for you! We are very proud of you!
