NTT Journal for Theology and the Study of Religion - Volume 62, Issue 4, 2008

Being a necessary element of group formation, conflicts between competing positions stand at the cradle of Christianity. Identities take form through pointing out differences and defending them. But group conflicts need to be limited and balanced out in order to keep their creative impetus and not turn destructive. Inspired by Kees Schuyt’s 2007 Cleveringa Lecture, the article discusses how Paul tried to regulate gro Read More

Although the social sciences have gained their place in the theological faculties, a sociological approach of New Testament problems is not yet granted. This especially concerns the separation of Christianity from Judaism. The popular model of ‘the parting of the ways’ suggests a separation of friends because of differing views. Rather, referring to a sociological study about the correlation between social polarisation and viole Read More

This article explores the conflict potential in the relation between Sunnis and Alevis in Turkey. Using the theoretical framework that Schuyt proposes to analyze conflicts, the author argues that the risk of a violent confrontation between the two groups is relatively low. This argument is based, among other, on the complexity of the individual and collective identities of the members of both groups. There is, however, a risk that Read More

Violence is a critical problem for the future of human societies. Following the work of René Girard, it is clear that it emerges in the context of human relationship and desires escalating beyond a point of control. Escalating rivalries produce all of the rivalries described in Kees Schuyt’s important article. At the same time, these phenomena are symptoms of a deeper reality. Peace cannot be bought by simply re-arrangin Read More

This article reviews Heresieën en orthodoxie in het publieke debat over arbeid. Een kwalitatief onderzoek van christelijke publicaties over arbeid in Nederland in de periode 1970 tot en met 2000  , , , , ; + pp., € 36, ISBN 9042302798.