The Future of Theology as an Academic Discipline

This project explores in various ways what the future of theology as an academic discipline in contemporary multi-religious society may look like. It is carried out in collaboration with a couple of PhD's and other researchers both from within and without the VU Faculty of Religion and Theology. The issue is addressed using empirical methods (fieldwork in various universities that have a theology and/or religious studies faculty or department), conceptual analysis, and historical research. Other subprojects practice what they preach by elaborating how theology can show its academic credibility and vitality by bringing it to bear on contemporary issues (such as the crisis in meaning-making).

One of the first fruits of the project (following up on a previous on) is a volume with collected essays on the question whether there is "Progress in Theology"; this volume will be published by Routledge in 2025.