Wonderful, you have reached the web page of The School of Theology. The place where we do God-talk, which is a popular translation of the word theology. Together with a very diverse group of students and lecturers from different ethnographic backgrounds and denominations, we try to learn more about God, the Bible, religion, humanity, and many more interesting topics. 

At the School of Theology, we not only study theology but also discuss or write papers and take exams! No, we do theology since we live what we learn!"

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We practice theology in a special area within Amsterdam. It is called ‘The Bijlmer,’ and it can best be described as a melting pot of cultures. We are situated in the cultural Education Center (CEC) with several other organizations in a vibrant neighborhood. When I travel to work by train and subway, I tend to step out two stops early to walk through the area en enjoy the people, the vibrant conversations, and the elderly from Africa or Latin America on a bench at the small square around the corner who are enjoying some delicious food of Turkish restaurant next to our building or watching the long row of waiting people of the Surinam take - away restaurant just below us. These walks fill me with gratitude for God’s wonderful, diverse and colorful creation. Thus, I arrive at work with a smile on my face and a bursting heart with a passion for God and humanity. 

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In the Bijlmer, religion is everywhere and takes different forms in the diversity of cultures from people of more than 130 nationalities. And it is in this environment and coming from the shared experiences of myself and my colleagues from different backgrounds that we do theology. We not only study, we not only discuss or write papers or take exams. No, we do theology since we live what we learn!

 

In our School of Theology, there are 3 main programs with their specific levels and programs: 

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1. The first program is for practical ministry, which is called: Theology in the Bijlmer and Beyond. This program is focused on pastors and church leaders nearby and far away to follow practical courses about the Bible, ministry in the church, leadership, and missions. The program is composed of a certificate component which is developed together with the Jethro Foundation, and a one-year diploma program. 

2. Secondly, we have our Academic Program focusing on students who would like to study theology at an undergraduate level.

3. And thirdly, our Advanced Academic Program is developed in close relationships with universities in the Netherlands and leads to either a Certificate of Theology as a stepping stone into a Master of Theology at a university or an Advanced Academic Diploma of Theology which is at the master’s level. 

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All programs are available online, depending on the number of students. The programs can also be followed in class-based or hybrid forms. Looking forward to welcoming you to one of our programs at the School of Theology

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Laura Dijkhuizen

Academic Dean

Senior Lecturer in Theology