Call for Papers – Deadline Extended to 1 March 2026. International Conference in Utrecht, NL, 11–13 November 2026
In November 2026, 350 years will have passed since the death of the Dutch Reformed minister, theology professor, and rector of Utrecht University, Gisbertus Voetius (1589-1676). We invite scholars of early modern theology, history, and philosophy, to participate in a conference in commemoration of his life and work. This conference will be held in Utrecht from 11-14 November, 2026. A towering figure in the seventeenth-century Dutch Republic, the “célèbre théologien d’Utrecht” (Leibniz), also disparaged as Papa Ultrajectinus, left a significant imprint upon church, academy, and society, one that has been studied far less widely and deeply than might be expected with a person of his stature. This conference aims to add nuance and complexity to a major authority whose legacy has often been taken at face value.
This conference intends to bring together new perspectives on Voetius’s life, work, context, and legacy. We invite contributions in the following (and related) areas:
Teachings:
– theology (both scholastic and practical) and its trans-confessional interactions
– philosophy, including the polemics with the New Philosophies of Descartes and others
– biblical philology and scriptural authority, connected to new perspectives of Coccejus and others
Networks:
– personal relations with relatives, friends, colleagues and students
– academic and intellectual networks, domestically and internationally
– political and ecclesiastical networks at different levels of state and church
Legacies:
– the history of knowledge and the rise of natural science
– the history of Christianity (including Calvinism and Neo-Calvinism)
– the history of Dutch culture, religion and society in the Netherlands and beyond
To support the use of new methods, we are looking into the possibility to facilitate digital research of Voetius’ main works.
Please submit a title and 200-word abstract together with a brief biographical note as one Word-file before 1 March 2026. Queries and abstracts can be sent to agoudriaan@pthu.nl
Organizers:
– Andreas J. Beck (ETF Leuven);
– Aza Goudriaan (PThU Utrecht);
– Fred van Lieburg (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) / PThU);
– Dirk van Miert (Utrecht University – Faculty of Humanities / Huygens Institute for History and Culture of the Netherlands (KNAW – Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen)).
Time schedule:
Wednesday 11 November 2026: Opening Event (Dutch) in Sint Catharinakathedraal Utrecht, NL
Thursday 12 & Friday 13 November 2026: Academic Conference (English) in Utrecht, NL
Saturday 14 November 2026: Interactive Festival (Dutch) in Janskerk Utrecht, NL
