Is the die cast? On the precarious present and future of Dutch (Catholic) theology

Abstract

The fundamental argument of this article is that the relationship between theology and religious studies plays a key role in shaping its future. This will be outlined on the example of Catholic theology in the Netherlands, a country with a largely unchurched society. First, the article provides some context by presenting current, extremely precarious institutional conditions at universities and their history. Religious studies and theology have always been closely linked in the Netherlands. Today, however, the two disciplines are almost completely separate on an institutional level. Yet, paradoxically, there is little reason to maintain this separation as the study of the broad field of religion in late modernity requires a constant change in perspective. This article discusses theoretical and strategic implications of these changes in perspective. In the end, a collaboration between theology and religious studies offers a comprehensive and valuable understanding of religion as a whole as well as Christianity and the Church in particular.