Description
God's diplomat, the pope of the ecumenical movement, but also an acerbic theologian and a difficult person: this is how journalists characterised Willem Adolf Visser 't Hooft (1900-1985). He was one of the best-known Dutch theologians outside the Netherlands and he left his mark on the world church. Even at an early age, he made profound efforts in support of international ecumenical youth and student organisations (Dutch Student Christian Movement, YMCA and World Student Christian Federation). He led the World Council of Churches during its formative stages (from 1938), and after its formal establishment in 1948 became its first general secretary, serving until 1966. To Visser 't Hooft, the unity of the church was both an article of faith and a pragmatic organisation of church influence in a disunited world.
About the Author
Jurjen Zeilstra (1961) is a historian and theologian. The biography served as a dissertation in the humanities at the Amsterdam Free University in order to receive the degree of Ph.D. in 2018. Earlier, in 1995, Zeilstra earned the degree of Th.D. with his thesis European Unity in Ecumenical Thinking, 1937-1948, in the Theological Faculty at Utrecht University. His current job is as a Protestant minister in Hilversum.
Reviews
"La biographie de Zeilstra sur le premier secretaire general du COE est un apport important aux ressources pour l'etude de l'histoire de l'Eglise du XXe siecle et du mouvement oecumenique : avec un index detaille des noms et des sujets et de nom-breuses references, ce livre s'averera inestimable pour les futurs chercheurs."
- Stephen Brown, ISTINA LXVI (2021)
"Zeilstra has written an impressive study that provides profound insights into the efforts of one man, and through him of a movement, trying in one of the most momentous historical eras to forge church unity. For both it was the means of creating a more humane, just and peaceful world. The book will be of interest to all with similar aspirations."
- Dianne Kirby, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, European History Quarterly, Vol. 50, 4 (2020)
Book Information
ISBN 9789463726832
Author Jurjen Zeilstra
Format Hardback
Page Count 598
Imprint Amsterdam University Press
Publisher Amsterdam University Press
About the Author
Jurjen Zeilstra (1961) is a historian and theologian. The biography served as a dissertation in the humanities at the Amsterdam Free University in order to receive the degree of Ph.D. in 2018. Earlier, in 1995, Zeilstra earned the degree of Th.D. with his thesis European Unity in Ecumenical Thinking, 1937-1948, in the Theological Faculty at Utrecht University. His current job is as a Protestant minister in Hilversum.
Reviews
"La biographie de Zeilstra sur le premier secretaire general du COE est un apport important aux ressources pour l'etude de l'histoire de l'Eglise du XXe siecle et du mouvement oecumenique : avec un index detaille des noms et des sujets et de nom-breuses references, ce livre s'averera inestimable pour les futurs chercheurs."
- Stephen Brown, ISTINA LXVI (2021)
"Zeilstra has written an impressive study that provides profound insights into the efforts of one man, and through him of a movement, trying in one of the most momentous historical eras to forge church unity. For both it was the means of creating a more humane, just and peaceful world. The book will be of interest to all with similar aspirations."
- Dianne Kirby, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, European History Quarterly, Vol. 50, 4 (2020)
Book Information
ISBN 9789463726832
Author Jurjen Zeilstra
Format Hardback
Page Count 598
Imprint Amsterdam University Press
Publisher Amsterdam University Press
