On 20th October 2026, Dr. Herman Selderhuis, Professor of Church History and Church Law at the Theological University of Apeldoorn, and President of both the Reformation Research Consortium and the European Academy of Religion visited our university. Dr. Selderhuis, who was awarded an honorary doctorate by DRHE in 2013, is a returning guest in Debrecen.
This time, he arrived in his capacity as educator and academic organiser. In the morning, he delivered a lecture at the invitation of Dr. Ábrahám Kovács, Head of the Department of Dogmatics. The presentation, titled “Dutch Tulips in an International Reformed Context,” focussed on the Synod of Dordrecht (1618–1619) and elicited significant interest from the student body. Several members of the faculty of the Institute of Theology were also in attendance. Dr. Selderhuis provided not only a historical overview of the background and proceedings of the Synod of Dort but also offered a theological interpretation of its Canons. Throughout his talk, he emphasized the interrelatedness of historical and systematic theological approaches, as well as the contemporary relevance of the Synod’s teachings.
In the evening, Professor Zoltán Kustár, Rector of Debrecen Reformed Theological University, received Dr. Selderhuis. During an informal working dinner, also attended by Karla Boersma (Director of Operations of RefoRC), Prof. Ábrahám Kovács, and Dr. Gábor Ittzés (Head of the International Office at DRHE), the guests introduced RESILIENCE – The Religious Studies Research Infrastructure. The project is supported by the European Union and the governments of the participating nations. Dr. Selderhuis invited the DRHE to join the project as an observer over the coming years. A decision concerning the university’s participation will be made after thorough review of the details and conditions of collaboration.
Another key topic of discussion was the establishment of an Erasmus partnership between the Theological University of Apeldoorn and the DRHE. Both parties expressed interest in this possibility. Further steps toward formalising the relationship will be taken through the appropriate university channels.
Following their visit, the guests traveled on to Cluj-Napoca, Romania, for a regional RefoRC conference.