Klaas Runia
Encyclopedia
Klaas Runia was a Dutch theologian, churchman and journalist. He studied at the Free University, Amsterdam and obtained his doctorate with a dissertation on the concept of theological time in Karl Barth
in 1955. In 1956 he was appointed Professor of Systematic theology at the Reformed Theological College
in Geelong, Australia, where he taught until his return to the Netherlands in 1971. During his time in Australia he exerted much influence on evangelical Christians, particularly at universities and theological schools. He was also elected chairman of the Reformed Ecumenical Council
from 1968 to 1976. In 1971 he was appointed Professor of Practical Theology at the Kampen Theological University
. During his professorship he was heavily engaged in church affairs and was regarded as a leader of the orthodox wing of the Dutch Reformed Church (Gereformeerde Kerken van Nederland), now the Protestant Church in the Netherlands
. For many years he was also active as a journalist. He was editor-in-chief of Centraal Weekblad from 1972 to 1996. He also wrote many articles in the Frisian daily newspaper Friesch Dagblad. He retired in 1992, but remained active as a theologian and journalist until his death in 2006.
For a complete bibliography of all his writings see Bibliography of the Writings of Professor Klaas Runia 1926–2006, compiled, edited and introduced by David T Runia (2010).
Karl Barth
Karl Barth was a Swiss Reformed theologian whom critics hold to be among the most important Christian thinkers of the 20th century; Pope Pius XII described him as the most important theologian since Thomas Aquinas...
in 1955. In 1956 he was appointed Professor of Systematic theology at the Reformed Theological College
Reformed Theological College
The Reformed Theological College is the theological college supported by the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia, the Reformed Churches of New Zealand and the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Australia...
in Geelong, Australia, where he taught until his return to the Netherlands in 1971. During his time in Australia he exerted much influence on evangelical Christians, particularly at universities and theological schools. He was also elected chairman of the Reformed Ecumenical Council
Reformed Ecumenical Council
The Reformed Ecumenical Council is an international organization of CalvinistChurches. It has 39 member denominations from 25 countries in its membership, and those churches have about 12 million people together. It was founded in 1946 as the Reformed Ecumenical Synod...
from 1968 to 1976. In 1971 he was appointed Professor of Practical Theology at the Kampen Theological University
Kampen Theological University
Protestant Theological University is one of two theological universities in the Dutch city of Kampen.-History:The university was founded in 1854 as the Theological School by the Christian Reformed Church in the Netherlands, a church resulting from a schism in 1834, to provide for theological...
. During his professorship he was heavily engaged in church affairs and was regarded as a leader of the orthodox wing of the Dutch Reformed Church (Gereformeerde Kerken van Nederland), now the Protestant Church in the Netherlands
Protestant Church in the Netherlands
The Protestant Church in the Netherlands is the largest Protestant Christian denomination in the Netherlands. With 2,000 congregations and a membership of some 1.8 million , it is the second largest church in the Netherlands after the Roman Catholic Church.It was founded 1 May 2004 as a merger of...
. For many years he was also active as a journalist. He was editor-in-chief of Centraal Weekblad from 1972 to 1996. He also wrote many articles in the Frisian daily newspaper Friesch Dagblad. He retired in 1992, but remained active as a theologian and journalist until his death in 2006.
Works
- De theologische tijd bij Karl BarthKarl BarthKarl Barth was a Swiss Reformed theologian whom critics hold to be among the most important Christian thinkers of the 20th century; Pope Pius XII described him as the most important theologian since Thomas Aquinas...
, 1955 (dissertation) - Karl BarthKarl BarthKarl Barth was a Swiss Reformed theologian whom critics hold to be among the most important Christian thinkers of the 20th century; Pope Pius XII described him as the most important theologian since Thomas Aquinas...
's Doctrine of Holy Scripture, 1962 - I Believe in God..., 1963
- Reformation Today, 1968
- The Sermon under Attack, 1983 (Moore College Lectures)
- The Present-day Christological Debate, 1984
- Wegen en doolwegen in de nieuwere theologie, 1993
- Bewerken en bewaren, 1982 (Festschrift)
- In de krachtenveld van de Geest, 1992 (Festschrift)
For a complete bibliography of all his writings see Bibliography of the Writings of Professor Klaas Runia 1926–2006, compiled, edited and introduced by David T Runia (2010).