Professor: Erik van Alten, PhD (Ukraine)
Time: February 12-16, 2018

Place: Riga, Akas str. 13, 18:00-21:00.
(In English, with simultaneous translation in Latvian)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

During the course, the growth and development of the Eastern and Western churches will be considered from c. 1650 to the present. Key themes on the history of the Western church will include the role of the Enlightenment, Pietism and Puritanism, missionary movements, ecumenical movements, Pentecostal and charismatic movements, the development of modern theology and the history of the Roman Catholic Church during this period. The main themes on the history of the Eastern Church are the influence of Peter the Great, the church during the reign of the tsars, the church under communism and opposition to atheism, and the growth of Protestant churches.

ABOUT PROFESSOR

Erik van Alten was born and raised in South Africa from Dutch parents. Successfully defended his Doctoral degree at the Theological University of Kampen (The Netherlands) in June 2017.

Having served as minister in Reformed churches in South Africa for a number of years, from 2013 Erik is the director of the Evangelical Reformed Seminary of Ukraine, and is also teaching Church History and Systematic Theology there.

He is married to Tineke, also a South African from Dutch parents, and they have three sons and one daughter. Erik about himself, church history, ministry: “I love doing theology, especially church history. It’s a revelation to see history come alive, and to realize how much poorer we are without knowledge of the history of the church. Current affairs just make so much more sense once we understand them in the context of the past. When I’m not running the seminary or teaching, I spend time with my family. Being a pastor just makes you realize how valuable a good marriage and a happy family are.”

ABOUT THE CLASSES:

Auditors welcome. Participation fee is 14 EUR (includes materials and coffee breaks).

Signing up for the course and additional information:

Janis Perkons, phone +371 26356030, janis@brts.edu.lv