Frederik (Frits) de Lange (1955) is Professor of Ethics at the Theological University of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands, Kampen, the Netherlands. He studied theology in Kampen, were he attained his Ph. D. in 1985 with a dissertation, titled: Grond onder de voeten. Burgerlijkheid bij Dietrich Bonhoeffer. [Ground under the Feet. Civic virtue in Dietrich Bonhoeffer].
From 1985 – 1990, he ministered the Dutch Reformed Church in Paris (France). He still is an ordained pastor.
During the years 1990 – 1997 he was lecturer in ethics at the University of Groningen.
Since 1997 he teaches at the Theological University Kampen.
From December 6, 2001 – September 5, 2005 he was Rector of the University.
He wrote books on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Simone Weil, hermeneutics, individualism, an introduction in social ethics (as a co-author) a study on evolution theory and theological ethics (1997). One of his books on Bonhoeffer has been translated: Waiting for the Word. Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Speaking about God (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids 2000). Actually in his research he concentrates on questions related to modern life course, gerontology and ethics. He wrote two books on the subject: De mythe van het voltooide leven (The Myth of a Completed Life) 2007, and De armoede van het zwitserlevengevoel (The Shabbiness of Third Age Hedonism), 2008.
He is a member of the Society of Christian Ethics, the (European) Societas Ethica and the American Academy of Religion (AAR).
He presided the Dutch section of the International Bonhoeffer Society from 1994 until 2003.
He is member of the Advisory Board of the Dutch Church in London, Austin Frairs,
and editor of Geron, a Dutch journal for professionals working with elderly.
Since 2009 he is Extraordinary Professor at the Theological Faculty of Stellenbosch University, South-Africa.
His passion, among others: playing guitar and singing in the band Tuesday@8
Interesting insights Professor! Being from the “Stille Generatie” but much influenced by North-American focus on life and faith since coming to Canada 50 years ago. Just wondering about the “emergent church” movement (Brian McLaren, et al) in the Netherlands. Does it have an appeal in your thinking? Is there a European equivalent extant that I may have missed so far?
P.S. I only found your site just now, and am busy reading.