Comparative Constitutional Law, Democracy, Dutch Politics, Law and Religion, Public Theology, Religion and Politics, Whither Europe?

Chapter on ‘The State of Western Constitutionalism: An Alternative Problem Analysis and Solution Direction’

I enjoyed contributing to the volume Law and Morality Revisited, which appeared last July and was edited by Jasper Doomen (Open University), Afshin Ellian, and Gelijn Molier (Leiden University). My contribution, written in 2023 and based on a guest lecture in January of that year, is titled: ‘The State of Western Constitutionalism: An Alternative Problem Analysis… Continue reading Chapter on ‘The State of Western Constitutionalism: An Alternative Problem Analysis and Solution Direction’

Comparative Constitutional Law, Dutch Politics, Law and Religion, Public Theology, Religion and Politics, Whither Europe?

Substack, “Meeting Päivi Räsänen”

During her recent visit to the Netherlands, I had the opportunity, with others, to meet Päivi Räsänen. Ms. Räsänen is the Finnish parliamentarian and former Interior Minister against whom legal proceedings have been pending for five years because of a ‘Bible tweet’, among other things. Read more about it here.

Comparative Constitutional Law, Democracy, Dutch Politics, Law and Religion, Public Theology, Religion and Politics, Whither Europe?

Substack, “Among the Protestants”

The Center for Public Justice has now made the recording and text of the 27th annual Kuyper lecture available on its website, which I had the privilege of giving earlier this month at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI. My lecture was titled “In Search of the Radical Middle-Navigating Populism and Progressivism.” I am happy to refer anyone interested in this… Continue reading Substack, “Among the Protestants”

Comparative Constitutional Law, Democracy, Dutch Politics, Law and Religion, Public Theology, Religion and Politics, Whither Europe?

CPJ’s 2024 Kuyper Lecturer

I am honored to have been invited to serve as the Center for Public Justice's 2024 Kuyper Lecturer. The topic of the lecture, which will take place early next month at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI, is: 'In Search of the Radical Middle: Navigating Populism and Progressivism.' Co-referees will be Ruth Melkonian-Hoover, Ph.D., Professor… Continue reading CPJ’s 2024 Kuyper Lecturer

Comparative Constitutional Law, Democracy, Law and Religion, Public Theology, Religion and Politics, Whither Europe?

Panel on “Human Dignity and Common Good Constitutionalism”

This week I will be attending the sixth conference of the International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies in Cordoba, Spain. The conference’s general theme is: "Human Dignity, Law, and Religious Diversity: Designing the Future of Inter-Cultural Societies." John Witte, Jr., Director of the Center of Law and Religion at Emory University, will deliver the… Continue reading Panel on “Human Dignity and Common Good Constitutionalism”

Comparative Constitutional Law, Democracy, Dutch Politics, Law and Religion, Public Theology, Religion and Politics, University, Whither Europe?

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2022!

Americans do this at Thanksgiving, and it is a beautiful tradition. However, I am only "half-American," so I feel the need to express my special gratitude at this time of the year towards: - Leiden University that made most of the things below possible and also allowed me this year to exchange views with a… Continue reading Merry Christmas and a Happy 2022!

Comparative Constitutional Law, Democracy, Dutch Politics, Public Theology

Blogpost ‘Klassiekers democratische rechtsstaat #12: Hoe de bestuursstaat te rechtvaardigen blijft’

Er is niet veel historisch besef nodig om te weten dat de bestuursstaat al sinds zijn ontstaan een omstreden type democratische rechtsstaat is. Toch lijkt de kritiek recentelijk nog aan te zwellen, tot het punt waarop bijvoorbeeld in de VS een algehele ontmanteling dreigt. Aangenomen dat de bestuursstaat niet voor niets in het leven is… Continue reading Blogpost ‘Klassiekers democratische rechtsstaat #12: Hoe de bestuursstaat te rechtvaardigen blijft’

Comparative Constitutional Law, Democracy, Dutch Politics, Law and Religion, Public Theology, Religion and Politics, Whither Europe?

Summer reading and work in progress

Here is some of my summer reading for a new book after I finished my current list. The books stem from a list of introductory texts in natural law, Roman law, canon law, and legal history. Several other titles are on my Kindle; just Javier Hervada is rather tricky to get by here. The book… Continue reading Summer reading and work in progress