ACTS on Freedom, Rev. Hinne Wagenaar (book 2026) English

Description

The central theme of the Book of Acts in the New Testament is the transition of the Gospel message from its original Jewish context to a variety of Gentile (non-Jewish) contexts. Consequently, the emerging Jesus movement had to navigate this transition, taking into account the diversity of languages and cultures. This sparked serious debate and conflict but ultimately led to an unequivocal “Yes” to freedom and diversity.This affirmation of freedom and diversity has, in later times—especially during the period of Western colonialism—been lost and buried in the missionary process. African theologians, together with other theologians from minority traditions, have, however, passionately protested against the anthropological poverty that resulted from such a colonial missionary “
” attitude. In the Book of Acts, they (re)discovered the freedom to follow Christ within their own (minority) traditions.

This insight gave Hinne Wagenaar a new theological perspective on the minority background of his native Fryslân (in the north of the Netherlands). Drawing on seven passages from the Book of Acts, he seeks to develop a biblical foundation for missionary reflection on language and culture. In doing so, he outlines the fundamental characteristics of theology in a local context—not only for Fryslân or Africa, but for Christians worldwide.

Rev. Hinne Wagenaar studied at the University of Groningen and at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He taught African theology at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Kumba (Cameroon) and missiology at the University of Groningen. In 2012, he and his wife Sietske Visser founded Nijkleaster, a new monastic community in Fryslân. This led to the establishment of Westerhûs Monastery, where they currently live as modern monastics.

—

The emerging and growing Jesus movement was compelled to take a stance regarding the multitude of languages and cultures among Jesus’s new followers. This sparked intense
conflicts and debates, but ultimately resulted in an unequivocal “Yes” to freedom and diversity.

This positive choice for freedom and diversity was lost in later times, particularly during the era of Western colonialism, in the context of missionary work. African theologians, together with other theologians from minority traditions, have passionately protested against the anthropological poverty resulting from the colonial missionary attitude. In the book of Acts (ACTS), they (re)discovered the freedom to follow Jesus in their own language and culture.

This insight gave Hinne Wagenaar a new theological perspective on his own Frisian background and the minority status of the Frisian language and culture within the church and society. Drawing on seven passages from the Book of Acts, he develops a biblical foundation for missional reflection on language and culture. From this emerge the central characteristics associated with contextual theology. These characteristics serve as reference points against which a local theology can measure itself or reflect. Not only in Fryslân or Africa, but worldwide.

Rev. Hinne Wagenaar studied at the University of Groningen and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He taught African theology at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Kumba (Cameroon) and missiology at the Protestant Theological University. In 2012, he and his wife, Sietske Visser, co-founded Nijkleaster, a new monastic project in the village of Jorwert. This led to the establishment of Klooster Westerhûs, where they currently live as modern monastics.