Samuel Naeranus (1582-1641) en Johannes Naeranus (1608-1679). Twee remonstrantse theologen op de bres voor godsdienstige verdraagzaamheid

PhD ceremony: Mr. S.J. Visser, 14.45 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Title: Samuel Naeranus (1582-1641) en Johannes Naeranus (1608-1679). Twee remonstrantse theologen op de bres voor godsdienstige verdraagzaamheid

Promotor(s): prof. M.P.A. de Baar, prof. E.H. Cossee

Faculty: Theology and Religious Studies

 

The fight for religious toleration, championed by Samuel Naeranus (1582-1641) and by his son Johannes Naeranus (1608-1679) forms the core of this intellectual double biography by Sibbe Jan Visser. The research in the first part of the study focuses on the biographies of these two members of the Naeranus family, descendants of a noted line of preachers. The research into the origins, family relationships, lives, professional careers and friendships of Samuel and Johannes Naeranus has enabled us to pinpoint the factors that influenced their beliefs and attitudes, theological and otherwise. It has also helped us gain an understanding of what motivated them to take a personal stand for religious tolerance. The research is based mainly on the surviving correspondence of Samuel and Johannes. The second part of the study reconstructs the intellectual networks in which Samuel and Johannes Naeranus were active. The research into their intellectual networks is based largely upon their alba amicorum, together with, for Samuel Naeranus, the two volumes of (Latin) poetry he published. The research has shed light on the role that father and son played in the ‘Republic of Letters’ and the form that their fight for religious tolerance took. The third part of the study covers a number of specific contributions, also about tolerance, made by Samuel and Johannes Naeranus to the theological debates of their time. The sources that were used for this research mainly consist of treatises and letters. The comparative perspective underpinning the research has allowed us to gain an understanding of and explain at least some of the similarities and differences between father and son.