Highlights on 450 year Anniversary of the Dutch Profession of Faith

19-09-2011

Guido de Brès, a reformed minister from Doornik, on the night of November 1st and 2nd in 1561, cast the book over the castle wall. In an accompanying letter he asked the king, Phillip II of Spain, to end the persecution of the Protestants. The profession was then adopted, in several different versions, by the synod of Antwerp (1566), the Convent of Wezel (1586), the synod of Emden (1571), and the synod of Dordrecht (1618/19). In many Protestant churches around the world, the book still functions as a written confession.

A number of partners from the international platform of Refo500 will be highlighted on the anniversary. The travel partner, Historizon, has organized a trip for October 18-21 called “In the footsteps of Guido de Brès” going to Northern France and Belgium.

In addition several conferences and symposiums will be held. The Gereformeerde Bond is involved in organizing a symposium on the 450 year anniversary of the Dutch Profession of Faith to be held on the 31st of October in Leiden and a symposium by the same title has been organized for November 1 in Kampen by the Theologische Universiteit Kampen. Speakers for both these events among others include: Dr. Gijsbert van den Brink, Dr. Erik de Boer, Dr. Patrick Nullens and Dr. Arie Baars. An international and interconfessional conference will be held on November 28 in Brussels by two of Refo500’s partners involved from Leuven, the Evangelical Theological Faculty of Leuven and the Catholic University of Leuven. Speakers of this conference among others include: Dr. Andreas J. Beck, Dr. Peter De Mey, and Dr. Peter Tomson.

Earlier this year, Refo500 publisher Uitgeverij Kok released Guido de Bres, zijn leven, zijn belijden, by E.A. Braekman and E.A. de Boer. This book wants to be a monument to the reformer.