European Journal of Theology - Volume 35, Issue 1, 2026

This article challenges the traditional distinction in Protestant theology between natural (or general) revelation and supernatural (or special) revelation. It critically examines the view of creation as divine revelation from both biblical and theological standpoints, with particular attention to Romans 1:19-21 within the broader context of Romans 1:18-32. The discussion then turns to modern Eastern Christian thought and proposes one of its perspectives – drawing specifically on the works of Fathers Georges Florovsky and Sergius Bulgakov – as a potentially constructive alternative. Often overlooked in Western theological discourse, this perspective offers a way to address – or even circumvent – certain biblical and theological tensions and extremes related to the doctrine of revelation.

This article provides a brief introduction to the work and writings of Pierre Charles Marcel (1910–1992). Marcel played an important role in introducing neo-Calvinist thought to France, drawing on the theological heritage of Auguste Lecerf while engaging with the Dutch Reformed philosophy of Herman Dooyeweerd. Despite his significant contributions, his work received more recognition internationally than in France.

This article deals with the theological justification of diaconia as a Christian social practice. It critically discusses the attempt by the Swiss authors Heinz Rüegger and Christoph Sigrist to justify diaconia by means of the theology of creation. For them, the human ability to help represents a universal phenomenon, an anthropological constant, which they theologically reflect in the context of the teaching on creation. The article compares this model with another contemporary attempt at a theological justification of diaconia, viz. the diaconal Christology of Fritz Lienhard. The author reflects on the weaknesses of the ‘Swiss concept’ and emphasizes the need for a Christological justification of diaconia, which also includes a protological and an anthropological dimension.

This article examines the gap between formal permission and the actual practice of women’s participation in evangelical free churches in Europe. Combining insights from gender studies and the sociology of religion, it draws on two complementary datasets: a survey of congregational leaders in Portugal and a European focus group with women involved in church ministry. The study explores how theological, institutional and cultural factors interact to shape women’s access to leadership and ministerial roles. While many leaders affirm that women are allowed to serve in all roles, empirical evidence reveals persistent discrepancies between discourse and practice. These inconsistencies reflect not only theological convictions but also broader structural and cultural constraints, including gendered divisions of labour and enduring symbolic hierarchies. The findings highlight the need for continued theological reflection on vocation and spaces of service and ministry, and suggest that bridging the gap between permission and practice remains both a sociological and an ecclesiological challenge for contemporary free evangelical communities.

For the first time, this study systematically analyses the whereabouts and departures of pastors in German and Swiss Free Churches and ‘Gemeinschaftsverbänden‘.¹ In the years 2003–2023, 75.6% of the new ministers remained in the pastoral ministry long-term, 22.1% left early, mainly due to a change of profession or family work. The annual exit rate is 3.4%. In large associations as well as in traditional churches, the retention rate is significantly higher. A comparison with the number of graduates from ‘free’ training institutions indicates that there are currently 1.8 pastoral vacancies per graduate, which means that there is a significant structural shortfall. While the data collected refute the frequently postulated idea of a ‘mass exit’ from pastoral ministry, it nevertheless implies the need to ask more specific questions about the causes of, and possible strategies against, early departure from ministry.