Skip to ContentSkip to Navigation
Alumni Nieuws

Proceeds of ‘Professor, does God exist?' to the Eric Bleumink Fund

23 February 2017

Astronomy Professor Peter Barthel will donate the proceeds from his new book ‘Professor, does God exist?’ to the Eric Bleumink Fund.

As part of the 400th anniversary of the University of Groningen in 2014 people could send interesting questions to the University. One came from the 7-year old Anco: ‘Professor, does God exist?’. Scientist Barthel, himself a ‘critical member’ of the Protestant Church, gave it a lot of thought and discussed it with theologians Carel ter Linden, Klaas Hendrikse, and Harry Kuitert. ‘No, God does not exist as a person who lives in heaven, rules the world, and takes care of you. All the good and beautiful things in this world, that is what I would call God. God exists in how you and I live. People who want to take care of each other: that is where you can see something of God’, he concluded in his answer to Anco. In a lecture during the 'Night of Arts and Science' in 2014 he expounded that answer.

Dutch newspaper Trouw published the letter, causing an honest-to-goodness polemic. Several theologians rejected his progressive vision. For example, Barthel dismisses the Creation narrative. But the majority of the reactions he got were laudatory. The astronomer was praised for his ‘open and clear view’. Reason enough for Barthel to elaborate on his answer and disseminate it as a book. On the 1st of March, Barthel will hand the first copy of his book to Anco, now ten years old, at the Riemer bookstore in the Oude Ebbingestraat. Scientific journalist René Fransen and UG professors Geurt Henk van Kooten (theology) and Franjo Weissing (biology) will discuss Barthel’s answer with the audience. The event is free and doors open at 7.30 p.m.

The proceeds of the book will be donated to the Eric Bleumink Fund, that gives out grants to talented students from developing countries.

Last modified:22 December 2022 12.22 p.m.
View this page in: Nederlands

More news

  • 13 October 2023

    Moniek Tromp appointed Captain of Science of the Top Sector Chemistry

    Prof. Moniek Tromp has been appointed Captain of Science of the Chemistry Top Sector by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. As from 1 July 2023, she succeeded Prof. Bert Weckhuysen from Utrecht University.

  • 12 September 2023

    Art in times of AI

    Leonardo Arriagada Beltran conducted his PhD research on the interface of computer-generated art and the constantly evolving field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He will defend his Phd thesis on 21 September. His research offers valuable insights...

  • 28 August 2023

    Harish Vedantham and Casper van der Kooi nominated for 'Wetenschapstalent 2023'

    Harish Vedantham and Casper van der Kooi have been nominated by New Scientist for Wetenschapstalent 2023 (Science Talent 2023). This election is meant to give young scientists and their research a stage.