Faculty of Theology
Prof CJA Vos, Dean
Telephone number: 012 420 2322
Fax number: 012 420 4016
E-mail address: cas.vos@up.ac.za
Preface by the Dean
Relevant and competitive research remains one of the core building blocks of the Faculty of Theology. To be nationally relevant in church and society and to be internationally competitive are prime goals which this Faculty strives for.
A large number of research publications, several international books, a national Technology and Human Resources for Industry Program (THRIP) Excellence Award and increasing involvement of personnel in international academic projects and endeavors during 2005 are proof of our commitment to become one of the leading research faculties at the University.
The influence and impact of theological research in Africa and South Africa can hardly be underestimated. As a multi-church Faculty in cooperation with other faculties and universities this impact has been underscored by the high intensity of public interest and news coverage during 2005. A variety of themes have been addressed in the research endeavors of this year.
Research in Old and New Testament Studies or related extra-biblical literature focused on themes such as the Pentateuch, Psalms, Enoch, Septuagint, John, Christology and biblical ethics.
Research on Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics concentrated on the interaction between rationality, spirituality and morality, the ‘ethics of responsibility’ and the debate between Theology and the Natural Sciences.
In the area of Church History and Church Polity attention was given to African Christianity, reconciliation and ecumenical responsibility. With regard to Practical Theology the spotlight fell, amongst others, on various aspects of sexuality, liturgy, preaching, hymnology, cremation, trauma counseling, narrative pastoral family therapy, HIV/AIDS, and urban community development.
The focus areas in Science of Religion and Missiology included the importance of the Truth and Reconciliation process in South Africa and the role of various religions in this process. Black economic empowerment is also one of their main focus areas.
Once again research in the various focus areas took place in co-operation with a number of international institutions, including the Asbury Theological Seminary in the United States of America (USA), Context Group in the USA, Evangelical Theological Seminary Cairo (Egypt), the International Reformed Theological Institute, the Von Humboldt-University of Berlin, the Universities of Bonn, Durham (Duke Divinity School), Essen, Bochum, Louvain, Marburg, McCormick Theological Seminar (Chicago, USA), Munich, Münster, Princeton Theological Seminary, St Petersburg, Utrecht, Vienna and the Free University of Amsterdam.
In the Faculty of Theology, research is supported by courses in research methodology for graduate students. The research of graduate students and professionals who have obtained post-graduate degrees is integrated with the research projects of faculty members in collaboration with an extensive network of international research associates.
Two scholarly theological journals of the Faculty, HTS Theological Studies and Verbum et Ecclesia are internationally recognized and accredited for their scientific standard. Their editorial boards include various international scholars.
About 160 articles were published in national and international academic journals or books during 2005. Examples of international books include Theopoetry of the Psalms (CJA Vos), T & T Clark: London / New York; A Critical study of the Pentateuch. An encounter between Europe and Africa (E Otto & J Le Roux), LIT Verlag: Münster; Soteriology in the New Testament (JG van der Watt), Brill: Leiden; Christology and Theology in John's Gospel (JG van der Watt), Peters: Leuven.
Factors that will impact on the research of the faculty in 2006 will be the accumulating involvement of post-graduate researchers from church and society, increasing internationalisation, involvement of participating churches in new curricula, and relevant community projects like those on HIV/AIDS, Black Economic Empowerment, cremation, sexuality etc.
From international congresses on homiletics, Pentateuch, Psalms and Hebrews will emanate international academic involvement and books. Centres of the Faculty, including the Centre for Theology and Community (CTC), the Institute for Missiology and Ecumenical Research (IMER), the Centre for Continued Theological Training (CCTT) and the Reformed Theological College (RTC) will all stimulate research.
The Faculty of Theology accepts the challenge to maintain a high standard of relevant research during the coming year.
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