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
Message by the Dean
For the Faculty of Theology qualitative research remains one of the core building stones of its academic contribution to the scholarly community and to the South African society. To be nationally relevant in Church and Society and to be internationally competitive among highly ranked international universities are prime academic endeavours, which this faculty strives for.
A large number of research publications, some international books, SANPAD, NRF and THRIP awards as well as the increasing involvement of personnel in international academic projects and endeavours during 2007 have encouraged the faculty’s dedication to be one of the leading research faculties at the University.
The influence and impact of theological research in South Africa and the world can hardly be underestimated. As a multi-church faculty in cooperation with other faculties and universities worldwide this impact has been underscored by the high intensity of public interest and news coverage during 2007. A variety of themes have been addressed in the research endeavours this year: the authority of the Scripture, homosexuality, HIV/Aids, and the relationship between various religions are some examples.
Again, research in Old and New Testament Studies or related extra-biblical literature was focused on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Enoch, Septuagint, John, Christology and biblical ethics. Research in 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.
Church History and Church Polity has focused attention on African Christianity, reconciliation and ecumenical responsibility. With regard to Practical Theology the emphasis fell, inter alia, on various aspects of sexuality, liturgy, preaching, hymnology, cremation, trauma counseling, narrative pastoral family therapy, HIV/Aids, and urban community development.
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 (BEE) is also one of their main focus areas.
Co-operation with a number of international institutions took place during 2007, including the Asbury Theological Seminary (USA), the Context Group (USA), Evangelical Theological Seminary Cairo (Egypt), the International Reformed Theological Institute, Von Humboldt-University (Berlin), Durham (Duke Divinity School), Essen Bochum, Louvain, Marburg, McCormick Theological Seminary (Chicago, USA), Princeton Theological Seminary, St Petersburg, Utrecht, Vienna, Free University of Amsterdam and Ludwig-Maximillians-Universität, München, Germany.
Research in the faculty is supported by courses in research methodology for especially grauate students. These students as well as professionals with post-graduate degrees are integrated in research projects of faculty members in collaboration with an extensive network of international research associates.
Two scholarly theological journal of the faculty, namely, HTS Theological Studies and Verbum et Ecclesia are internationally recognized and accredited journals. Their editorial boards include various international scholars.
Approximately 118 articles were published in national/international academic journals and books during 2007. Examples of international books include e.g. Het Evangelie van Judas (J van Oort), Ten Have: Netherlands; and Identity, ethos, and ethics in the New Testament J G van der Watt (ed), Walter de Gruyter: Berlin. Deuteronomy in Hebrews, in: Menken, M J J & Moyise, S (eds), Deuteronomy in the New Testament, 152-168 (G J Steyn), T &T Clark/Continuum: London. The translation of Theopoetry of the Psalms in Korean (CJA Vos) Qumran Publishing Home: Seoul, Korea. Psalms and Mythology D J Human (ed). T & T Clark: New York/London. South African Perspectives on the Pentateuch (J le Roux & E Otto eds). T & T Clark: New York/London.
Factors that will impact on the research of the faculty in 2008 will be the accumulating involvement of post-graduate researchers from Church and Society, sustainable internationalization, involvement of participating churches in Faculty activities, and relevant community projects like those on HIDV/Aids, BEE, cremation, sexuality, the Septuagint and others.
International congresses on Homiletics, Pentateuch, Psalms and Hebrews have been held in 2006 and will be disseminated internationally in academic books during 2009. Centres of the faculty, like 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) have all stimulated research. The faculty accepts the challenge of maintaining a high standard of relevant research during 2007.
Prof CJA Vos
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