Theology exhibitions in the Merensky 2 Library

It is the Faculty of Theology’s centenary year (1917-2017) and the Merensky 2 Library focused on the first 100 years in the life of the oldest Faculty of Theology in South Africa with an exhibition on level 3.

In the second exhibition prominent theologians in the South African context contributed to the symbolic theme of the opening of the gates. The vision and mission of the Faculty was depicted:

• On the basis of important dates and highlights in the timeline of theology.

• The importance of the Faculty's theme "Ecodomy - building up the household".

This exhibition illustrated the historical contribution of predecessors inside and outside the faculty. The important roles of well-known South African theologians such as Andrew Murray, Johan Heyns, Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Makgoba and David Bosch were portrayed by means of publications, quotes and photographs.

Recognition was also given on 6 March 2017 to 10 important persons who contributed to the reinstatement of the gates. These 10 people were represented by combining the symbolic theme of a cloud or witnesses and white pigeons.

To highlight the contribution of "Women doing theology" the focus was placed on academic theologians who are busy with ground breaking research in South African theology – notably in the field of thought to establish feminism within theology, depicted in a South African context, such as Prof. Yolanda Dreyer, professor of practical theology at UP. Publications and photographs were used to emphasize the important role women theologians play in South Africa. Artworks in the form of doves and women, focusing on purple as the colour of theology, were used to make the exhibits more eye-catching.

The aim of the main exhibition was to also mount a joint exhibition with the different faculty libraries in Merensky 2 and the Music library, to highlight the role of theology/religion in different subject fields and God’s creation.These libraries collaborated with the main centenary celebrations by also creating a sea of purple small exhibitions in front of the entrance to each level to highlight the relationship of Theology with their subject fields.  Each faculty library displayed a unique theme which formed part of the exhibition from 1 July to the end of August.

Photos of these exhibitions are available on the UP Llibrary’s Facebook page and under the centenary galleries of the Faculty of Theology.