New Testament and Related Literature

Welcome to the Department of New Testament and Related Literature

At the University of Pretoria, the Department of New Testament and Related Literature offers students a critical, rigorous, and intellectually enriching encounter with the foundational texts of Christianity. Our primary focus is the New Testament and early Christianity, and its world—its historical contexts, its literary artistry, and its theological vision. This engagement takes place within the broader framework of university-level theology, where scholarly inquiry meets lived experience and where ancient texts are examined not only for their original meaning but also for their enduring impact in church and society.

Studying the New Testament and early Christianity at UP is not merely about gaining biblical and historical knowledge. It is about cultivating critical-theoretical literacy, historical awareness, and interpretive skills. We encourage our students to ask complex questions, to explore diverse perspectives, and to examine how early Christian texts have shaped—and continue to shape—religious, social, and cultural realities and discourses. Whether your interest lies in the original Greek of Paul’s letters, the political tensions of Revelation, the theological poetics of John’s Gospel, or simply the experience of the daily life of the first Christian men, women, and even children and slaves, our department provides the resources and expertise for deep, sustained engagement.

Our discipline is anchored in academic excellence and social relevance. We believe that theology in Africa today must be decolonial, transformative, and engaged with both local communities and global scholarly conversations. In this department, we examine the New Testament and early Christian literature not as an isolated artefact, but a product of the ancient Jewish and Graeco-Roman world. We also ask modern questions to these texts as part of an evolving conversation about meaning, justice, and the human condition.

What makes us unique?

The name of our department—New Testament and Related Literature—is more than just a title; it reflects our distinctive academic vision. We study the New Testament within its broader literary, historical, and theological ecosystem. This includes the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) and the rich corpus of early Christian literature, from non-canonical gospels and apocryphal acts to theological writings, letters, and homilies produced in the first few centuries of the Common Era.

Unlike traditional approaches that separate “Bible” from “history” or “theology” from “literature,” our work is integrative, trans- and interdisciplinary. We understand the New Testament as a product of early Christianity—shaped by its Jewish roots, Graeco-Roman context, and the evolving practices of early Christian communities. Our scholars are deeply invested in exploring how these texts emerged, how they functioned socially and politically, and how they were read and reinterpreted across time.

We place a strong emphasis on the study of biblical and ancient languages—Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, Coptic, and Latin—as essential tools for rigorous scholarship. Just as importantly, we approach all texts through critical hermeneutics, recognising that ancient writings still speak powerfully to contemporary questions of identity, justice, suffering, and hope.

Vision

In line with the University of Pretoria’s vision and our commitment to research excellence, innovation, and transformation, we envision a department that redefines the field of New Testament and early Christian Studies through digital innovation, decolonial thought, interdisciplinary scholarship, community engagement, and academic rigour. We strive to become a globally recognised hub for cutting-edge scholarship that is rooted in African contexts and responsive to contemporary challenges.

Our vision is to be a space where ancient texts are studied not only for their historical value, but as sources for the construction of just, inclusive, and thoughtful public discourse. In this way, we embrace the notion of writing a history of the present—approaching early Christian texts and material culture with the urgent and complex questions of our time, allowing ancient voices to engage modern realities with depth and insight. We foster a vibrant and dynamic academic community that brings together diverse voices, methodologies, and disciplines in the study of the New Testament and its early Christian related literatures.

Mission

• To cultivate excellence in the critical study of the New Testament and related early Christian texts through innovative, student-centred, and decolonised teaching practices.
• To empower students with the linguistic, historical, and theoretical tools needed to engage deeply with ancient texts and their ongoing significance.
• To produce globally recognised research that is trans- and interdisciplinary, ethically responsible, and attentive to African and global realities.
• To serve as public intellectuals who engage churches, communities, and academic networks through scholarship that informs, challenges, and transforms.
• To collaborate locally and internationally through strategic partnerships, digital learning platforms, and research initiatives that expand the reach and relevance of early Christian studies.
• To integrate curricular community engagement and open-access educational resources to make our work more widely accessible and impactful.