Welcome to the Department of New Testament and Related Literature at the University of Pretoria! It is a joy and privilege to lead a department that not only upholds academic excellence but also contributes meaningfully to theological and social transformation—locally, continentally, and globally. Ours is a department that takes the ancient texts of Christianity seriously: the New Testament, as well as the versions of the Greek Old Testament and the writings of early Christians from the second to the seventh century, are not just historical artefacts—they are rich, complex voices that continue to speak into our world today. We believe that the study of the New Testament and early Christianity is far more than the acquisition of knowledge; it is a deeply human and intellectually rigorous conversation across time. Our department is committed to engaging these texts within their historical, literary, linguistic, and cultural ecosystems, while also reading them through contemporary lenses—ethical, philosophical, and decolonial. In this way, we contribute to what we call a history of the present, where ancient Christian texts help us confront the questions of our time: justice, identity, gender, power, trauma, and hope. When you enter this department, you become part of a living community of discourse and reading. It is a space where ideas are not only exchanged but shaped—reflexively and reflectively. Here, students and scholars alike are invited into sustained dialogue with ancient texts, with each other, and with the pressing concerns of our world. We foster an interdisciplinary environment in which critical thought, curiosity, and respectful engagement give rise to new insights and responsible theological imagination. The Department of New Testament and Related Literature is a diverse and dynamic scholarly community. Our staff are internationally recognised researchers, committed teachers, and dedicated mentors. We offer advanced expertise in areas such as the Gospels, Pauline and Deutero-Pauline studies, apocalyptic literature, early Christian receptions of the Old Testament, the apocrypha, early Christian literature, slavery, gender and sexuality in early Christianity, ancient medicine, healing, and disability, and African hermeneutics. Our research is interdisciplinary and socially engaged. As a department, we are proud to be part of the larger Faculty of Theology and Religion—a faculty that is both theologically rich and socially responsive. Within this broader context, our department contributes to a curriculum that is critically reflective, deeply contextual, and globally connected. We work closely with church communities, research partners, and society to ensure that our scholarship is relevant, accessible, and transformative. Whether you are a prospective student, researcher, or collaborator, we invite you to explore our work and engage with our community. You will find here not only rigorous academic training, but also a commitment to nurturing thinkers and leaders who will shape the future of theology and society in Africa and beyond. Warm regards, |
|
