Inaugural address: Professor Jerry Pillay

On the 30 August 2017 Professor Jerry Pillay from the Department of Church History and Church Polity delivered his inaugural address.

Herewith an abstract of his address:

ABSTRACT

       South African universities are in the process of serious transformation and restructuring. The place of

faculties of theology at universities has come under the spotlight, resulting in the closure of several

theological faculties or the moving of theology to other faculties, mainly humanities or arts. Theology is

under pressure and in the current academic environment, church history, in its traditional form, has all

but disappeared from South African universities.

This paper is an attempt to address the current situation. Whilst I will deliberate on the issue of

theology at public universities, my main focus as Head of Department of Church History and Church

Polity , is to explore the future study of church history in the context of universities and, in particular,

a Faculty of Theology. Understanding church history in the broad framework as Historical Theology,

this address asserts the significance of church history at public universities, but points out the need to

restructure the Department giving due consideration to community engagement, internationalisation,

nationalisation, transformation, africanisation and interreligious relationships. All of these would have a

serious impact on teaching, learning and research.

To read the full paper or for more information please email UP on [email protected]