1. About us
  2. Bibliological Perspectives

Focus

The Sub-Programme Bibliological Perspectives is devoted to in-depth research of the Old and New Testament. This includes exegetical, hermeneutical, biblical theological, theological and canonical studies. 

 

Subprogramme leader

Prof Albert Coetsee

e-mail: albert.coetsee@nwu.ac.za

Tel: (+27) 018 299 1606

 

Objectives

To undertake exegetical, hermeneutical, revelation historical (theological), canonical and related studies of the Old and New Testament.

 

Members of the Subprogrammes

Dr Lekgetho Moretsi

Dr Zukile Nqgeza

Dr Chris van der Walt

Mrs Sheurl Davis

Prof Elma Cornelius

Prof Philip du Toit

Prof Hennie Goede

Prof Risimati Hobyane

Prof Francois Viljoen

Dr Walter Maqoma

Apart from the full-time staff listed above, the Subprogramme has a number of internationally renowned extraordinary researchers. Many of the researchers within the Subprogramme are active members of the Old Testament Society of South Africa (OTSSA), New Testament Society of South Africa (NTSSA), European Association of Biblical Studies (EABS) and Society of Biblical Literature (SBL).

 

Projects

 

EABS research unit: “Biblical Theological Investigations into the Attributes of God”

Since 2020 the Subprogramme hosts a research unit at the European Association of Biblical Studies (EABS). The aim of the research unit is to investigate how biblical texts portray a specific attribute of God as part of the developing, unfolding, and progressive story line of the text, and to publish the results of these investigations. The focus of the research unit for 2025 is the immutability of God.

 

Reading circle

The Subprogramme meets once a month to hear a paper of one of its members, to discuss its content and to give feedback. This usually takes place the last Friday of the month at 14:30-15:30. Other scholars who are interested to form part of the discussion, are welcome to contact the Subprogramme leader for more information.

 

Recently completed projects

Christian hermeneutics in South Africa

 

Old Testament

 

New Testament

 

A Biblical Theology of Prayer

Much is written about prayers in the Biblical text. Many of these writings attend to specific prayers, or prayers in specific books. Publications with general overviews and perspectives on prayer are numerous. However, it seems that very little in depth studies of prayers in all the corpora of the Biblical text have been done. This research project intends to fill this gap. A Biblical Theological approach is followed, by which a variety of scholars are requested to investigate prayer and worship in specific corpora of both the Old and New Testament. A concluding chapter follows in which the Biblical Theological perspectives will be formulated based on the investigations of the different corpora, to provide the ‘big picture’ from the variety of biblical texts by reading the Biblical material holistically.

The publication consists of two volumes, one volume covering the Old Testament and the other the New Testament:

Biblical Theology of Prayer OT 2023

Biblical Theology of Prayer NT 2023

 

Prospective students

Postgraduate students interested in studies related to the focus of the Subprogramme are encouraged to apply at the NWU. Proficiency in Semitic Languages (for Old Testament studies) and Greek (for New Testament studies) is a prerequisite for most M and D studies within the Subprogramme, as well as knowledge of subject-specific works related to the research focus of the project. A provisional research motivation should be included with the application, containing the following:

  1. Working title of study
  2. Field, focus and possible study leader
  3. Background
  4. Problem statement
  5. Aims and objectives
  6. Central theoretical argument (hypothesis)
  7. Methodology
  8. Value of study
  9. Ethical framework
  10. References