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Verbum et Ecclesia
On-line version ISSN 2074-7705
Print version ISSN 1609-9982
Verbum Eccles. (Online) vol.30 n.3 Pretoria 2009
http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/VE.V30I3.183
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
DOI: 10.4102/ VE.V30I3.183
Sharing in God's surprise: The place and role of the Department of Science of Religion and Missiology at the University of Pretoria
Pieter (Piet) G.J. Meiring
Department of Science of Religion and Missiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
ABSTRACT
During the centenary year of the University of Pretoria (2008), the Department of Science of Religion and Missiology took stock of its activities during the past 55 years, since the first professor in Missiology, H.D.A. du Toit, was appointed. In his wake a number of missiologists followed - C.W.H. Boshoff, D. Crafford, P.G.J. Meiring, J.J. Kritzinger, P.J. van der Merwe, A.S. van Niekerk and C.J.P. Niemandt - each of whom has contributed to the formation of hundreds of ministers and missionaries, as well as to the development of missiology and science of religion in South Africa through their research and writings. In this article, the place of missiology among the other theological disciplines at the University of Pretoria is discussed, together with an analysis of the nature and the mandate of missiology and science of religion in South Africa in our day. This article discusses five specific challenges to missiology at the beginning of the third millennium, namely to maintain its theological 'roots'; to operate in close relationship with the church; to focus on our African context; to concentrate on a relevant agenda; and to develop a responsible methodology. Attention is given to some of the more important publications by members of the Department.
Keywords: Department of Science of Religion and Missiology; University of Pretoria; mission; missiology; Dutch Reformed Church
Full text available only in PDF format.
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Correspondence:
Pieter (Piet) Meiring
327 Camellia Ave
Lynnwood Glen
Pretoria, 0081, Gauteng
South Africa
E-mail: pietmeiring@telkomsa.net
Received: 16 July 2009
Accepted: 29 Aug. 2009
Published: 17 Dec. 2009