Services on Demand
Article
Indicators
Related links
- Cited by Google
- Similars in Google
Share
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.v30i3.182
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
doi: 10.4102/ ve.v30i3.182
Old Testament Studies: The story of a department
Jurie le Roux
Ddepartment of Old Testament, University of Pretoria, South Africa
ABSTRACT
The Department of Old Testament at the Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, has been in existence since 1938 and this article is an attempt to highlight some aspects of its history. The article consists of two main sections. The first discusses the place of the Department in the world, in Africa and at the University. It is stated that the Department always moved with the times and re-invented itself in new contexts. It found a stronghold in the university context, addressed the problems of our times intellectually and consistently maintained international contacts. In the second section, the members of the Department are discussed individually. It will become clear that there is a strange mixture of synchrony and diachrony, of reading the text in its final form and of taking the historical context and growth seriously. Both approaches exist alongside each other and complement each other. It is concluded that the Department's future lies in its scholarly past - in the intellectual traditions in which it is embedded, and in its ability to adapt to new contexts without losing its total devotion to critical scholarship, the students and the church.
Like human beings, a university department can also have a biography. It has a life entrenched in real experiences and is subjected to the same socio-political realities as people. This article briefly tells the life story of one such department, that of the Department of Old Testament at the University of Pretoria. It describes the Department's academic endeavours, and of the scholars who devoted their lives to the pursuit of Old Testament scholarship and the teaching of theological students from their first year to doctorate level. Over the years the Department had to adjust and re-adjust, but in the end it survived all kinds of pressures and established its place both here and abroad. One of the reasons for its endurance and survival has been the commitment of the members of the Department to cutting-edge research, sound scholarship and excellent teaching. This story is told here by focusing on the physical contexts in which the Department had to exist, and then on the scholars who made things happen.
Keywords: Pentateuch; psalms; structural analysis; historical understanding; myth
Full text available only in PDF format.
REFERENCES
Aalders, G.Ch., 1952, Oud-Testamentische kanoniek, Kok, Kampen. [ Links ]
Albertz, R., 1992, Religionsgeschichte Israels in alttestamentlicher Zeit, vol. 1 & 2, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen. [ Links ]
Ankersmit, F., 1990, De Navel van de Geschiedenis, Historische Uitgeverij, Groningen. [ Links ]
Ankersmit, F., 1993, De historische ervaring, Historische Uitgeverij, Groningen. [ Links ]
Ankersmit, F., 2007, De sublieme historische ervaring, Historische Uitgeverij, Groningen. [ Links ]
Barth, K., 1962, Anselm. Fides quaerens intellectum, The World Publishing Company, Cleveland. [ Links ]
Barth, K., 1975, Die Protestantische Theologie im 19. Jahrhundert, Siebenstern Taschenbuch Verlag, Hamburg. [ Links ]
Berlejung, A., 2009, 'Geschichte und Religionsgeschichte des Antiken Israel', in A. Berlejung & K. Schmid (Hrsg), Grundinformation Altes Testament, pp. 59-192, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen. [ Links ]
Collingwood, R.G., 1994, The idea of history, Oxford University Press, Oxford. [ Links ]
Coyle, J.K., 2006, 'Particularities of Christianity in Roman Africa', Studia Patrística XXXIX, 13-26. [ Links ]
De Wit, H., 2008, 'Exegesis and contextuality: Happy marriage, divorce or living (apart) together?' in H. de Wit, & G.O. West (eds.), African and European readers of the Bible in dialogue, pp. 3-30, Brill, Leiden. [ Links ]
Degenaar, J., 1993, Die konsep van die intellektueel, in A. van Niekerk & W. Esterhuyse (eds.), Intellektueel in konteks, pp. 45-64, RGN, Pretoria. [ Links ]
Deist, F.E., 1986, 'Johannes du Plessis en die belydenisskrifte', Africa Journal of Evangelical Theology, 19, 36-65. [ Links ]
Derrida, J., 1995, Points Stanford University Press, Stanford. [ Links ]
Derrida, J., 1997, Limited Inc., Northwestern University Press, Evanston. [ Links ]
Du Plessis, J., 1926, 'De Inspiratie van de Schrift', Historische Zeitschrift 4, 80-87, 100-106. [ Links ]
Du Plessis, J., 1927, 'Feit en Theorie in 't Inspiratiebegrip', Historische Zeitschrift 5, 23-26. [ Links ]
Du Preez, A.B., 1933, Die dualistiese inspirasieleer, W.D. Meinema, Delft. [ Links ]
Figal, G., 2002, 'The doing of the thing itself: Gadamer's hermeneutic ontology of language', in R.J. Dostal (ed.), The Cambridge companion to Gadamer, pp. 102-125, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. [ Links ]
Gadamer, H.-G., 1957, 'Was ist Wahrheit?', in Gesammelte Werke, vol. 2, pp. 44-56, J.C.B. Mohr, Tübingen. [ Links ]
Gadamer, H.-G., 1970, 'Sprache und Hermeneutik', in Gesammelte Werke, vol. 2, pp. 184-198, J.C.B. Mohr, Tübingen. [ Links ]
Gadamer, H.-G., 1985, 'Grenzen der Sprache', in Gesammelte Werke, vol. 8, pp. 350-361, J.C.B. Mohr, Tübingen. [ Links ]
Gadamer, H.-G., 1990, Wahrheit und Methode, JCB Mohr, Tübingen. [ Links ]
Gertz, J.C., 2009, 'Die literatur des Alten Testaments', in A. Berlejung & K. Schmid (Hrsg), Grundinformation Altes Testament, pp. 193-311, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen. [ Links ]
Goertz, H.-J., 2008, 'Scriptural interpretation among radical reformers', in M. Sœbe (ed.), Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. The history of its beginnings, vol. 2, pp. 576-601, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen. [ Links ]
Groenewald, A., 2003, Psalm 69: Its structure, redaction and composition, Lit-Verlag, Munster. [ Links ]
Groenewald, A., 2004, 'Cult-critical motif in Psalm 69.32 - does it portray an anti-cultic stance?' in D.J. Human & C.J.A. Vos (eds.), Psalms and liturgy, pp. 62-72, T&T Clark, London. [ Links ]
Groenewald, A., 2005, 'Synchrony and/or diachrony: Is there a way out of the methodological labyrinth?' in E. Otto & J.H. le Roux (eds.), A critical study of the Pentateuch: An encounter between Europe and Africa, pp. 50-62, Lit, Munster. [ Links ]
Groenewald, A., 2007a, 'From myth to theological language', in D.J. Human (ed.), Psalms and mythology, pp. 9-25, T&T Clark, New York. [ Links ]
Groenewald, A., 2007b, 'Changing paradigms: Old Testament scholarship between synchrony and diachrony', in J.H. le Roux & E. Otto (eds.), South African perspectives on the Pentateuch between synchrony and diachrony, pp. 108-123, T&T Clark, New York. [ Links ]
Groenewald, E.P., 1932, Koinonia by Paulus, Meinema, Delft. [ Links ]
Grondin, J., 1994, Der Sinn für Hermeneutik, JCB Mohr, Tübingen. [ Links ]
Grondin, J., 1995, Sources of hermeneutics, State University of New York, Albany. [ Links ]
Grondin, J., 2000. Einführung zu Gadamer. Tübingen: J C B Mohr. [ Links ]
Grondin, J., 2001a, Der Sinn für Hermeneutik, Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, Darmstadt. [ Links ]
Grondin, J., 2001b, Einführung in die Philosophische Hermeneutik, Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, Darmstadt. [ Links ]
Grondin, J., 2001c, Von Heidegger zu Gadamer, Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, Darmstadt. [ Links ]
Grondin, J., 2002, 'Gadamer's basic understanding of understanding', in R.J. Dostal (ed.), The Cambridge companion to Gadamer, pp. 36-51, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. [ Links ]
Körtner, H.J., 2006, Einführung in die theologische Hermeneutik, Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, Darmstadt. [ Links ]
Heidegger, M., 1998, Zijn en tijd, SUN, Nijmegen. [ Links ]
Hobbs, R.G., 2008, 'Pluriformity of early Reformation scriptural interpretation', in M. Sœbe (ed.), Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. The history of its beginnings, vol. 2, pp. 452-511, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen. [ Links ]
Human, D.J., 2004, 'Psalm 136: A liturgy with reference to creation and history', in D. Human & C.J.A. Vos (eds.), Psalms and liturgy, pp. 73-88, T&T Clark, London. [ Links ]
Human, D.J., 2005, 'Africa in need of an Exodus', in E. Otto & J.H. le Roux (eds.), A critical study of the Pentateuch: An encounter between Europe and Africa, pp. 94-97, Lit, Munster. [ Links ]
Human, D.J., 2007, 'Psalm 93: Yahweh robed in majesty', in D.J. Human (ed.), Psalms and liturgy, pp. 147-169, T&T Clark, London. [ Links ]
Human, J.J., 2006, 'n Lewe met boeke, Human & Rousseau, Cape Town. [ Links ]
Kaiser, O., 2003, Der Gott des Alten Testment, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen. [ Links ]
Kearney, R., 1989, Modern movements in European philosophy, University Press, Manchester. [ Links ]
Klopper, F., 2008, 'Quo vadis, feminist scholarship? Reflections from the threshold between African and European biblical exegesis', in H. de Wit & G.O. West (eds.), African and European readers of the Bible in dialogue, pp. 183-193, Brill, Leiden. [ Links ]
Körtner, H.J., 2006, Einführung in die theologische Hermeneutik, Darmstadt, WBG. [ Links ]
Kraus, H.-J., 1969, Geschichte der historisch-kritischen Erforschung des Alten Testaments, Neukirchener Verlag, Neukirchen. [ Links ]
Kritzinger, J.H., 1935, Die profesie van Joël, De Bussy, Amsterdam. [ Links ]
Kritzinger, J.H., 1939, Die skeppingsdae in Genesis, Van Schaik, Pretoria. [ Links ]
Kritzinger, J.H., 1963, 'Die stand van die Ou Testament aan ons fakulteit gedurende die afgelope kwarteeu', NGTT 4, 77-85. [ Links ]
Kritzinger, J.H., 1965, 'Outobiografie', Deo Gloria, 2-5. [ Links ]
Le Roux, J.H., 1992, 'Op die breuklyn', NGTT 33/3, 291-300. [ Links ]
Le Roux, J.H., 1993, A story of two ways, Verba Vitae, Pretoria. [ Links ]
Le Roux, J.H., 1994, 'A brief description of an intellectual journey: On Willem Vorster's quest for understanding', Neotestamentica 28/3, 1-32. [ Links ]
Le Roux, J.H., 1997, 'Our historical heritage', Old Testament Essays 10/3, 401-423. [ Links ]
Le Roux, J.H., 2004, 'Augustine, Gadamer and the Psalms', in D.J. Human & C.J.A. Vos (eds.), Psalms and liturgy, pp. 123-130, T&T Clark, New York. [ Links ]
Le Roux, J.H., 2005, 'Pro Pent. A project for the study of the Pentateuch in South Africa', in E. Otto & J.H. le Roux (eds.), A critical study of the Pentateuch: An encounter between Europe and Africa, pp. 1-21, Lit, Munster. [ Links ]
Le Roux, J.H., 2007, 'Setting the scene: The battle of the signs', in J.H. le Roux & E. Otto (eds.), South African perspectives on the Pentateuch between synchrony and diachrony, pp. 1-18, T&T Clark, New York. [ Links ]
Le Roux, J.H., 2008a, 'Africa and the future of our scholarly past', in H. de Wit & G.O. West (eds.), African and European readers of the Bible in dialogue, pp. 307-323, Brill, Leiden. [ Links ]
Le Roux, J.H., 2008b, 'Confrontation with the African 'other': A response', in H. de Wit & G.O. West (eds.), African and European readers of the Bible in dialogue, pp. 140-142, Brill, Leiden. [ Links ]
Loader, J.A., 1978, 'Gedagtes oor gekontroleerde eksegese', HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 34, 1-40. [ Links ]
Oftestad, T., 2008, 'Further developments of reformation hermeneutics', in M. Sœbe (ed.), Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. The history of its beginnings, vol. 2, pp. 602-616, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen. [ Links ]
Opitz, P., 2008, 'The exegetical and hermeneutical work of John Oecolampaius, Huldrych Zwingli and John Calvin', in M. Sœbe (ed.), Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. The history of its beginnings, vol. 2, pp. 407-451, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen. [ Links ]
Otto, E., 1994, Theologische Ethik des Alten Testaments, Verlag W. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart. [ Links ]
Otto, E., 1995, 'Kritik der Pentateuchkomposition', ThR, 60, 163-191. [ Links ]
Otto, E., 1996, 'Neuere Einleitungen in den Pentateuchkritik', Theologische Rundschau, 61, 332-341. [ Links ]
Otto, E., 1997, 'Das Deuteronomium als archimedischer Punkt in der Pentateuchkritik', in M. Vervenne & J. Lust (eds.), Deuteronomy and Deuteronomic literature, pp. 321-339, Peeters, Leuven. [ Links ]
Otto, E., 1998, 'Die Ursprünge der Bundestheologie im Alten Testament und im Alten Orient', ZAR 4, 1-84. [ Links ]
Otto, E., 1999a, Das Deuteronomium, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin. [ Links ]
Otto, E., 1999b, 'Deuteronomium', Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart, 4(II), 693-696. [ Links ]
Otto, E., 1999c, 'Ethik III. Biblisch, I. AT', Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart, 4(II), 1603-1606. [ Links ]
Otto, E., 2000a, Das Deuteronomium im Pentateuch und Hexateuch, J.C.B. Mohr, Tübingen. [ Links ]
Otto, E., 2000b, 'Mose und das Gesetz. Die Mose-figur als Gegenentwurf Politischer Theologie zur neuassyrischen Königsideologie im 7. Jh. v. Chr.', in E. Otto (ed.), Mose, pp. 43-83, Katholisches Bibelwerk GmbH, Stuttgart. [ Links ]
Otto, E., 2002, Gottes Recht als Menschenrecht. Rechts- und literaturhistorische Studien zum Deuteronomium, BZAR 2, Otto Harrossowitz, Wiesbaden. [ Links ]
Otto, E., 2005, 'The Pentateuch between synchrony and diachrony', in E. Otto & J.H. le Roux (eds.), A critical study of the Pentateuch: An Encounter Between Europe and Africa, pp. 22-49, Lit, Munster. [ Links ]
Otto, E., 2007a, 'A hidden truth behind the text or the truth of the text: At a turning point in biblical scholarship two hundred years after De Wette's Dissertation Critico-Exegetica', in J.H. le Roux & E. Otto (eds.), South African perspectives on the Pentateuch between synchrony and diachrony, pp. 19-28, T&T Clark, New York. [ Links ]
Otto, E., 2007b, 'The pivotal meaning of Pentateuch research for a history of Israelite and Jewish religion and society', in J.H. le Roux & E. Otto (eds.), South African perspectives on the Pentateuch between synchrony and diachrony, pp. 29-53, T&T Clark, New York. [ Links ]
Otto, E., 2007c, 'Myth and Hebrew ethics in the Psalms', in D.J. Human (ed.), Psalms and mythology, pp. 26-37, T&T Clark, New York. [ Links ]
Pannenberg, W.H., 1970, Basic questions in theology, vol. 1, Hutchinson, London. [ Links ]
Popper, K., 1968, The logic of scientific discovery, Hutchinson, London. [ Links ]
Prinsloo, W.S., 1979, 'Die metodiek van eksegese: 'n diskussie', Nederduits Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif 20(3), 201-210. [ Links ]
Prinsloo, W. S., 1980, 'The theology of the book of Ruth', Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 30, 331. [ Links ]
Prinsloo, W.S., 1981, 'Isaiah 14:12-15: Humiliation, hubris, humiliation', Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 93, 432-433. [ Links ]
Prinsloo, W. S., 1983, 'Die boek Joël: Verleentheid of geleentheid?', Nederduits Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif 24(3), 255-256. [ Links ]
Prinsloo, W.S., 1984, Van kateder tot kansel, N.G. Kerkboekhandel, Pretoria. [ Links ]
Prinsloo, W.S., 1985, The theology of the book of Joel, De Gruyter, Berlin. [ Links ]
Prinsloo, W.S., 1987, Die Ou Testament, 'n verouderde boek? Enkele gedagtes na aanleiding van Psalm 15, University of Pretoria, Pretoria. [ Links ]
Prinsloo, W.S., 1988, 'Die histories-kritiese metode(s) in perspektief', Skrif en Kerk 9(2), 196-209. [ Links ]
Prinsloo, W.S., 1991, Die psalms leef, N.G. Kerkboekhandel, Pretoria. [ Links ]
Prinsloo, W.S., 1992, 'The unity of the book of Joel', Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 104(1), 66-81. [ Links ]
Prinsloo, W.S., 2000, 'Psalm 93: Jahwe is van altyd af koning oor alles en almal', in D.J. Human (ed.), Die lof van my God solank ek lewe: Verklaring van aantal psalms deur WS Prinsloo, pp. 141-154, Medpharm Publikasies, Pretoria. [ Links ]
Reventlow, H.G., 1997, Epochen der Bibelauslegung. Renaissance, Reformation, Humanismus, vol. 3, C.H. Beck, München. [ Links ]
Rossouw, H., 1993, Universiteit, wetenskap en kultuur, Tafelberg, Cape Town. [ Links ]
Snoek, H., 2008, 'Key concepts in the dialogue between African and European biblical scholars', in H. de Wit & G.O. West (eds.), African and European readers of the Bible in dialogue, pp. 85-106, Brill, Leiden. [ Links ]
Steyn, J.C., 2008, Sonkyker. Afrikaner in die verkeerde eeu, Tafelberg, Cape Town. [ Links ]
Terblanche, H.O., 1998, Nederland en die Afrikaner: Gesprek oor apartheid, University of Port Elizabeth, Port Elizabeth. [ Links ]
Thiselton, A.C., 1980, The two horizons, Pater Noster, Exeter. [ Links ]
Van Huyssteen, W., 1986, Teologie as kritiese geloofsverantwoording, RGN, Pretoria. [ Links ]
Van Niekerk, A., 1993a, 'Ter inleiding', in H. Rossouw (ed.), Universiteit, wetenskap en kultuur, pp. 1-10, Tafelberg, Cape Town. [ Links ]
Van Niekerk, A., 1993b, 'Voorwoord', in A. van Niekerk & W. Esterhuyse (eds.), Intellektueel in konteks, pp. i-iv, RGN, Pretoria. [ Links ]
Van Niekerk, A., 1993c, 'Wetenskap, kultuur en universiteit in die denke van Hennie Rossouw', in A. van Niekerk & W. Esterhuyse (eds.), Intellektueel in konteks, pp. 1-43, RGN, Pretoria. [ Links ]
Van Zyl, A.H., 1960, The Moabites, Brill, Leiden. [ Links ]
Van Zyl, A.H., 1967, Moses by die brandende braambos, Universiteit van Pretoria, Pretoria. [ Links ]
Van Zyl, A.H., 1970, 'Die akademiese vorming van die bedienaar van die Woord', Nederduits Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif 11, 180-189. [ Links ]
Van Zyl, A.H., 1972a, 'Die mens: Selfstandige werker of medewerker van God?' Nederduits Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif 13, 65-76. [ Links ]
Van Zyl, A.H., 1972b, 'Literêre vorme en eksegese', Nederduits Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif 13, 149-159. [ Links ]
Van Zyl, A.H., 1973, 'Redaksiegeskiedenis en prediking', Nederduits Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif 14, 114-125. [ Links ]
Van Zyl, A.H., 1975, 'Gods Woord in mensetaal', vol. 1, Butterworths, Durban. [ Links ]
Van Zyl, A.H., 1983, Die gesag van die Ou Testament, N.G. Kerk-boekhandel, Pretoria. [ Links ]
Van Zyl, A.H., 1987, Hy wat sou kom. Messiaanse prediking in die Ou Testament, N.G. Kerk-boekhandel, Pretoria. [ Links ]
Von Rad, G., 1971, 'Das Formgeschichtliche Problem des Hexateuch', in Gesammelte Studien zum Alten Testament, pp. 9-86, Chr Kaiser, München. [ Links ]
Von Rad, G., 1973, 'Offene Fragen im Umkreis einer Theologie des AltenTestament', in Gesammelte Studien zum Alten Testament, pp. 289-312, Chr Kaiser, München. [ Links ]
Vorster, W.S., 1971, 'Moderne linguïstiek en Bybelnavorsing', Africa Journal of Evangelical Theology 4, 139-148. [ Links ]
Welker, M., 2008, 'Sola Scriptura. Die Autorität der Bibel in pluralistischen Umgebungen', in B. Hamm & M. Welker (Hrsg.), Die Reformation. Potentiale der Freiheit, pp. 91-120, Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen. [ Links ]
West, G., 2008, 'Interrogating the comparative paradigm in African biblical scholarship', in H. de Wit & G.O. West (eds.), African and European readers of the Bible in dialogue, pp. 37-64, Brill, Leiden. [ Links ]
Zenger, E., 2008, 'Die Bücher der Tora/des Pentateuch', in E. Zenger (Hrsg), Einleitung in das Alte Testament, pp. 60-187, Kohlhammer, Stuttgart. [ Links ]
Correspondence:
Jurie le Roux
Department of Old Testament
University of Pretoria
Pretoria, 0001
South Africa
E-mail: jleroux1@mweb.co.za
Received: 21 Aug. 2009
Accepted: 31 Aug. 2009
Published: 17 Dec. 2009