ETF Colloquium Promotions Feature Christology, Eschatology and Worship

5 September 2017

ETF Colloquium Promotions Feature Christology, Eschatology and Worship

LEUVEN, 5 September 2017 – ETF Leuven holds its 32nd doctoral colloquium this week. The program of this annual event includes the promotions of historical theologian Dudley Brown (USA), systematic theologian Raymond Hausoul (BE) and New Testament scholar Andrew Messmer (ES).

At present, forty-one international students from twelve different nationalities (Belarus, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Ukraine, Singapore, Syria, Switzerland, USA) are working on doctorates at ETF. The annual highlight of the PhD program is its colloquium when all doctoral staff and students come together at ETF’s campus for feedback on research projects, graduations, and various activities to stimulate research.

The Christology of Severian of Gabala
On 5 September, Dudley E. Brown (USA) will defend his thesis, ‘The Christology of Severian of Gabala: In What Sense Can He Be Called  Antiochene?’ The dissertation presents what it means to be Antiochene (geography, Christology, and exegesis) and then considers whether Severian fits into that category. Of the three criteria, he focuses on the Christology of Severian, and studies it with a focus on twelve of his representative homilies and, more importantly, on his rarely studied exegetical fragments on the Pauline epistles found in the catenae. Severian’s Christology is compared to that of John Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia, two better known ‘Antiochians’. The dissertation arrives at the conclusion that, from the perspective of Christology, Severian should not be called Antiochene. His promoters are Prof. Dr. Donald Fairbairn and Prof. Dr. Martin Webber.

Dudley BrownSince 2009, Brown has been on staff at Christ Community Church in Greeley, Colorado. From there he travels regularly, directing and teaching in a leadership training program for pastors in South America and Africa who have no other opportunity for more traditional biblical training. Prior to holding this position, he was a missionary pastor and theological educator in Bucharest, Romania. He is married to Corina and has two children.

New Heaven and New Earth
On 5 September, Raymond R. Hausoul (B) will defend his thesis: ‘De nieuwe hemel en de nieuwe aarde. Een interdisciplinaire vergelijking tussen Karl Rahner, Jürgen Moltmann en Gregory Beale’ (The New Heaven and the New Earth. An Interdisciplinary Comparison between Karl Rahner, Jürgen Moltmann, and Gregory Beale). Today, there is a growing appreciation for conversations that bring different research fields together. In his dissertation, Hausoul compares insights from experts in Systematic Theology (ST) and Biblical Theology (BT) in the construction of theological discourse on the new heaven and the new earth. Through his hermeneutical and substantive investigations, he reveals how BT and ST complement, challenge and encourage each other on micro- and macro-level. Hausoul brings methodical observations and presuppositions to the fore, demonstrates how such dialogue benefits both disciplines and offers fresh perspectives on the questions of continuity and discontinuity between this creation and the new creation. Promotors are Prof. Dr. J. Hoek and Prof. Dr. M.J. Paul.

Raymond HausoulRaymond R. Hausoul is a minister at the Evangelical Church in Ypres (Belgium) and father of two sons. He is also involved as a lecturer at various schools, such as IBV Leuven, ETS Vlaanderen, and C7 Leuven.

 

 

Maranatha
On 7 September Andrew Messmer (USA) will defend his thesis: ‘Maranatha (1 Corinthians 16.22): Linguistic, Historical, and Literary-Contextual Issues.’ According to Messmer maranatha is important for Christian studies since it provides us with a glimpse into earliest Christian theology and practice. The majority of modern interpreters translate maranatha as “Our Lord, come!” Messmer however claims that Aramaic morphology, Greek manuscripts, and early interpreters actually support the translation “Our Lord has come.” It is likely that maranatha was used in early Christian liturgy, e.g. during Eucharistic prayers and possibly incorporated into song lyrics. Also, being that maranatha forms part of Paul’s letter closing, it recapitulates the major theme of the death of Christ found throughout the letter.  Promotor is Prof. Dr. M.I. Webber.

Andrew MessmerAndrew Messmer and his wife Lindsey have three children, Sofía, Lucas, and Zoe. They live in Madrid (Spain) where he serves in the areas of church planting and theological education.

 

 

Farewell address of Prof Dr Johannes Hofmeyr
On 5 September, Prof. Dr. Johannes Hofmeyr will give his farewell address: ‘Johannes Hoornbeeck’s Views on Historical Theology, Mission and Ecumenism and Their Relevance for Today.’ Appointed in 2008, the South African Hofmeyr has served ETF Leuven as Guest Professor in Historical Theology for almost a decade. Previously Hofmeyr was professor of Church History in the University of South Africa (13 years) and the University of Pretoria (17 years). Currently he is Vice Chancellor and Rector of the young Nkhoma Christian University in Malawi.

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