Home Prof. Dr. Jacobus (Kobus) Kok

Prof. Dr. Jacobus (Kobus) Kok

Prof. Dr. Jacobus (Kobus) Kok

Professor and Department Chair of New Testament

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w: http://up-za.academia.edu/KobusKok

Education, degrees
  • 2017: Philosophiae Doctor, Theology: Religious Studies and Missiology, University of Pretoria
  • 2008: Philosophiae Doctor, Theology: New Testament Studies, University of Pretoria
  • 2004: Magister Theologiae, Theology: New Testament Studies, University of Pretoria
  • 2003: Magister Divinitatis, Theology, University of Pretoria
  • 2001: Baccalaureus Theologiae, Theology, University of Pretoria
Academic positions and teaching experience
  • 2018-present: Professor Extraordinarius (pro bono) and NRF B3 scholar, University of Pretoria
  • 2018-present: Professor/Hoogleraar, ETF Leuven
  • 2016-present: Chairman of the Department of New Testament, ETF Leuven
  • 2015-2018: Associate Professor, ETF Leuven
  • 2012-2015: Associate Professor, University of Pretoria
  • 2012: Guest/Research Professor at the Humboldt University, Berlin
  • 2010-2015: Guest/Research Professor at Radboud University, Nijmegen
  • 2009-2011: Senior Lecturer, University of Pretoria
Academic memberships
  • SNTS – Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas
  • SNTC – Studiosorum Novi Testamenti Conventus
  • EABS – European Association of Biblical Studies
  • NOSTER – Netherlands School for Advanced Studies in Theology and Religion
  • Selected as Executive Board Member of the New Testament Society of Southern Africa (2015-2018)
  • SBL – Society of Biblical Literature
  • NTWSA – New Testament Society of South Africa
  • DAAD – Deutsche Akademische Austausch Dienst Stipendium alumni
Selected Bibliography


Books

  • With Jermo van Nes and Jeremy Otten, eds. Let God Be True: Perspectives on Romans 3. Gorgias Biblical Studies 73. Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2023.
  • With Martin Webber and Jeremy Otten, eds. On Knowing God: Interdisciplinary Theological Perspectives. Gorgias Studies in Early Christianity and Patristics 80. Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2022.
  • With Martin Webber in collaboration with Jeremy Otten and Mark Paridaens, eds. Off the Beaten Path: A Festschrift in Honor of Gie Vleugels. Beiträge zum Verstehen der Bibel / Contributions to Understanding the Bible 48. Zürich: LIT Verlag, 2021.
  • With Martin Webber and Jermo van Nes, eds. Drawing and Transcending Boundaries in the New Testament and Early Christianity. Beiträge zum Verstehen der Bibel / Contributions to Understanding the Bible 38. Zürich: LIT Verlag, 2019.
  • With Steven C. van den Heuvel (eds.). Leading in a VUCA-World: Integrating Leadership, Discernment and Spirituality. Studies in Management Science. Cham: Springer, 2019.
  • Ja vir God, Nee vir die Kerk? [Yes to God, no to the Church?]. Carpe Diem Media, Vanderbijlpark, 2018.
  • Jacobus Kok et al. (eds.). Jan van der Watt Festschrift Dedication, In Luce Verbi 51, no. 3 (2017).
  • “Drawing and Transcending Boundaries.” Ph.D. Dissertation, Department Religious Studies and Missiology, University of Pretoria, 2017.
  • New Perspectives on Healing, Restoration and Reconciliation in John’s Gospel. Biblical Interpretation Series 146. Leiden: Brill, 2017.
  • With T. Nicklas, D. Roth, and C. Hays, eds. Sensitivity towards Outsiders: Exploring the dynamic relationship between mission and ethics in the New Testament and Early Christianity. WUNT II 364. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2014.
  • With J.A. Dunne, eds. Insiders versus Outsiders. Perspectives on Philosophy and Religious Thought 14. Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2014.
  • “Siekte en gebrokenheid teenoor genesing en restourasie in Johannes.” Ph.D. Dissertation, Department New Testament Studies, University of Pretoria, 2008.

Journal Articles and Book Chapters

  • “God’s Faithfulness in an Unfaithful World: An Analysis of Romans 3:1-4.” In Let God be True: Perspectives on Romans 3, edited by Jacobus (Kobus) Kok, Jermo van Nes, and Jeremy D. Otten, 21–57. Gorgias Biblical Studies 73. Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2023.
  • “Confronting the Cataracts of Whiteness to See the Invisible: Reflections on the Transmission and Reception of the Bible in Post-Apartheid South Africa.” Acta Theologica Supplementum 36 (2023): 145–63.
  • “The Dynamics of Exclusion and Inclusion in 1 Peter.” In Religiously Exclusive, Socially Inclusive? A Religious Response, edited by Bernhard Reitsma and Erika van Nes-Visscher, 115–130. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2023.
  • “Hope and Bridge-Building Leadership in a Post-COVID-19 Context: Insights from 1 Peter.” In Theological Perspectives on Re-imagining Leadership in Post-COVID-19 Africa, edited by Philip La G. du Toit and Alfred R. Brunsdon, 69–87. Theological and Religious Studies. Cape Town: AOSIS, 2023.
  • “The Implicit Influence of Kittel and Grosheide in the Shaping of Apartheid in South Africa? The Case of E.P. Groenewald.” In Auf dem Weg zu einer Biographie Gerhard Kittels (1888–1948), edited by Lukas Bormann and Arie W. Zwiep, 367–390. History of Biblical Exegesis 3. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2022.
  • “Knowing God: A Johannine Perspective.” In On Knowing God: Interdisciplinary Theological Perspectives, edited by Jacobus Kok, Martin Webber, and Jeremy Otten, 183–204. Gorgias Studies in Early Christianity and Patristics 80. Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2022.
  • With Seth van der Bijl. “Cosmology and Social Identity Complexity in 1 John.” In Neutestamentliche Kosmologien, edited by Gert J. Steyn, 191–215. Biblische Zeitschrift Supplements 4. Leiden: Brill, 2022.
  • “Was John’s Jesus Anti-Jewish and Anti-Semitic? Fresh Perspectives on John 8:44.” In Troubling Texts in the New Testament: Essays in Honour of Rob van Houwelingen, edited by Myriam Klinker-De Klerck, Arco den Heijer, and Jermo van Nes, 101–19. Contributions to Biblical Exegesis and Theology 113. Leuven: Peeters, 2022.
  • With Martin Webber. “The Vitality of Identity and Boundaries in the New Testament and Early Christianity: Past and Future Currents in New Testament Studies at ETF Leuven.” In The Vitality of Evangelical Theology: Celebrating ETF Leuven at 40, edited by Andreas J. Beck, Jos de Kock and Steven C. Van den Heuvel, 53–64. Leuven: Peeters, 2022.
  • “The Nexus between Power, Mission, and Implicit Ethics in 1 Thessalonians.”  In Power in the New Testament, edited by Pieter de Villiers and Annette Merz, 147–72. Contributions to Biblical Exegesis and Theology 107. Leuven: Peeters, 2021.
  • “Ewiges Leben und ewiger Tod im Johannesevangelium: Die Antwort auf die Todesfrage im Johannesevangelium.” In Kernthemen neutestamentlicher Theologie, edited by Armin D. Baum and Rob van Houwelingen, 153–68. TVG Lehrbücher. Gießen: Brunnen, 2021.
  • “A Decolonial Biblical Perspective on Jesus Inspired by Fanon and Biko.” HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 77, no. 1 (2021): a6926. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v77i1.6926.
  • With Ilse Swart. “A Social Identity Complexity Theory Reading of Philemon.” HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 77, no. 4 (2021): a6621. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v77i4.6621.
  • “Die herlewing van sekulêre spiritualiteit in Europa en die implikasie daarvan vir die NG Kerk in Suid-Afrika.” HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 77, no. 4 (2021): a6471. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v77i4.6471.
  • With Martin Webber and Mark Paridaens. “Creative Marginality off the Beaten Paths.” In Off The Beaten Path: A Festschrift in Honor of Gie Vleugels, edited by Jacobus Kok and Martin Webber in collaboration with Jeremy Otten and Mark Paridaens, 1–11. Beiträge zum Verstehen der Bibel / Contributions to Understanding the Bible 48. Zürich: Lit Verlag, 2021.
  • “Johannes as Ontmoetingsevangelie en Uitsluitingsevangelie.” In Off The Beaten Path: A Festschrift in Honor of Gie Vleugels, edited by Jacobus Kok and Martin Webber in collaboration with Jeremy Otten and Mark Paridaens, 84–93. Beiträge zum Verstehen der Bibel / Contributions to Understanding the Bible 48. Zürich: Lit Verlag, 2021.
  • “Mission, Missiology I. New Testament.” In Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception 19: Midrash and Aggadah – Mourning, 429–432. Berlin/Boston: de Gruyter, 2021.
  • With Martin Webber, “Early Christian Thinking on Hope.” In Historical and Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Hope, edited by Steven C. van den Heuvel, 25–46. Cham: Springer Open, 2020.
  • “Filemon: Een Inleiding.” In Kort maar krachtig: De boodschap van de Filemonbrief toen en nu, edited by Jermo van Nes, 12–23. Zoetermeer / Soest: Boekencentrum / Boekscout (bc•bs), 2020.
  • “John Chrysostom and ‘Knowing God as Debtor-Friend’: An Event-Hermeneutical Reading.” In Theology in an Age of Contingency, edited by Chris A. M. Hermans and Kobus Schoeman, 79–98. Zurich: LIT Verlag, 2019.
  • With Martin Webber, and Jermo van Nes. “Introduction.” In Drawing and Transcending Boundaries in the New Testament and Early Christianity, edited by Jacobus (Kobus) Kok, Martin Webber, and Jermo van Nes, 1–6. Beiträge zum Verstehen der Bibel / Contributions to Understanding the Bible 38. Zurich: LIT Verlag, 2019.
  • With Anne-Catherine Pardon, “The influence of Gerhard Kittel on E.P. Groenewald: The shaping of an Apartheid Theologian?” In Drawing and Transcending Boundaries in the New Testament and Early Christianity, edited by Jacobus (Kobus) Kok, Martin Webber, and Jermo van Nes, 153–177. Beiträge zum Verstehen der Bibel / Contributions to Understanding the Bible 38. Zurich: LIT Verlag, 2019.
  • “Leven en dood in het licht van het eeuwigheid.” In Theologie van het Nieuwe Testament in twintig thema’s, edited by Armin D. Baum and Rob van Houwelingen, 185–201. Utrecht: KokBoekencentrum, 2019.
  • With Steven van den Heuvel. “Preface.” In Leading in a VUCA World: Integrating Leadership, Spirituality, and Discernment, edited by Steven C. van den Heuvel and Jacobus (Kobus) Kok, v-xii. Contributions to Management Science. Cham: Springer, 2019.
  • With Barney Jordaan. “Metanarraphors We Lead and Mediate by: Insights from Cognitive Metaphor Theory in the Context of Mediation in a VUCA World.” In Leading in a VUCA World: Integrating Leadership, Spirituality, and Discernment, edited by Steven C. van den Heuvel and Jacobus (Kobus) Kok, 1–26. Contributions to Management Science. Cham: Springer, 2019.
  • “No Shades of Grey? Jesus and the Creation of Liminal Identity and Space as Locus of God’s Presence: An Essay in Honour of Halvor Moxnes.” In The Bible and Sociological Contours. Some South African Perspectives. Festschrift for Professor Halvor Moxnes, edited by Zorodzai Dube, Loreen Maseno-Ouma, and Elia Shabani Mligo, 111–25. Oxford: Peter Lang, 2018.
  • With Jack Barentsen. “Leadership, (Super)Diversity and Identity Construction.” In Increasing Diversity: Loss of Control or Adaptive Identity Construction, edited by Jack Barentsen, Volker Kessler, and Steven C. van den Heuvel, 3-18. Christian Perspectives on Leadership and Social Ethics 5. Leuven: Peeters, 2018.
  • With J. Dunne. “Participation in Christ and Missional Dynamics in Galatians.” In Participation, Justification and Conversion, edited by Athanasios Despotis, 59–88. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament II 442. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2017.
  • With Bastiaan A. de Winter. “What’s in the Name? The conundrum of ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τούτῳ versus ἐν τῷ μέρει τούτῳ? A Text-Critical Investigation of 1 Peter 4:16 and Its Implication for the Afrikaans-Greek Interlinear Translation.” In die Skriflig 51, no. 3 (2017): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v51i3.2103
  • “Why (Suffering) Women Matter for the Heart of Transformative Missional Theology Perspectives on Empowered Women and Mission in the New Testament and Early Christianity.” HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 72, no. 4 (2016): 1–9.
  • With W.P. Maqoma. “The Imago Dei Weltanschauung as Narrative Motif within the Corinthian Correspondence.” Verbum et Ecclesia 37, no. 1 (2016): 1–9.
  • “The plenipotentiary idea as Leitmotiv in John’s Gospel.” In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi 49, No 2 (2015), 9 pages. doi: 10.4102/ids.v49i2.1923.
  • “The radicality of early Christian Oikodome: A theology that edifies insiders and Outsiders.” Verbum et Ecclesia; Vol 36, No 3 (2015), 12 pages. doi: 10.4102/ve.v36i3.1441.
  • “Christology in the Making: The problem of Worshiping and Honoring Angels in Colossians.” In: Marius Nel, Jan G. van der Watt, Fika J. van Rensburg (eds.). The New Testament in the Graeco-Roman World: Articles in Honor of Abe Malherbe. Theology in Africa 4. Münster: LIT Verlag, 2015, 145-170.
  • With D.T. Roth. “Sensitivity to Outsiders and the dynamic relationship between mission and ethos.” In: T. Nicklas, D. Roth, and C. Hays (eds.). Sensitivity towards Outsiders: Exploring the dynamic relationship between mission and ethics in the New Testament and Early Christianity. WUNT II 364. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2014, 11-26.
  • “Cheating” and “Killing” In: R.L. Brawley (ed.). Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Ethics. Oxford/New York: Oxford University Press, 2014.
  • “Social identity complexity theory as heuristic tool in New Testament Studies.” HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 70/1 (2014), Art. #2708, 9 pages. dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v70i1.2708
  • “Mission and Ethics in 1 Corinthians.” In: J. Kok and J.A. Dunne (eds.). Insiders versus Outsiders. Piscataway: Gorgias Press, 2014.
  • “Mission and Ethics in 1 Galatians.” In: J. Kok and J.A. Dunne (eds.). Insiders versus Outsiders. Piscataway: Gorgias Press, 2014.
  • “The dynamic relationship between Mission and Ethics.” In: J. Kok and J.A. Dunne (eds.). Insiders versus Outsiders. Piscataway: Gorgias Press, 2014.
  • “‘Earth’ in the New Testament.” In: D.C. Allison, Jr., e.a. (eds.). Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception. Vol. 7. Berlin: De Gruyter, 2013.
  • “A comparison between James and Philodemus on moral exhortation, communal confession and correctio fraterna, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 69/1 (2013), Art. #1927, 8 pp.  dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v69i1.1927.
  • “‘Confession’ the New Testament.” In: D.C. Allison, Jr., e.a. (eds.). Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception. Vol. 5. Berlin: De Gruyter, 2012.
  • “Aussendung / Mission / Apostel.” In: S. Alkier (ed.). Wissenschaftliches Bibellexikon. Neutestamentlicher Teil (WiBilex). Berlin 2012.
  • “Jezus in ontwikkeling”, Schrift 44/6 (2012), Schrift 264 Lucas.
  • “Etiek van sending as anti-Kyriargale bemagtiging en liefdesdiens: ‘n fokus op 1 Tessalonisense en mag of bemagtiging.” HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 68/1 (2012), Art. #1170, 11 pages. dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v68i1.1170.
  • “A theology of reconciliation in contexts of conflict and change.” Churchman 126/3 (2012), 227-246.
  • “The Healing of the Blind man in John.” Journal of Early Christian History 2/2 (2012), 36-62.
  • “Mission and Ethis in 1 Corintians: Reconciliation, corporate solidarity and other-regard as missional strategy in the Corinthian correspondence.” HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 68/1 (2012), Art. #1222, 11 pp. dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v68i1.1222.
  • With J.G. van der Watt. “Violence in a Gospel of love.” In G.R. de Villiers and J.W. van Henten (eds). Coping with violence in the New Testament.  Studies in Theology and Religion 16. Brill: Leiden, 2012, 151-184.
  • “Mission and Ethics in Galatians.” HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 67/1 (2011), Art. #896, 10 pages. dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v67i1.896.
  • “The chaos of the cross as the fractal of life: the birth of the post resurrection, missional dimension in John.” Neotestamenica 45/1 (2011), 130-145.
  • “Die slag van Armageddon.” In H. Stander (ed.). Die Eindtyd. Vanderbijlpark: Carpe Diem, 2011, 217-227.
  • With M. Zimmermann, M. “‘Arm’ und ‘reich’ sind immer die anderen. Kontextuelle Kindertheologie am Beispiel des Gleichnisses ‘Vom reichen Mann und armen Lazarus’ (Lk 16, 19-31).” In: A. Bucher (ed.). Jahrbuch für Kindertheologie (JaBuKi). Stuttgart: Calwer Verlag, 2010, 119-131.
  • “Die rol van die etiek in die prediking: Nuwe navorsing in Nuwe Testamentiese etiek en die implikasie daarvan vir die prediking.” Verbum et Ecclesia 31/1 (2010), Art. #375, 10 pp. dx.doi.org/10.4102/ve.v3lil.375.
  • “The new perspective(s) on Paul and its implication for ethics and mission.” Acta Patristica et Byzantina, 21/1 (2010), 3-17.
  • “Die Irrglaube in Kolosse: Aanbidding van of met engele in Kolossense 2:18?” HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 66/1 (2010), Art. #765, 7 pages. dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v66i1.765.
  • With C.J.P. Niemandt. “(Re) discovering a missional-incarnational ethos.” HTS Teologiese  Studies/Theological Studies 65(1), Art. #274, 7 pages.  dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v65i1.274
  • “Opstanding van Jesus as kulminerende genesings-handeling in Johannes.” Hervormde Teologiese Studies 64/4 (2008), 1813-1835.
  • With J.G. van der Watt. “Geweld in ‘n evangelie van liefde: die Evangelie van Johannes se perspektief op geweld teen Jesus en sy dissipels.” Hervormde Teologiese Studies 64/3 (2008), 1793-1812.
  • With J.G. van der Watt. “Jesus en sy dissipels se reaksie op geweld in die Johannesevangelie.” Hervormde Teologiese Studies 64/3 (2008), 1813-1835.