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21 December 2020 | Story Eugene Seegers | Photo Sonia Small
Prof Fanie Snyman, retired Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion, is the first South African to publish a volume in the respected Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries series, which deals with the Bible books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah.

Against the backdrop of the Faculty of Theology and Religion’s 40th anniversary, Prof Fanie Snyman, retired Dean and research associate, has recently published a commentary in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries series based in Cambridge, England, on the prophetic books Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah of the Old Testament. What makes his book special is that Prof Snyman is the first and for the foreseeable future the only South African Old Testament scholar to be commissioned to publish in this distinguished commentary series. This commentary series is widely read and consulted in the English-speaking scholarly communities of Africa, Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand, the USA, and many European countries.

In a virtual ‘sit-down’ with Prof Fanie, he explained how a research volume of this type is usually compiled: It starts with a verse-by-verse analysis of the Bible books, looking at the literary aspects of how the passage was written as well as considering its historical, social, and cultural background. This is done to obtain a better overall understanding of the text. Secondly, a volume of commentary is not merely regurgitating knowledge that has already been generated. Prof Fanie says that “it must deliver new, fresh perspectives on the current state of research on these books. What can I contribute to the understanding of these writings?” To accomplish this, he had to pore over stacks of research on these prophetic works to be as current as possible with modern research.

First contributor from Africa

Dr David Firth, the series editor, says: “Over the nearly sixty-year history of the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, we have not previously had any contributors from Africa. That has now been put right with the release of Prof SD Snyman’s new volume on Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. Prof Snyman has brought together his expertise on the prophetic literature of the Old Testament and theological awareness to present a fresh work on these often-neglected books. Through his careful attention to how these books functioned in their ancient setting and mastery of the secondary literature, he is also able to point to the enduring importance of each of these books for contemporary readers. As such, he has admirably fulfilled the brief for the series and produced a volume that will serve a new generation who come to these books.”

Prof Fanie affirms that the burning issues raised in each of these books regarding situations in ancient Israel often mimic comparable issues in our modern society. For example, he underscores how Nahum brings the misuse of political power to the fore, a current and topical point of contention. Prof Snyman says: “My aim was to create a vertical theological perspective of that historical situation against the backdrop of contemporary issues. I believe that these texts have a relevance for us and upon us today.”

Other international works

This book is the third one published internationally by Prof Snyman. In 2012, he published a book on the prophetic literature of the Old Testament together with a Dutch colleague in the USA. In 2015, he published a commentary on the book of Malachi in Europe. This book was awarded the UFS Book Prize for Distinguished Scholarship in 2017. 

News Archive

World renowned cardiothoracic surgeons convene at UFS
2010-03-14

World-renowned cardiothoracic surgeons from around the world will be the guests of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of the Free State (UFS) when a workshop for cardiothoracic surgeons is presented at the UFS Faculty of Health from Monday, 15 March to Wednesday, 17 March 2010.

The workshop is presented by the European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS), which focuses on development and training in Africa.

Prof. Francis Smit, Head of the UFS Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and also member of the international cooperation committee of EACTS, says EACTS have selected the UFS, and specifically Bloemfontein, to be the site for their African Training and Education outreach. “We are extremely honoured by this after working at it for more than four years.”

Seven world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeons, including three former presidents of EACTS, will present the training courses in Bloemfontein from 15-17 March 2010. These surgeons are from the United States of America, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Scotland.

The European Cardiovascular Technologists are sending a perfusionist as well to present a perfusion workshop on Wednesday, 17 March 2010. The last day will be devoted to advanced surgical techniques.

The programme consists of a two-day scientific course that addresses research issues. All the invited speakers are well-known and established researchers. They all have been editors/editorial staff members of major international journals.

Prof. Smit says, “The knowledge transfer to South African surgeons can be phenomenal. Young and established surgeons can also meet the experts and improve their skills in conducting and successfully publish results.”

More than a hundred participants are expected for the workshops of the first two days, of which forty from abroad. The last day would be open registration and more than 150 people are expected.

Prof. Smit says, “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to educate, stimulate and teach surgeons in South Africa. It will add to their knowledge base and introduce them to high quality research methodology that will certainly have an impact on our research output. Hopefully this will be a bi-annual event where we can teach our academic community at a very focused and high level supported by EACTS.”

Media release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt@ufs.ac.za  
12 March 2010
 

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