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26 January 2022
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Story Rulanzen Martin
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Photo University of the Western Cape
The late Prof Jaap Durand.
The management of the University of the Free State (UFS) is saddened to learn of the passing of Prof Jaap Durand, revered theological academic and author. Prof Durand obtained his master’s degree from the UFS and received an honorary doctorate in Philosophy from the UFS in 2004.
Prof Durand has had a colourful career as academic, writer, and struggle activist: from Professor of Systematic Theology and Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the University of the Western Cape to Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the same university. He also served as the ombudsman of Stellenbosch University from 2002 to 2003.
During his life, Prof Durand was a unifier and a critical voice, speaking out against injustice. He has also authored several books, including Dit is amper dag; Evolusie, wetenskap en geloof, and Protesstem.
The UFS joins the higher education community in mourning and is deeply saddened by the loss of such a great theologian and academic. We wish to convey our deepest condolences to Prof Durand’s family, friends, and loved ones during this time.
Faculty of Theology hosts conference on theology and science
2010-03-25
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At the conference were, from the left: Prof. Rian Venter, Department of Systematic Theology at the UFS and organiser of the conference; Prof. Isabel Phiri, University of KwaZulu-Natal; Prof. André van Niekerk, Stellenbosch University; Prof. Francois Tolmie, Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the UFS; and Prof. Wentzel van Huyssteen, Princeton, USA.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs |
The Faculty of Theology at the University of the Free State (UFS) presented an interdisciplinary conference with the theme faith, religion and the public university this week.
The conference was preceded by a public lecture: Human Uniqueness? In Search of the Image of God by Prof. Wentzel van Huyssteen of Princeton in the United States of America (USA). In his lecture he asks: What makes humans different from animals? He also discusses the statement: Is there something that science can teach theologians and something that theologians can teach science?
In his lecture Prof. van Huyssteen refers to the prehistoric paintings in, among others, Spain, France and also Mossel Bay in South Africa. According to him these rock paintings shed some interesting light on the nature of humankind. “It seems as if there is a possible religious connotation to these paintings. Among others it becomes clear that man has the ability to ask deeper questions about his existence,” said Prof. van Huyssteen.
This find of prehistoric paintings is also an example of an interdisciplinary search for answers to the question: What makes man different from other species?
The rock art also shows that man sees himself as part of nature. “Being the image of God” has also to do with an awareness of nature and man’s special task therein as image bearer of God,” said Prof. van Huyssteen.
These are interesting perspectives given by other sciences on the nature of man. From the theology the perspective of “man created to the image of God” is added. At this occasion speakers from different disciplines such as law, physics, sociology, philosophy and theology participated in the discussion about the position of religion at a public university.
Other main speakers at this occasion were Prof. Isabel Phiri from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Prof. Anton van Niekerk from Stellenbosch University.