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31 January 2024
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Story EDZANI NEPHALELA
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Photo ANJA AUCAMP
Dr Martin Laubscher’s thesis, crowned with the Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize, is testament to the university’s unwavering commitment to scholarly excellence.
In a historic triumph that reverberates over four decades since its inception, the UFS has clinched the coveted
Andrew Murray Prize – now renamed the Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize – for the first time. Standing shoulder to shoulder with institutions such as the University of Pretoria (UP) and Stellenbosch University (SU), this achievement marks a significant milestone in the UFS’ journey.
At the heart of this accomplishment lies the profound contribution of
Dr Martin Laubscher, distinguished Senior Lecturer specialising in Practical and Missional Theology in the
Faculty of Theology and Religion. Dr Laubscher’s dedication and scholarly prowess culminated in the groundbreaking work titled
Publieke teologie as profetiese teologie? (Public theology as prophetic theology), a revised edition of his doctoral thesis, which was originally crafted at Stellenbosch University in 2020, with a focus on the eminent Karl Barth.
Dr Laubscher received the Andrew Murray Prize for Theological Books in Afrikaans for his research and insightful analysis. The journey started when he realised, under the guidance of his study leader,
Prof Dion Forster, that his script had the potential to be published in Afrikaans. Sun Media’s interest in publishing this work in Afrikaans, led to it being the first-ever published thesis in Afrikaans. Dr Laubscher recalls, “I was grateful and excited about Sun Media’s interest. The book emerged within a year, and during a celebratory launch Prof Forster suggested I submit it for the Andrew Murray Prize.”
Earlier this year, Dr Laubscher was excited to learn that he was being shortlisted for the prestigious award. Reflecting on the significant moment, he shares, “The elation I felt upon receiving the news was unparalleled. I was not only celebrating a personal triumph, but also etching my name as the first laureate from our faculty to secure this prestigious accolade.”
Faculty of Theology wants to serve churches better
2009-10-15
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The Faculty of Theology at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently approached Prof. Dons Kritzinger, previously from the University of Pretoria, to do an investigation on how this faculty can render a service to a wider group of churches in the Free State and Northern Cape. According to Prof. Kritzinger, the faculty must deliberately reach out to more churches. “The faculty can offer a lot; however, not many people know about it,” said Prof. Kritzinger. Prof. François Tolmie, Dean of the UFS Faculty of Theology said the faculty would thoroughly discuss Prof. Kritzinger’s report and on these grounds they would launch new actions. At Prof. Kritzinger’s feedback discussion were front, from the left: Prof. Kritzinger and Prof. Tolmie; back: Prof. Rian Venter from the Department of Systematic Theology at the UFS.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs |