Area of PhD research project: Any topic related to the hermeneutical dynamics operative in the interpretation of the scriptures of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The study must be situated in either Old Testament, New Testament, or Missiology/Religion Studies in the Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University.

Background and Context:

A project is presently based at Stellenbosch University to investigate the viability and theoretical basis for establishing a Centre for the Interpretation of Authoritative Scriptures (in ancient and contemporary contexts) [shortly, CIAS] at the said university. The project is jointly funded for the period 2018-2020 by the National Research Foundation (NRF) as well as the office of the Vice Rector (Research & Innovation) of Stellenbosch University. During 2018 some consultations were held to develop the theoretical basis for the proposed centre, and to establish contact with local South African and international scholars having an interest in the hermeneutics of the three scriptural traditions. During 2019 some pilot research projects (through a Master’s study, this PhD project, and a postdoctoral project) will be started, while the project team will continue developing the research and physical infrastructure for the proposed centre. The focus in the centre will eventually be on the academic analysis of the hermeneutical processes that brought about the scriptures of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, that facilitated their transmission processes and (in some cases) canonisation, that regulated the history of interpretation in each tradition, and that determine contemporary interpretations of these scriptures in the South African society. This research wants to contribute to developing a hermeneutical basis for dialogue between the three traditions on the intepretation of their scriptures. As a further spin-off, the project could also contribute to social cohesion in South Africa, in contrast to social conflict.

Requirements:

• A Master’s degree (in any of the theological disciplines mentioned above) from any recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa or abroad;

• The Master’s degree must have been obtained after 1 January 2016 (thus no longer than 3 years ago) with a percentage of at least 70% (or equivalent);

• The Master’s study must have had a hermeneutical focus;

• Admission through the normal processes prescribed by the Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University, and with the normal requirements of each discipline, will be necessary to receive the bursary;

• If successful in admission to a PhD and in applying for the bursary, a supervisor will be allocated to the student, and a research proposal will have to be developed under the supervision of that person before registration and the payment of the bursary can take place.

Value of PhD bursary: R120 000 per annum, renewable for a second year (2020), depending on satisfactory research progress.

[Take note that this is a bursary, and that all further expenses such as travel and costs for moving to Stellenbosch/Western Cape will be the responsibility of the successful candidate.]

To apply:

(i) Apply for a PhD through the normal online channel of SU;

(ii) Send a cover letter to prof Louis Jonker to indicate that you have submitted a PhD application, and that you are interested in the PhD bursary in this project;

(iii) Send copies of all your previous transcripts (undergraduate as well as postgraduate) to prof Louis Jonker;

(iv) Send an abstract of no more than 500 words to prof Louis Jonker in which you explain your research idea that will contribute towards the focus of the proposed Centre.

Contact details: Prof Louis Jonker (LCJ@sun.ac.za).

Closing date/time for applications: 31 October 2018 by 12:00 noon.

Only full aplications (as indicated above) will be accepted.