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ST AUGUSTINE COLLEGE OF SOUTH AFRICA
A Speciality Postgraduate Teaching and Research Institution

Dr Jaco Kruger

Jaco

Education

My post graduate studies initially focussed on a philosophical and theological engagement with the methodology of the natural sciences. My honours study comprised an analysis of the core epistemic values underlying Wentzel van Huyssteen’s model of rationality for theology, while my Master’s dissertation was an attempt at a typology of the Faith-Science debate building on insights of the Dutch Christian philosopher, C.A. van Peursen.

In 2012 I was awarded the degree D.Litt et Phil. from the University of South Africa (UNISA) in the Department of Religious Studies. My doctoral thesis attempted a critical engagement with the 20th century theological turn in phenemenology, specifically the work of Jacques Derrida.

Publications

Articles in Referred Journals

  • Kruger, J.P.  1995.  Core epistemic values in Wentzel van Huyssteen’s model of rationality for theology.  KOERS 62(1):29-44.
  • Kruger, J.P.  2004.  A proposal for a typology of the faith-science debate. KOERS 69(3):389-410.
  • Kruger, J.P. 2013.  Being church sacramentally – a rediscovery.  NGTT 54(1 and 2):81-91.
  • Kruger, J.P. 2013.  Theological and philosophical underpinnings of ‘missional’ church: a critical evaluation.  In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi 47(1), Art. #711, 8 pages. http:// dx.doi.org/10.4102/ids. v47i1.711.
  • Kruger, J.P. 2015. Childhood as continuity and newness: generational succession understood according to the theological logic of the gift. International Journal of Children's Spirituality, DOI: 10.1080/1364436X.2014.999231

Contributions in Books

Kruger, J.P. 2008. Christian Identity in an age of difference. In: Van der Borght, E. Christian Identity. Leiden: Brill.

Other Scholarly Contributions

Conference Presentations

  • “Christian Identity in an Age of Difference.”  Conference of the International Reformed Theological Institute (IRTI) held in Seoul, Korea, July 2005.
  • “On the other side of instrumental reason – a plea for a liturgical rationality.”  Part of a series of lectures hosted by the Centre for Faith and Science, Northwest University, September 2007.
  • “Giving place – a thoroughly liturgical notion of space and time.”  Conference of the Theological Society of South Africa, Grahamstown, July 2008.
  • “Space and time as meaning – a liturgical approach.”  Grandeur of Reason Conference hosted by the Centre for Theology and Philosophy (University of Nottingham).  Rome, September 2008.
  • ““A radically liturgical worldview.”   Paper read at a one day seminar of the Dutch Reformed Churches on the liturgy held in Pretoria, February 2010.
  • “Challenges for the Church Today: a South African Reformed Perspective.”  Paper at the 2012 conference of the South African Catholic Theological Society.
  • “Childhood as continuity ánd newness: Generational succession understood according to the theological logic of the gift.”  Paper at a conference of the Faculty of Theology of the North West University in July 2014.
  • “A catholic-protestant future? – The confessions of a lapsed protestant.”  Public lecture delivered at St Augustine College in November 2014.
  • “Reassembling and remembering – the politics of reconciliation in South Africa.”  Paper at the “Radical Orthodoxy in South Africa” conference held at UOFS on 7-9 May 2015.

 

Other Research and Teaching Activities

  • Taught a module in Dogmatics on 2nd year level at Mukhanyo Theological College in KwaMhlanga, north of Pretoria.  November 2004.
  • “Faith, religion and the Afrikaner people.”  Discussion document presented to a group of academics, October 2009.
  • “Radical Orthodoxy: (post)modern theology and philosophy challenged.”  Article published in Woord en Daad, Summer 2009.
  • “Evolution – what’s the big fuss?”   Research seminar presented at Wapadrant Reformed Church, April 2011.
  • Attendee at the “What is Life?” Conference hosted by the Centre for Theology and Philosophy (University of Nottingham).  Krakow, July 2011.
  • Member of a study group delegated by the National Synod of the Reformed Churches to make suggestions about the celebration of the Eucharist. 2006-2011.
  • Conducted a study tour to the Eastern United States to research models for multicultural and multi-lingual church ministry. June 2013.
  • Attendee at the “The Soul” Conference hosted by the Centre for Theology and Philosophy (University of Nottingham).  Oxford, July 2013.

A little more information

HOD: Humanities / Senior Lecturer (Full-Time): Philosophy & Applied Ethics

BA (Hons), Th.B (Hons), MA (North West University), D. Litt. et Phil (Unisa)

Head of Philosophy & Applied Ethics, Jaco is known for his passion for reconciliation and bridge building.

***

I consider myself a regular person of Afrikaans descent trying to live with wisdom in the world and especially the South Africa of the 21st century.

Having spent some years as a full time member of a Department of Philosophy, I also had the opportunity to work in the Social Services in the United Kingdom and subsequently to be a pastor in a religious community in Pretoria.  Being part of a religious community afforded me the opportunity to be involved in various community building and community development projects across a variety of communities.

During the past decade and a half I was fortunate enough to travel widely in Europe and Africa (Sudan, Burundi and East Africa, the whole of the SADEC region.)  I feel enriched by these experiences as philosophy is, in my view, as much an art as an academic discipline.

I often have more questions than answers, but I have a passion to search for what mediates between seeming opposites.  Put differently I have a passion for reconciliation and bridge building.

I am married to Donette Werkman-Kruger and we have two daughters, Madeleine and Marianné.

CV can be downloaded from here  

Link to Academia.edu page here

Ready to Join?

St Augustine offers short courses, certificate courses and a range of degrees from the bachelors through to the doctorate level, all of which are recognised and accredited by the relevant branches of South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training.
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