Dan Lioy

2012

English  Book p. cm.

New York : P. Lang, ; ISBN: 9781433116247 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1433116243 (hardcover : alk. paper)

EARLY NOTIFICATION OF 2012 CONVOCATION

 GST has every second year their convocation in London, and we wish herewith to invite you to attend this occasion. During this ceremony degrees are presented to those students whose degrees have already been conferred by the NWU in South Africa.

The next NWU/GST biennial Convocation is to be held at South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London on the afternoon of Thursday, 4 October 2012 Guest speaker will be the former-President of South Africa Dr FW de Klerk.

 This is ceremonial, attended by all the academics from NWU and GST and the certificate in a leather cover is presented on this occasion.

 If you intend to be present for this convocation ceremony, we thought you would appreciate receiving this early notification as most of our students have to arrange for leave, flights, accommodation etc. Will you please send an e-mail to Tienie.Buys@nwu.ac.za or evansgst@btconnect.com indicating whether you consider to attend this exciting event in 2012!

Transformative Discourse and Theological Anthropology in Mark’s Gospel

Oxford, Bern, Berlin, Bruxelles, Frankfurt am Main, New York, Wien, 2011. VIII, 349 pp.
ISBN 978-3-0343-0294-4 pb.
sFr. 78.00 / EUR* 53.50 / EUR** 55.00 / EUR 50.00 / £ 45.00 / US-$ 77.95
* includes VAT – only valid for Germany  /  ** includes VAT – only valid for Austria  /  EUR does not include VAT

This book investigates Mark’s Gospel as an example of a ‘transformative discourse’ that uses many interwoven rhetorical elements to move its audience toward change. A detailed exegesis of the Gerasene demoniac story (Mark 5:1-20) in its literary setting highlights its significant contribution to this transformative discourse. What happens to the demoniac – release from bondage to evil, and entrance into a new perceptual world – typifies the dynamics of the Gospel’s theological anthropology and can be regarded as somewhat paradigmatic of human transformation in the context of Christian discipleship.
The heart of the book is its overview of Mark’s vision of humanity. The language and narrative rhetoric of Mark’s Gospel express ideas about human nature and human destiny that are strongly predicated on the new eschatological perspective of Jesus. Despite the fundamental distortion of humankind, the possibility of radical transformation is clear. The book highlights the transformative potential of the Gospel, demonstrating the rhetorical means by which Mark promotes the transformation of his audience and showing how this rhetoric is linked to a dynamic eschatological anthropology.

Contents:
Mark’s Gospel as a locus for theological anthropology – Mark’s Gospel as transformative discourse – The transformation of the demoniac in Mark 5:1-20 – The contribution of Mark 5:1-20 to Mark’s transformative discourse – The theological anthropology of Mark’s Gospel – The transformative potential of Mark 5:1-20.

Stuart T. Rochester worked in Australia as a biochemist and primary school teacher before commencing theological studies at Regent College, Vancouver, Canada. He completed his PhD in theology at Durham University, UK, in 2009. In the UK he has been a tutor in New Testament with the Open Theological College and with Greenwich School of Theology, and currently teaches New Testament at the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology in Addis Ababa.

1. Please give a thumbnail sketch of your roles and responsibilities by way of introduction.
I can refer you to my Curriculum Vitae.  I am with the Board of Directors of GST and committed to serving the GST and actualising its mission and mission statement.

2. Is Greenwich School of Theology (GST) the only UK/European institution associated with the Faculty of Theology of North-West University?
It is, though we have similar relationships and agreements with Theological Institutions in the RSA and other parts of the world.

3. What do you regard as the fruits of the relationship between NWU and GST, and how do you see this relationship developing in the future?
I am thankful to the Lord for what has been achieved! At the outset, in 1997, this kind of association was completely new to all of us. We were fortunate to have experienced and skilled people from both sides, committed to making a success of this challenge. Between 2000 and 2010, 31 students had received  PhD and  Masters’ degrees as a result of this agreement. 

As far as the future is concerned, the Board of Directors has designed a strategic plan with a short- and a long-term mission which will be regularly updated. It deals with such issues as governance, management, financial stability, academic standards, sound communication and personal  guidance to students, and responsible marketing.

4. GST students value the fact that their degrees are accredited internationally. How does NWU achieve this recognition?
This is one of the oldest and most respected universities in South Africa with a proud history. The university enjoys global acknowledgement.  It is firmly established both nationally and internationally.  It meets the requirements of the South African Government, in particular the Department of Education. Like the other SA Universities, it is regularly assessed and evaluated according to the regulations of the Department of Education (http://www.nwu.ac.za)

Greenwich School of Theology has appointed Professor Dries du Plooy as the new Dean and Chief Executive Officer. This was ratified by the GST board on the 17th May 2011.

“We are very fortunate to attract someone of Prof. du Plooy’s experience and expertise and we look forward Prof. Dries taking Greenwich School of Theology to new highs” commented Professor Byron Evans, Vice Chairman.

Prof. du Plooy is the former Dean of Theology at North-West University and takes up his position with immediate effect.

Greenwich School of Theology offers accredited distance learning theology degrees including PHD / Doctoral, Masters degree, BA honors degree

For more information please contact enquiries@gschooltheol.com

I just received official documentation from World Education Services (WES) that my PhD from North-West University, a nationally accredited degree, is equivalent to a regionally accredited degree from a higher educational institution in the United States. The news is really great not only for me but also for both Greenwich School of Theology and NWU.

I want to encourage GST and NWU to be listed on WES as a world-wide institution of higher education at http://www.wes.org/  In so doing, you may attract students not only from the USA but all around the world.

Please share the news with the faculty and staff at GST and my spiritual brothers and sisters in South Africa.

Best Regards,

Timothy Lent, PhD (2010)

Rev Martin Davis, PhD-student:

My experience with GST/NWU has been very gratifying and rewarding. While the work required was demanding, my supervisors guided me through the entire process, not only providing me excellent academic assistance but also meaningful personal support and encouragement.  The British system of supervised research is tailor-made to the needs of self-motivated pastors and interested others who wish to pursue higher academic credentials granted by an accredited university. I highly recommend the GST/NWU program.

Rev Martin M Davis

Rector, All Nations Anglican Church,

Jackson, MS (USA)

revmartindavis@gmail.com

Paul McCuistion, PhD-student:

I am currently in my 3rd year at Greenwich School of Theology and am more excited than ever. This is a great program!

Paul McCuistion

teaching4jesus@msn.com

Steve West, PhD-student:

My dissertation has been accepted (revised for book style) for publication by McMaster Divinity College Press here in Canada.  McMaster Divinity College is the theological school of a major Canadian university.  The final contract has not yet been signed, but the document is being drawn up, and the book proposal has been accepted.  You will, of course, be featured in the acknowledgements, since I couldn’t have completed this work without your help.

Thanks again for all your help.

Steve West, PhD (2011)

stevewest2001@hotmail.com

The New Year witnessed a major change in the staff structure of GST when the role of Dean was relinquished by Professor Dr Stephen W Need due to an extension in his term of office as Dean of St George’s College in Jerusalem and the commensurate increase in his workload. The tasks required of a GST Dean are now shared between Dr Chris Woodall, the Registrar, Mrs Peg Evans as Liaison Administrator, with myself acting in a consultative capacity. We were fortunate to secure the services of Stephen as Dean for two years and as Examiner and tutor for an even longer period of time. We wish him and his wife Jill every success for the future.

As we all know of OFSTED and all the other statutory inspectors of Higher Education establishments, it will come as no surprise that a new development of some significance is the requirement made by our accrediting body, North-West University in South Africa, for an appraisal of all its satellite establishments, including GST. The University itself is to be inspected shortly, a requirement of the Education Department of the South African Government.

Simultaneously, and quite by chance, GST will also have another appraisal under the auspices of the now independent Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC) in the UK. An appraisal occurs routinely at the end of every three-year period in connection with our accreditation as a provider of distance learning courses. These appraisals assure our students that the academic standards we have always cherished and valued will be maintained and that GST will meet the requirements set by the university and beyond.

GST is a charity, a trust, and a non-profit making Christian School of Theology. In the past it has never been able to access sufficient funding to organise regular events, such as tutor training sessions. Now, with the support of the Theology Faculty at NWU, this will be possible. Hopefully, later this year such a course will be held at St Deiniol’s Residential Library at Hawarden, near Chester, under the direction of Prof Herrie van Rooy, Director of Research at North-West University’s Faculty of Theology, Potchefstroom Campus. It is expected that numbers may be limited to around twenty, so that three seminars can be run simultaneously. It does mean that those of our tutors and examiners and those contacted as potential future tutors will need to secure a place early. If you are interested please contact either Peg or Chris as soon as possible.

GST continues to attract students from all over the world. At present we have students in the UK, Italy, Germany, USA, Canada, Ghana, Zambia, Nigeria, Malaysia, Norway and Finland and we are desperate to secure funding for students from the developing World. We have received enquiries for courses at Diploma and BA (Honours) levels, but despite our best efforts we are rarely able to secure sufficient funds to meet the needs of those who are in genuine need. We have, however, had one spectacular success that has given a great deal of joy and hope to a young Pastor serving a very poor community on the borders of Zambia and the Congo. A student, also pursuing a BA (Honours) course, heard of the plight of this young man and decided – with her husband’s full support – to pay the fees for his study programme by instalments. I am delighted to report that he has recently been awarded his degree, class 2.1! Can you imagine the celebrations, not only in that community in Zambia, but also in New Zealand, where the benevolent young family now resides, and here at GST Central Office?

We hope that there may be another individual, or group of individuals, or a church that might follow this practical Christian example and offer to pay for a course or courses by instalments. To those who have contributed in this way, we offer our gratitude. Please contact Central Office for further details.