Diversity is the bedrock of the North-West University (NWU) and faith is a pillar of strength for many within the NWU and to billions of people around the globe. The Faculty of Theology has again shown that diversity and faith go well together by producing exceptional PhDs at the first PhD graduation ceremony of 2021.

Hailing from the small village of Takpo in the upper-west region of Ghana is Moses Banungwiiri, a clergyman who wrote his thesis on “Marriage and family life: the view of marriage, divorce and remarriage among the Christian Dagaaba in the Upper West Region of Ghana – an ethical theological corrective”. In it, Dr Banungwiiri analyses biblical instructions on marriage, divorce and remarriage in relation to the Dagaaba people.

Douglas Campbell from Edinburgh, Scotland received his PhD for his thesis, “Sharing in Christ’s Glory: a study of Doxa in 1 Peter”, while Jose Leonardo Cruz from El Salvador contributed to the diverse array of PhD graduates. Born in San Salvador, Jose’s thesis is on “The impact of honour and shame on the decision-making process of multicultural church painting themes in Turkey”.  

Ghislaine Ntamushigo Gurhahoza from the Democratic Republic of the Congo tapped into feministic themes with her thesis, “The conception of the Imago Dei and its impact on female leadership: a critical reflection of Christian feminism in the Democratic Republic of Congo”.

Up in the cold north of Canada, Kyle Grey Johnston wrote his thesis on “A proposed biblical counselling supervision model aimed at promoting the multidimensional development of the biblical counsellor”. Kihwan Kwon from South Korea published “Preparing Korean missionaries for cultural adaptation: a pastoral-theological model, Carl Martin – a son of Pennsylvania in the USA – The identification of new exodus themes in John 13-17”.

From Ghana again is Shadrach Paa Kwesi Tano Ofosuware with his thesis “A theological evaluation of the ethics of customary marriage in the Ghanaian Christian charismatic churches in London”, and Marjorie Smith from Namibia with her thesis “Pre-retirement accompaniment in the local congregation: a pastoral study” (Afrikaans: Vooraftrede-begeleiding binne die plaaslike gemeente: ‘n pastorale studie).

The last of our foreign researchers is Simon Spikin from Berkshire in the United Kingdom. His thesis is titled “The Influence of the San Damiano Crucifix on the spirituality of St Francis of Assisi: a critique of relevant literature”.   

These are themes about looking at the world and analysing the world, all within the framework of academic endeavour and creativity.

The NWU might be situated at the southern-most tip of Africa, but it is a gateway for academics in theology to and from the rest of the world.