Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

This volume is a Festschrift presented to
Prof. Dr. Peter Kuzmic on his sixty-fifth birthday as an expression of the friendship, gratitude and esteem of his colleagues, ministry partners and former students. The authors celebrate through their contributions the diverse interests, activities and involvements that constituted most of Dr. Kuzmic's life over some 45 years. Dr. Kuzmic has distinguished himself in various ways: As a scholar, his numerous contributions in the fields of Biblical Studies, Missiology and Ethics have received the highest appreciation. As an educator, his vision and efforts to establish and advance theological learning have increased Christian knowledge globally. As a Christian leader, his ministry to church and society has had a positive impact on thousands of lives. Anyone who has had the privilege of knowing Dr. Kuzmic will agree that it is no exaggeration to describe him as a man consumed with passion for the Kingdom of God. Thus the title chosen for the volume -First the Kingdom of God - a true motto of Dr. Kuzmic's life.

The essays collected in this volume are a selection of papers presented over a period of three years at several symposia held in Evanđeoski teološki fakultet, Osijek, Croatia. The authors, a group of postgraduate students coming from various places from Eastern Europe, undertook topics of research that express contextual awareness and a desire to reflect relevantly on issues facing Church and society. Methodologically the collection restates the centrality of the Bible and the importance of responsible biblical interpretation. Also there is a stress on the importance of addressing the challenges of culture and society through theological reflection. As such, the works offered here will hopefully expand the readers' awareness of the possibilities and necessity for undertaking theological research.

Theological research is a complex undertaking. It requires diligence, long hours of work, the tackling of issues which many times challenge one's personal assumptions and the acceptance that as a profession it does not bring the material rewards other academic fields might offer. Nevertheless, it is also a most exciting endeavor, for it offers endless possibilities in terms of topics and method - a feast worthy of the attention of even the most industrious of researchers. The essays collected in this volume are offered as a tasting platter in the hope that the reader will feel compelled to partake in this feast. The contributors to this volume come from various national, denominational and academic backgrounds. However, they share an interest in theological research and education in Eastern Europe and they are all lecturers at Evanđeoski teološki fakultet in Osijek, Croatia.

Contemporary European higher education is in a state of turmoil – turmoil caused by such issues as market-driven mentalities, continuous under-funding, declining educational standards, over-worked teaching personnel and unmotivated students; and all these in spite of the sweeping educational reforms that have been implemented in Europe within the past two decades. The papers collected in this volume, however, offer an alternative vision of higher education – a vision that is theologically informed and Christian in its ethos. This vision will appeal to anyone interested to engage the challenges of our educational systems and make ethically suitable use of the opportunities arising due to technological and societal developments.

This volume has its origins in the international symposium The Idea of a Christian University held at Institutul Teologic Penticostal from Bucharest, Romania during 23–24 May 2013. The event gathered together theologians and educators from around Europe and got them engaged in an exploration of the meaning and methods of higher education as seen in relation to Christian faith and within the practice of Christian communities. The papers given at the conference are reproduced here in the hope that the insights they offer will prompt further reflection on the place and necessity of Christian higher education within the contemporary society.

The Christian origins of European and North-American institutions of higher education is a well-known fact. In the present volume, the ideas and ideals that gave birth to such institutions are revisited and presented as models to be followed. The contributors to the volume are either experienced Christian academics or have been on the receiving end of Christian higher education. As such, they are uniquely qualified to reflect on the subject matter addressed.

Contemporary Christian communities are facing unique circumstances. The gradual secularization of the society, the relativisation of truth claims and the multiplication of religious options are challenges to be contended with. In addition to these, the post-communist context in Eastern and Central Europe is also marked by deeply rooted injustices, unresolved historical conflicts, remains of wicked ideologies, social unrest, moral decline, political opportunism and economic instability. Accompanied by the “idols” of fame, success, immorality and power, these external factors are affecting negatively the life and ministry of churches nowadays. This volume argues that theological institutions must not ignore these unprecedented challenges, but have the responsibility to engage in deep theological reflection and thorough research in order to provide the Church with the resources that will enable her to proclaim and embody the gospel in meaningful and truthful ways.

This volume has its origins in the international symposium Re-Imagining the Seminary: An International Conference on Theological Education Leadership held at Institutul Teologic Penticostal from Bucharest, Romania during 11–14 September 2013. The event gathered together presidents and deans of seminaries, key faculty members from several theological institutions from Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Christian leaders from various churches and Christian organizations. Together, these reflected, discussed and imagined ways of following faithfully and embodying the values of the Kingdom of God in the methods and practices of contemporary theological education. The papers given during the conference are presented here as a springboard for further biblical and theological reflection on the matter.

Theological institutions exist to serve the Church in her mission. As such, “re-imagining theological education” is a task that implies critical reflection upon our educational methods and practices. The authors of the articles collected in this volume have undertaken such reflection and the results presented here provide a provocative vision of theological education that will, no doubt, prove to be informative and conducive to transformation.

Central and Eastern Europe is one of the areas of the world that has undergone profound transformations during the 100 years delimited by the two Edinburgh gatherings that inspired the Regnum Edinburgh Centenary Series. It is the place in which Marxist ideology gave birth to the Communist hegemony that has impacted the European arena for over 50 years. But this is also the place where Christian churches experienced God’s grace and provision, and even unexpected flourishing in some quarters. The present volume brings together significant contributions from over thirty theologians, missiologists and practitioners from this part of the world. The articles explore the complex missiological thinking and praxis of Central and Eastern Europe, highlight concrete missiological endeavours and pointing to the challenges and opportunities for mission in this part of the world.