Research Profile

Prof. Smit’s research interest is in contemporary ecumenical systematic theology, particularly from a Reformed perspective. Topics include the role of the Bible in Christian faith and doctrine; the relationship between doctrine, worship and ethics; implications of the faith for Christian life; the nature and calling of the church; and so-called public theology (together with several colleagues, including Koopman and Vosloo). He has been dealing with these themes against the backdrop of recent South African history and the contemporary challenges facing the church in South Africa.

Teaching Profile

Teaching is done with a view to theological education for the ministry (in Protestant churches) and postgraduate students pursue their own research interests.

Selected Publications

“Reading Rightly? On Hermeneutics of Trust, Hope and Commitment,” in Jeremy Punt & Marius Nel (eds), Reading Writing Right, Essays Presented in Honour of Prof AEJ (Elna) Mouton, Stellenbosch: Africa SunMedia, 2018, 19-39.

“What Makes Worship Good?,“ in Pieter Vos (ed), Liturgy and Ethics. New Contributions from Reformed Perspectives, Leiden: Brill/Rodopi, 2018, 19-48.

“Justice as/and Compassion? On the Good Samaritan and Political Theology,“ Frits de Lange & L Juliana Claassens (eds), Considering Compassion: Global Ethics, Human Dignity and the Compassionate God, Eugene, OR: Pickwick, Wipf & Stock, 2018, 109-128

“‘Hope for Even the Most Wretched‘? On Remembering the Reformation,“ Stellenbosch Theological Journal Vol 4, No 2, 2018, 703–725

“Living with strangers? On constructing ethical discourses,“ Daniel Pedersen & Christopher Liley, eds., Human Origins and the Image of God: Essays in Honor of J. Wentzel van Huyssteen. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2017, 273-313

“Does it Matter? On whether there is Method in the Madness,” Companion to Public Theology, eds. Sebastian Kim & Katie Day, Leiden: Brill, 2017, 67-92.

“Religion and civil society in ‘South Africa‘? Searching for grammar for life together,“ in Michael Welker, Koos Vorster & Nico Koopman (eds), Church and Civil Society. German and South African Perspectives, Stellenbosch: Sun Media, 2017, 63-106

Contact

Princeton Theological Seminary
P.O. Box 821
64 Mercer Street
Princeton, NJ 08542-0803

Phone: +1 609.497.7952
Email: dirk.smit@ptsem.edu

Homepage: https://www.ptsem.edu/people/dirk-j-smit