Mark Pretorius

Mark Pretorius
Nationality	South African
Fields	Theology, Philosophy and Metaphysics
Institutions	SA Theological Seminary
Alma mater	University of Pretoria (PhD 2007)

Mark Pretorius (born April 1957 in Johannesburg, South Africa) is an evangelical theologian, philosopher and metaphysician. He holds the following degrees. A BTh (South African Theological Seminary), a BTh Hons (University of Zululand), an M.A. in Biblical Studies (University of Johannesburg), and a PhD in Systematic Theology (University of Pretoria). Pretorius is a full-time academic at the South African Theological Seminary,^[1] and a research associate in the department of Dogmatics and Ethics at the University of Pretoria.^[2]

Research focus

Pretorius's doctoral work encompasses the interaction between science and theology, including integrating evolution and the creative acts of God found in Genesis 1-2.^[3] He has written several published articles on this relationship (amongs others), in the Academic Journals Verbum et Ecclesia, HTS Theological Studies,^[4] and Conspectus.^[5]

The core of Pretorius's research is a study of sound, specifically cymatics, which he assimilates into his studies of Genesis, and commonly refers to it as a cymatic theology. This model, which postulates that creation was initiated by sound (Gods divinely spoken Word), was initially developed in a paper he presented at an academic meeting in Pretoria (South Africa) in August 2008. The concept of cymatics, on which the model is based, is a well examined and published idea, especially in view of the work of Robert Hooke (1680), Ernst Chladni (1787), Hans Jenny (1967), and currently by John Stuart Reid.^[6]

Readers

A significant part of Pretorius’s academic work, was researching and compiling a wide variety of academic readers^[7][8] for theological students. These readers are used by students in various institutions around the world, who are in partnership with the South African Theological Seminary. Examples include ISTL (International Seminary of Theology and Leadership) in Switzerland, FIET (Facultad Internacional de Educación Teológica) in Argentina and EFGBC (Ethiopian Full Gospel Believers Church) in Ethiopia.^[9] Pretorius was able to research and assemble this material through the Seminary being a member of DALRO^[10] (Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Organisation). The work has enabled many disadvantaged students over the years to graduate through their various institutions.

Pretorius was also a contributor to the book “Academic Writing and Theological Research: A Guide for Students”,^[11][12] which is now the standard book recommended by many academic institutions for use by their students.

Select articles

• “The Holy Spirit and His relationship to the Godhead in the light of Scripture” The Shepherd 6 (2) March-April 2005 20-22.
• “The Key to the Present Fulfilment of the Eschatological Inclusion of the Gentiles in the People of God”, HTS Theological Studies 61(4) 2005 1339-1352.
• “Evolution or Creation” Christian Living Today Issue 159 Sept 2006 38-41.
• “Justification as it relates to Adam and Christ within the New Covenant” Conspectus. Vol. 1(1) 2006 43-64.
• “The Theological Centre of Pauline Theology as it relates to the Holy Spirit” HTS Theological Studies. 62 (1) 2006 253-262.
• “How does Prayer Affect God’s Plan: An Enquiry into God’s Providence, with Special Reference to Prayer and Healing” Conspectus. Vol. 2 (1) 2006 56-71.
• “A New Life in Christ: A Specific Exegetical Focus on Romans 6-8” Theological-Research.Org 2007.^[13]
• “Shaping Eschatology within Science and Theology” Verbum et Ecclesia Vol. 28 (I) 2007 191-206.
• “Providence and Gods Emergent Will: How it relates to Determinism and Prayer for Healing”. Verbum et Ecclesia. Vol. 28 (2) 2007 580-601.
• “Deconstructing Open Theism and its views on Determinism, and the Sovereignty and Omniscience of God” Theological-Research.Org 2009.^[13]
• “Human Freedom and God’s Providence: Is there conflict?” Conspectus. Vol. 8 (2) 2009. 62-75.
• “Sound: Conceivably the Creative Language of God, Holding all of Creation in Concert”. Verbum et Ecclesia. Vol. 32 (1) 2011
• “The Creation and Fall of Adam and Eve: Literal, Symbolic or Myth?” Conspectus Vol 12 (2) Sept 2011 259-282

Associations, boards and committees

• Full member Society for Pentecostal Studies
• Associate member Dogmatological Society of South Africa^[2] (University of Pretoria)
• Research associate,^[2] (University of Pretoria)
• Board of Referees,^[14] (Conspectus: Journal of the SA Theological Seminary)^[5]

References

1. ^ SA Theological Seminary (staff)
2. ^ ^{a b c} Dogmatics and Christian Ethics Department, University of Pretoria
3. ^ Doctoral Thesis (select pages)
4. ^ Articles by Mark Pretorius listed on the University of Pretoria website
5. ^ ^{a b} Conspectus: The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary
6. ^ Cymascope: John Stuart Reid
7. ^ Readers, SATS Prospectus (page17)
8. ^ Frequently asked questions: See question: "Do I need textbooks?"
9. ^ International Partnerships (point 5 and 6)
10. ^ DALRO
11. ^ Academic Writing and Theological Research (reviews)
12. ^ Book Preview (select pages)
13. ^ ^{a b} Theological Research (see research papers)
14. ^ Board of Referees Conspectus

External links

• Research website

Persondata
Name	Pretorius, Mark
Alternative names
Short description	South African theologian and philosopher
Date of birth	April 1957
Place of birth	Johannesburg
Date of death
Place of death