2 Paid PhD Positions at University of Groningen

Two PhD positions have been advertised at Jobs.ac.Uk which is reproduced below. Note that it is possible to do NT/early Christianity.


Two PhD Positions Theology and Religious Studies (1,8 fte) University of Groningen - Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies

Vacancy number 210358-59

Job description
The Graduate School of Theology and Religious Studies of the University of Groningen is looking for two PhD candidates (0,9 fte) for its PhD programme.

The programme is open to highly motivated foreign and Dutch students who have a wide-ranging interest in religion and who wish to study in a challenging academic environment, which stimulates personal development and which aims at excellence. Applicants are requested to submit a research proposal in one of the (sub)disciplines of Religious Studies or Theology.

Requirements

We are looking for enthusiastic candidates with a Master's degree or equivalent, in a (sub)discipline in which the doctoral study will take place. The degree must have been obtained within a reasonable period of time and with results that justify the expectation that the student will be able to successfully complete the programme in four years.

For detailed admission requirements: http://www.rug.nl/gradschoolthrs/admissions/admissionphd

Conditions of employment
The University of Groningen offers a salary of minimal € 2,042 gross a month in the first year to maximal € 2,612 gross a month in the final year based on a full-time position. It is a temporary assignment for a period of 4 years. First, you will get a temporary position of 1,5 years with the perspective of prolongation with another 2,5 years. After the first year, there will be an evaluation as to the feasibility of successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years.

Please note that interviews will be held in week 7 (14-18 February 2011) and that you have to apply only by the application form as pronounced below.

The PhD positions are available as of September 1st, 2011.

Organisation Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies

The Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies (http://www.rug.nl/ggw/index) is one of the four oldest faculties of the University of Groningen. The University of Groningen was founded in 1614 and is among the 10% best universities in the world. A wide variety of disciplines. Internationally oriented. Rooted in the North of The Netherlands. Socially active. Our researchers and lecturers are inspired academics.

The Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies is small, full of atmosphere, and is nationally and internationally renowned for its high quality of teaching and research. Through its Centre for Religious Studies (http://www.rug.nl/ggw/onderzoek/index) the Groningen faculty carries out multi- and interdisciplinary research into ancient and living religions. Research focuses on the philology, literature, iconography, history, philosophy, anthropology and theology of these religions.

Additional information

Prof. A.F. Sanders, e-mail: a.f.sanders@rug.nl

PLEASE USE ONLY THIS APPLICATION FORM: http://www.rug.nl/gradschoolthrs/degree/phd/admission/applicationForm

Graduate School of Theology and Religious Studies: http://www.rug.nl/gradschoolthrs/index

Direct link to this job opening: www.academictransfer.com/7713

Closing date: February 1st, 2011.

English...Oh...English

The British Library is currently having a rather interesting exhibition that I recently attended: Evolving English: One Language, Many Voices. That sets me thinking about how English can be rather confusing, in its make up, pronunciation and the understanding of its meaning.

For example - take the name of places.
Gloucester is pronounced with silent "ce", as in "Glouster".
Likewise, Leicester Square in London is also pronounced with silent "ce", as in "Leister Square."
But Cirencester is pronounced in full, as in "Ci-ren-ces-ter."

Another rather interesting example about people and places.
Those from England are called English
Those from Scotland are called Scottish
Those from Ireland are called Irish
but those from Wales are not called Welshish or Welish. And a Welsh person is not from Welshland.

Let's think about the church now.
Church of England is Anglican
Church of Wales is Anglican
Church of Northern Ireland is Anglican
But Church of Scotland is not Anglican but Presbyterian!!

Finally, this is what I like best. I know of a single woman who celebrated her 50th birthday recently. After her birthday, she insisted that everyone should address her as Madam followed by her surname, and not Miss followed by her surname, as has always been her practice all along. The reason? She was told that those who are 50s and above should only be known as Madam to reflect one's status or rank in life. I think it is wise of me not to mention the other meanings of Madam as well.

Indeed, one language, many voices!

Updated NIV 2010 Completed

The highly anticipated update to the NIV is now completed. While the print edition is not expected to be released until 2011, the online version has now been made available for viewing at BibleGateway (please click here) and Biblica (please click here).

Prof Doug Moo, Chair of the Committee on Bible Translation, provides us with the introductory video of the updated NIV. A condensed version of the video can be found at YouTube.




Please also refer to the translators' notes for the corrections made to the updated version of the NIV by clicking here.

From the translators' notes, I am pleased to note that several significant corrections and changes have been made, taking into account recent scholarship. But I would still like to take a look at several more passages and study them before I make further comments.

Enjoy reading the updated NIV online.

Online Redefined?

I had the following conversation with someone a few months ago, discovering that a simple word like "online" can mean different thing to different people.

Me: I am asking this on behalf of someone who would like to sign up for a class. You mentioned that I can sign up online. But I don't seem to be able to do it.

A: You can sign up the class online - just go to our website

Me: But I have checked the website, there is no facility for me to sign up online.

A: Yes, you can do it online. Try again.

Me: But I have just checked it again - your website doesn't have that option.

A: Yes, we do. Aiyah - you don't know how to do it online ah. Let me explain. First, go online to our website. Download the form which is in PDF into your computer. Then you print out the form and fill it the details. After that, you fax the form to me. So simple.

Me: .............

Kingdom, Power and Truth: God and Caesar Then and Now: Lecture by NT Wright

I am late in getting this out - the fulltext of NT Wright's first lecture as Professor at St Andrews has been posted by David Larsen.

Please click here to read Professor Wright's lecture on Kingdom, Power and Truth: God and Caesar Then and Now.

New Journal: Journal for the Study of Paul and His Letters

Michael Bird announces that a new journal that he edits will be published soon. Called the Journal for the Study of Paul and His Letters, this journal will be published twice a year. The inaugural issue is expected to be released in spring 2011.

A sample issue and the introductory essay by Bird can be found by clicking here.

Further details of the journal can be found at the publisher's site by clicking here.

Position: NT Lecturer, Durham University

Durham University announces a search for Lecturer in New Testament for its Theology and Religious Studies Department.

According to the announcement, the "current post arises from the retirement of Dr William Telford, Senior Lecturer in New Testament, and applications are welcome from those with research expertise in any area of New Testament studies."

"Those who currently teach in the area include Professor John Barclay, Professor Francis Watson, and Dr Lutz Doering, while many other staff in the Department have cross-disciplinary research interests that relate to the New Testament. There is a weekly research seminar in New Testament, at which papers are presented by leading scholars from the UK and abroad as well as by members of staff and research postgraduates."

"The successful applicant will be expected to teach modules in New Testament at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels, to supervise postgraduate research, to undertake outstanding research leading to publications of international significance, and to play a full part in the life of the department."

Closing date for the application: 12 November 2010.

STM 28th Graduation Service

The Death of Margaret Thrall

Another sad news. Many of the giants of biblical studies in the UK has passed on in the past few years. Today, I received news from the BNTS list that the Revd. Dr. Margaret E. Thrall has passed away at a home for the elderly on the island of Anglesey in North Wales.

"Dr. Margaret Thrall was the first doctoral student of Professor C.F.D. Moule at Cambridge University, and, between 1962 and 1996, she had a distinguished career in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Wales, Bangor. She was associate editor of New Testament Studies, and Editor of the SNTS monograph series (1991-6). She published numerous books and articles during her career, including Greek Particles in the New Testament: Linguistic and Exegetical Studies (1962) and her magisterial two-volume commentary on 2 Corinthians in the International Critical Commentary series (1994, 2000). In recognition of Dr. Thrall’s significant contribution to Pauline scholarship, she was awarded the Burkitt Medal for Biblical Studies by the British Academy in 1997 and a Festschrift to mark her seventy-fifth birthday was published in 2003.

Dr. Thrall’s first monograph was The Ordination of Women to the Priesthood (1958), and in 1997 she was among the first women to be ordained to the priesthood in the Church in Wales. She was a member of the Church in Wales Doctrine Commission (1983-92) and served as Canon Theologian at Bangor Cathedral (1994-7).

Margaret Thrall’s funeral was held on Monday, 11 October in Bangor Cathedral."

Dr Thrall's commentary on 2 Corinthians in the ICC series was very instrumental in my doctoral research. May her soul rest in peace.

Spiritual Formation Seminar by Dr Alex Tang

Petaling Jaya Evangelical Free Church is pleased to announce a Spiritual Formation Seminar to be conducted by Dr Alex Tang.

Date: October 9, 2010
Time: 9.30am-4.30pm
Registration Fees: RM20 (incl notes, lunch and tea breaks)

Please call the church to register before Oct 7: +60 (3) 7957 4341

For a map to the venue, please click here.