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The Romanian Institute for Evangelical Research
Preamble
The idea for a Romanian Institute for Evangelical Research was part of a longer discussion among several Romanian Evangelical theologians and the Langham Partnership International, who were thinking of a platform:
- for theological reflection and dialogue amongst Romanian Evangelical theologians;
- for strategic planning for the advancement of theological work amongst the minority Evangelical communities;
- to inform about ongoing research efforts and coordinate new research projects; and
- to create a database of personal and institutional theological resources available in Romania with the purpose of making them accessible to researchers.
Purpose
The purpose of the institute is fourfold.
- First, to carry out and coordinate various research projects on the theology, history, life and ministry of the Evangelical churches in Romania in particular, and on the religious life and various trends in contemporary society in general.
- Second, to be a centre for documentation and research, with a significant collection of theological resources made easily available by means of a centralized database.
- Third, to stimulate and develop reliable integrative interdisciplinary academic research within and for the Evangelical community.
- Fourth, to be a learning institution by offering specific educational research programs at the postgraduate level.
Aim
The aim of the Institute is to promote the highest academic standards of scholarship and a serious commitment to the biblical, evangelical expression of faith, with the end result in studies that contribute toward “building a church of Scripture seekers, thinking pilgrims and serving witnesses” (H. Willmer), studies that affirm the ultimate truth – the lordship of Jesus Christ over the entire reality.
Activities
The objectives and goals of the Institute will be achieved through concrete activities such as:
- to carry out and coordinate various research projects on the theology, history, life and ministry of the Evangelical churches in Romania, in particular, and on the religious life and various trends in contemporary society, in general;
- to organize conferences, symposia and roundtables on important research topics for the Evangelical communities, with a large and interdisciplinary participation from historians, sociologists, philosophers, politicians, social workers, theologians, etc.
- to collect and deposit information, documents and various primary sources of, and about, the evangelical churches in Romania, as well as about previous and ongoing research on the evangelical churches;
- to establish and develop a serious database (including e-sources) of the theological recourses available for researchin the Romanian context;
- to survey and corroborate the data regarding various ongoing Romanian Evangelical projects;
- to establish, maintain and develop a network consisting of various Evangelical churches, institutions, Christian professional associations and individuals for the purposes of research and for a better coordination of ministries and activities of common interest;
- to build and support a network of evangelical seminaries and theological schools in Romania and in Central and Eastern Europe;
- to publish research findings and reports as well as initiate various writing and publishing projects of significant importance for the entire Evangelical community in Romania and the region;
- to award grants and scholarships for the most important, viable and relevant research projects concerning the Evangelical churches;
Proposed Research Areas:
The following are given as examples of possible research areas (not necessarily in the order of priority):
- The witness of the Gospel to the contemporary Romanian society
- The place and the role of minority churches within the larger Romanian context
- Studies about the history and identity of the various minority Evangelical churches in the Romanian context
- Evangelical Identity
- Bible/gospel and culture
- The use of the Bible in the Evangelical context
- Theological education
- Faith and public life
- Integrating faith and learning, science, business, social work, arts, health, media, justice, law, etc.
- Christians in various professions
- Christianity and Politics
- Faith and Science
- Evangelicals and society
- Romanian religiosity
- Church life and ministry
- Interdenominational dialogue
- Ethics for various fields of activity
- The role of churches and faith based organizations in society
- Family life
- Mission of the church
- Etc.
Ongoing Projects
- Preparing an international conference for the autumn of 2010 with the theme of “The task of our theological generation,” at which the Institute will be launched
- A swiping ‘scan’ of the Romanian Evangelical scene, with the purpose of identifying past and ongoing research activities
- Research with the purpose of identifying existing Romanian Christian professional associations and the creation of a database containing the information collected (‘Who is who’ in each profession)
- Oral History Project
Executive Leadearship Team:
- Conf. univ. dr. Corneliu Constantineanu, Executive Director
- Conf. univ. dr. Alex Neagoe
- Drd. Daniel Oprean
Scientific Committee:
- Conf. dr. Emil Bartos, University of Bucharest
- Prof. dr. Otniel Bunaciu, Dean, Baptist Faculty of Theology, University of Bucharest
- Conf. dr. Corneliu Constantineanu, Evandeoski Teoloski Fakultet, Osijek, Croatia
- Conf. dr. Radu Gheorghita, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, USA
- Conf. dr. Danut Jemna, A. I. Cuza University, Iasi
- Prof. dr. Peter Kuzmic, Rector Evandeoski Teoloski Fakultet, Osijek, Croatia
- Lector dr. Marcel Macelaru, Dean, Evandeoski Teoloski Fakultet, Osijek, Croatia
- Dr. Danut Manastireanu, Director Faith & Development for Eastern Europe and Middle East, World Vision International
- Conf. dr. Alex Neagoe, West University of Timisoara
- Drd Daniel Oprean, Director educational programs, Areopagus Center, Timisoara
- Conf. dr. Parush Parushev, Pro-rector IBTS, Prague, Cech Republic
- Conf. dr. Silviu Rogobete, Consul General of Romania in South Africa
- Prof. dr. John Tipei, Rector, Pentecostal Theological Institute, Bucharest
- Prof. dr. Miroslav Volf, Director “Faith & Culture”, Yale University, USA
- Prof. dr. Haddon Willmer, Emeritus Professor, University of Leeds, UK
- Prof. dr. Christopher Wright, President, Langham Partnership International, UK
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