Department of Theology and Ethics
Theology and Ethics relevant for Today
The department offers a contemporary approach to the study of ecumenical theology and ethics in order to nourish discerning leaders for urbanized contexts.
The department does this by reflecting on the intersection of faith and society in an urbanized African context with cognizance of the struggle(s) for human dignity and social justice.
These reflections are placed in the everyday complexities and the dynamics of communities and in light of a hopeful future of the life-giving and loving God.
We therefore engage in the studies of Theology and Ethics by asking appropriate, critical and contemporary questions that impacts on personal life, church, communities and society. And thereby, respond to the broader task of how to live faithfully and justly-orientated amidst the diversities and complexities of our worlds in a responsible and embodied manner.
We encourage critical and constructive studies that nourish religious leaders who are theological grounded and thus, Christ centered, Spirit-filled, ecumenical orientated, Biblical rooted, sound inter-faith dialogue partners, inclusive, eco and child-friendly. We further encourage the religious leaders to live with an ethical alertness and resilience towards the challenges and opportunities of the local, global and future world in light of the gospel.
The department engages in ethical leadership studies which encourages scholars, from various disciplines, to become sound interdisciplinary scholars and agile leaders who are capable of engaging with the diversities of our local and global contexts in a respectful and hospitable manner.
We foster leadership that encourages leaders (theological and ethical) to become discerning dialogue partners that part-take through their vocation (in everyday work) in the embodiment of just, dignified and life-giving practices for the well-being of all.
Thus leaders who are well grounded in the love of God and enabled to make a difference in the various contexts of local churches, communities, the work place and that of society.
Is the relationship between leadership and integrity important to you?
Have you been called to bring about change through the Gospel, whether in church, in the marketplace or in society as a whole?
About us
For over 50 years, theological education has been integral to the Cornerstone Institute programmes. Over the years, students have been shaped to think theologically and act ethically for the betterment of society.
Today, our team provides a relevant theological program that places students’ spiritual and critical academic growth at the forefront of our teaching. We are excited to offer this program in both in-person and online modes, ensuring accessibility and flexibility for our students.
We understand that all students bring knowledge and lived experiences to the classroom and that we facilitate learning in a faithful, ecumenical sense by engaging with scholars and contexts who share our theological questions, concerns, experiences, and appreciation. Our program offering of interdisciplinary courses broadens the scope of ministry and offers choices in leadership studies, pastoral counseling, and community development.
Our team is led by three cluster leads who play a pivotal role in shaping the program’s content.
Dr. Dave Smit chairs the Biblical Studies cluster, Charmaine Manuel heads the Practical Theology cluster, and Anlené Taljaard leads the Constructive Theology cluster. They, along with several adjunct lecturers, bring their expertise to the programme’s development and lecturing.
We aim to serve individuals, the church community, and society by ‘doing theology together.’ We believe that this collaborative approach will lead to meaningful contributions and positive change.
The qualifications aim to equip faith leaders with comprehensive theological knowledge, practical ministry skills, and leadership abilities to significantly enhance their contributions to churches and communities. This is achieved by promoting social change, compassionate justice, well-being, and societal stability.
Additionally, the qualification fosters critical skills to support life-giving practices in ministry and related fields, such as counseling and community development.
The programs are designed to address crucial needs within the South African context, enabling students to:
- Develop a robust theological foundation that supports various Christian ministries.
- Acquire sound pastoral skills that integrate psychological principles.
- Implement resilient and responsible community development practices that promote human dignity, social justice, and cohesion.
The specialization fields within the qualification aim to prepare leaders for transformative roles in Christian ministry, pastoral counseling, and community development. The interdisciplinary approach allows for a rich integration of:
- Ministry: Combining general Leadership Studies theories with understanding local and global contexts.
- Pastoral Counseling: Grounding inappropriate psychological principles.
- Community Development: Approaching from a faith-based perspective with a thorough understanding of sociology and change dynamics.
These specialised leadership roles support a broader understanding of ministry and address the critical needs of communities within the South African context.
- The BTh in Community Leadership consists of the following five components with the option of a specialisation field. (See leaflet for detailed module descriptions and options)
- Component: Biblical Studies;
- Component: Christian Faith Studies;
- Component: Leadership Studies;
- Component:
- Specialisation in Christian Ministry
- Specialisation in Psychology for Pastoral councelling
- Specialisation in Sociology and community development for faith based organisations.
- Component: Research Project
- The BA Programme (Theology) allows students to study theology in the context of social sciences. (See leaflet for detailed module descriptions and options)
- The Higher Certificate in Christian Ministry allows students to orient leaders of faith communities with no formal ministerial education to a foundational understanding of core aspects of Christian ministry situated in and relevant to the complex contexts of Southern African society. (See Leaflet for detailed module descriptions).
Anlené Taljaard
Constructive Theology: Chair
Anlené Taljaard
Constructive Theology: Chair
Anlené Taljaard holds a Research Masters in Reformed Theology at the Vrije University of Amsterdam, Netherlands and a Licentiate and Masters of Divinity at Stellenbosch University. Her research focuses on Christology and theological ways to support sustainable and just societies.
She worked on several university research projects, church and community initiatives for the last 25 years ( Gugulethu, Stellenbosch University, Free State University and Heidedal) to engage on how to create a more humane, just and sustainable world. She lectured Ethics at the University of the Free State and was a part-time pastor (Uniting Reformed Church of Southern Africa) for more than 10 years.
She is keenly interested in the articulation of who Jesus Christ is and has studied the work of John Calvin, Karl Barth, and Thomas Torrance. This work enables contemporary theological responses to current times and issues. She enjoys engaging with theology that makes sense for people today while drawing from classical theological and traditional spiritual wells.
- Phone:021 448 0050
- Email:anlenet@cornerstone.ac.za
Thembelani Maqajana
Constructive Theology: Adjunct Lecturer
Thembelani Maqajana
Constructive Theology: Adjunct Lecturer
Thembelani Maqajana holds a B.TH degree from Evangelical Bible College in Association with South African Theological Seminary (SATS), an Honors Degree from Cape Town Baptist Seminary, a master's degree in Pastoral Studies from Northwest University, and a master's in Systematic Theology from Stellenbosch University. He is currently a PhD candidate at Stellenbosch University.
He is a pastor at Grace Baptist Church, which he has planted, and he loves reading systematic theology. He is married to Vathiswa Maqajana, and they are blessed with three children, Simthandile, Sinovuyo, and Simamkele.
He enjoys watching soccer and is involved in a local soccer team.
- Phone:021 448 0050
- Email:thembelanim@cornerstone.ac.za
Headman Ntlapo
Practical Theology: Adjunct Lecturer
Headman Ntlapo
Practical Theology: Adjunct Lecturer
- Phone:021 448 0050
- Email:headmann@cornerstone.ac.za
David Smit
Biblical Studies: Chair
David Smit
Biblical Studies: Chair
- Phone:021 448 0050
- Email:davids@cornerstone.ac.za
Dr. Paul Adebayo
Biblical Studies: Adjunct Lecturer
Dr. Paul Adebayo
Biblical Studies: Adjunct Lecturer
Oluwarotimi Paul Adebayo (PhD, SU) has pastored and lectured at higher institutions of learning in Nigeria before he sojourned to South Africa to obtain his PhD at Stellenbosch University.
He completed his PhD studies specializing in the New Testament in 2023. His PhD was on “Cosmological accents in Paul’s Epistle to the Romans in the light of ecological concerns: antecedents and later developments”.
He is a member of the New Testament Society of Southern Africa (NTSSA), he was the immediate past Development Officer for the society and a member of its editorial body, Neotestamentica. He works also with the Writing Laboratory of Stellenbosch University, where he assists students to be better academic writers and lead postgraduate candidates across faculties in workshops on how to write effectively their masters thesis and PhD dissertations.
- Phone:021 448 0050
- Email:ntandoyenkosim@cornerstone.ac.za
Charmaine Manuels
Practical Theology: Chair
Charmaine Manuels
Practical Theology: Chair
Charmaine Manuel (PhD candidate, Stellenbosch) worked as a Children’s Ministry director in churches and as a ministry leader in several child-focused non-profit organisations for almost 3 decades.
She is experienced in training and mobilising volunteers to “reach, rescue, root and release” children. She uses experiential education and artistic modes, such as puppetry, to equip people. Charmaine has a heart for special needs children, and volunteers in disability ministry. She also trains faith-based organisations for disability inclusion.
Charmaine believes in a love for life-long learning, where higher education is a platform to discover and hone one’s best thinking skills, for the sake of others.
- Phone:021 448 0050
- Email:charmainem@cornerstone.ac.za
Mawonga Celesi
Lecturer
Lynton Daames
Lecturer
Lynton Daames
Lecturer
- Phone:021 448 0050
- Email:ntandoyenkosim@cornerstone.ac.za
- Taljaard, A. (2024, September 12). Constructive theology as part of the narrative of theological studies at CI. Cornerstone Institute. https://cornerstone.ac.za/constructive-theology/