Jurie le Roux: Master of many academic trades

Abstract

In this article, Jurie Hendrik le Roux’s contribution to the theological endeavour is explored. His wide interdisciplinary interest that bears fruit in various fields of his work proved (at least in his case) that the adage ‘Jack of all trades and master of none’ is invalid. His research in sociology, Church history and philosophy will be discussed in so far as it contributed to his main interest, Old Testament Studies. In what follows, I will therefore make some remarks on Le Roux’s work on sociology, Church history, ancient Israelite historiography, research history and also on exegetical methodology, Pentateuchal studies, philosophy and hermeneutics. My method will be to indicate the links between these disciplines as facets of one huge theological endeavour.

Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article gives an overview of the theological contribution of the Old Testament scholar Jurie le Roux. Over many years, his work in the field of Old Testament Studies stretched into many other fields – as indicated in the article – such as sociology, Church history and philosophy.