Prof dr FJ van Zyl as mens, kerkman en godsdiensfilosoof

Abstract

Prof Dr FJ van Zyl as person, church personality and philosopher of religion Professor Francois Jacobus van Zyl (1913-05-06 -) served as Head of the Department of Science of Religion and Missiology, Faculty of Theology (Section: Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk), University of Pretoria, during the period 1960-1978. This article (written by a former student of his and present Head of the same Department) contains a short biography, a discussion of his views on Theology, Science of Religion and Philosophy of Religion, and a bibliography. He is portrayed as a theologian with Barthian convictions, while been influenced by Emil Brunner and to a lesser extent by Hendrik Kraemer also. His primary audience was the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk and his theological activities (especially in the period 1960-1983) must be seen in relation to his influential role in same church.