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Prof W Bentley

Head | College of Human Sciences | Research Institute for Theology and Religion

Tel: 012 429 4026
Email: bentlw1@unisa.ac.za
Campus: Muckleneuk
Building: Anton Lembede
Office: 3-31

  • BTh, BA(Hons)(Theology)
  • BA(Hons)(Psychology)
  • MA
  • PhD

C2

  • Science and Religion
  • Psychology and Religion
  • Theoretical physics and Religion
  • Methodist theology

  • Systematic Theology and Ethics

Books authored

  • Bentley, W. 2009. 28 Days of Prayer during financial Crisis. Johannesburg: Africa Upper Room Ministries.
  • Bentley, W. 2010. The notion of Mission in Karl Barth’s ecclesiology. Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Publishers.
  • Bentley, W. 2011. Praying through a child’s illness: 28 Days of prayer. Nashville: Upper Room Books.
  • Bentley, W. 2012. The miracles of Jesus: Meditations and Prayers for Lent. Nashville: Upper Room Books.

Book chapters

  • Bentley, W. 2008. A theology of mission: God-talk and the role of the church. In Methodism in Southern Africa: A celebration of Wesleyan mission. Edited by W. Bentley and D.A. Forster. Johannesburg: AcadSA Publishing. p. 156-165.
  • Bentley, W. 2008. Whose truth will set us free? In What are we thinking? Reflections on church and society from Southern African Methodists. Edited by W. Bentley and D.A. Forster. Cape Town: Methodist publishing house. p. 1-17
  • Bentley, W. 2009. Hearing the voice of God. In Disciplines. Nashville: Upper Room Ministries. p. 275-282.
  • Bentley, W. 2009. Ethics and Land. In What is a good life? An introduction to Christian Ethics in 21st century Africa. Edited by L. Kretzschmar, W. Bentley and A. van Niekerk. Johannesburg: AcadSA Publishing. p. 221-242.
  • Bentley, W. 2012. The place of the Church in the new South Africa. In Between Capital and Cathedral: Essays on Church-State relationships. Edited by W. Bentley and D.A. Forster. Pretoria: Research Institute for Theology and Religion. p. 89-103.
  • Bentley, W. 2012. The problem of reality in the religion-science conversation: An African contribution. In Knowing, Believing, Living in Africa: Perspectives from Science and Religion. Edited by C.W. Du Toit. Pretoria: Research Institute for Theology and Religion. p. 21-34.
  • Bentley, W. 2013. Emergence as a challenge to the legacy of Christian dogmatics. In Chance, causality, emergence: Interdisciplinary perspectives. Edited by Cornel W. du Toit. Pretoria: Research Institute for Theology and Religion. p. 161-173.
  • Bentley, W. 2014. Ministry as bridge building: Facilitating culturally diverse faith communities in South Africa. In Churches, Blackness and Contested multiculturalism: Europe, Africa and North Africa. Edited by R. Drew Smith, William Ackah and Anthony G. Reddy. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. p.145-157.
  • Bentley, W. 2016. Political Leadership in the South African context: A Christian theological-ethical reflection. In Barentsen, Jack, Kessler, Volker & Meier, Elke (eds.), Christian Leadership in a Changing World: Perspectives from Africa and Europe. CPSLE vol 3, Leuven: Peeters Publications. p. 165-184.
  • Bentley, W., 2018, ‘A ‘strange’ theology: Engaging with Richard Kearney’, in D.P. Veldsman & Y. Steenkamp (eds.), Debating Otherness with Richard Kearney: Perspectives from South Africa, pp. 223–235, AOSIS, Cape Town. https://doi.org/10.4102/aosis.2018.BK94.10

 

  • Bentley, W. 2005. The Kingdom of God in Moltmann's eschatology. Nederduits Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif, September 2005, Vol. 3&4, p.326-335. [http://uir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/5365]
  • Bentley, W. 2007. Barth’s definition of church in politics and culture: Growth points for the church in South Africa. Hervormde Teologiese Studies. Volume 63(4). p. 1643-1661. [http://www.hts.org.za/index.php/HTS/article/view/263]
  • Bentley, W. 2009. Karl Barth’s understanding of mission: The church in relationship. Verbum et Ecclesia. Volume 30(1). p. 25-50. [http://www.ve.org.za/index.php/VE/article/view/62]
  • Bentley, W. 2009. Calvin and the Holy Spirit as fons vitae. Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae. Volume 35(2). p. 77-85. [http://uir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/4564]
  • Bentley, W. 2010.  The formation of Christian leaders: A Wesleyan approach. Koers. Volume 75(3). p. 551-566. [http://uir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/5370]
  • Bentley, W. 2010. The reconciliatory nature of Holy Communion in the Methodist tradition. Verbum et Ecclesia. Volume 32(2)  [http://www.ve.org.za/index.php/VE/article/view/501]
  • Bentley, W. 2012. Is love enough? Towards a theology of nonviolence in South Africa. Journal of Theology for Southern Africa. Volume 144 (November). p.53-68 [http://uir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/8583]
  • Bentley, W. 2012. A decade of the same-sex debate in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (2001-2011) Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae Volume 38 (Supplement). p.205-220. [http://uir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/6681]
  • Bentley, W. 2013. Defining Christianity’s “prophetic witness” in the post-apartheid South African democracy. Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae. Volume 39(1). p. 275-293. [http://hdl.handle.net/10500/9981]
  • Bentley, W. and Kretzschmar, L., 2013, Applied Ethics and tertiary education in South Africa: Teaching Business Ethics at the University of South Africa, Verbum et Ecclesia 34(1), Art. #804, 9 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ve.v34i1.804
  • Bentley, W. 2013. The search for truth: In conversation with Cornel du Toit. Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae. Volume 39 (Supplement). p.55-70. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/11844
  • Bentley, W. 2014. Methodism and transformation in South Africa: 20 years of Constitutional democracy. Hervormde Teologiese Studies. Vol. 70(1). http://www.hts.org.za/index.php/HTS/article/view/2673/5397
  • Bentley, W. 2014. Structural transformation and democratic public spaces: Reflections on Habermas and the 2014 Tshwane State of the Capital City Address. Hervormde Teologiese Studies. Vol. 70(3) http://www.hts.org.za/index.php/HTS/article/view/2755
  • Bentley, W., 2015, Postsecular democracy and the reign of God: Reading Habermas and Moltmann in South Africa, In die Skriflig 49(1), Art. #2000, 7 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ids.v49i1.2000 
  • Bentley, W., 2016, Re-visiting the notion of deep incarnation in light of 1 Corinthians 15:28 and emergence theory, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 72(4), a3425, http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v72i4.3425.
  • Bentley, W. and Williams, D.M., 2016, The covenantal relationship between the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and her Presbyters: an ethical appraisal, Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 42(2), p. 14-29.
  • Bentley, W., 2017, ‘Are we special? A critique of imago Dei’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 73(3), 4524. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v73i3.4524 
  • Bentley, W., 2017, ‘How postmetaphysical can God-talk be?’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 73(3), a4669. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v73i3.4669
  • Bentley, W., 2017, ‘Schema adjustment and Holy Communion: A transdisciplinary approach’, In die Skrifig 51(1), a2311. https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v51i1.2311
  • Bentley, W., 2018, ‘Is there a wall to peek over? Exploring approaches in the science and religion conversation’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 74(1), a5113. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v74i1.5113
  • Bentley, W., 2018, ‘Balancing the transcendence and immanence of God in Nürnberger’s theology’, Verbum et Ecclesia 39(1), a1917. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v39i1.1917
  • Bentley, W., 2019, ‘Schleiermacher: God-consciousness and religious identity’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 75(4), a5439. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v75i4.5439
  • Bentley, W. & Molobi, V.M.S., 2019, ‘Engaging the work of Professor Christina Landman’, HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies 75(1), a5492. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v75i1.5492 
  • Bentley, W., 2019, ‘Living a good life?: Considering technology and pro-social behaviour’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 75(1), a5557. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v75i1.5557
  • Williams D.M. & Bentley, W., 2020, ‘Historic Shifts towards the Decolonisation and Africanisation of Ordination in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa’, Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 46(1). https://doi.org/10.25159/2412-4265/7145
  • Williams, D.M. & Bentley W., 2020, ‘The need for continued decolonisation and Africanisation of ordination in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa’, Theologia Viatorum 44(1), a50. https://doi.org/10.4102/ TV.v44i1.50
  • Bentley, W., 2020, ‘Reflections on the characters of Dr Rieux and Fr Paneloux in Camus’ The Plague in a consideration of human suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic’, HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies 76(4), a6087. https://doi. org/10.4102/hts.v76i4.6087
  • Bentley, W., 2020, ‘If God is everywhere, is God in a black hole? A theology-science discussion on omnipresence’, Acta Theologica 40(2), http://dx.doi.org/10.18820/23099089/actat.v40i2.10
  • Bentley, W., 2021, ‘Celebrating the sacrament of Holy Communion during COVID-19: A Methodist perspective’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 77(3), a6741. https://doi. org/10.4102/hts.v77i3.6741
  • Bentley, W., 2021, ‘The Pale Blue Dot and the knowledge systems of science and religion’, Verbum et Ecclesia 42(2), a2368. https://doi. org/10.4102/ve.v42i2.2368
  • Vilakati, V.M. & Bentley, W., 2021, ‘“Same storm – Different boats”: A Southern African Methodist response to socio-economic inequalities exposed by the COVID-19 storm’, Theologia Viatorum 45(1), a136. https://doi.org/10.4102/ tv.v45i1.136
  • Williams, D.M. & Bentley, W., 2022, ‘The implications of the usages and theology of clerical dress in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa’, In die Skriflig 56(1), a2803. https://doi.org/10.4102/ids. v56i1.2803
  • Bentley, W., 2022, ‘Can we live a good life? Engaging Kretzschmar’s social ethics’, Verbum et Ecclesia 43(1), a2651. https://doi.org/ 10.4102/ve.v43i1.2651
  • Bentley, W., 2023, ‘God-talk and the question of being human’, Verbum et Ecclesia 44(1), a2752. https://doi. org/10.4102/ve.v44i1.2752
  • Bentley, W., 2023, ‘Suffering in evolutionary biology and Christian theology: Mutually exclusive notions?’, Theologia Viatorum 47(1), a182. https://doi.org/10.4102/ tv.v47i1.182
  • Bentley, W., 2023, ‘Happiness and being human: The tension between immanence and transcendence in religion/spirituality’, Religions 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14070877

National

  • Theological Society of South Africa (Johannesburg, South Africa). Title of paper: Is love enough? – Towards an ethic of non-violence in South Africa.
  • UNISA seminar (UNISA, South Africa). Title of paper: A decade of the same-sex debate in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (2001-2011).
  • Theological Society of South Africa (Pietermaritzburg, South Africa). Title of paper: Teaching Applied Ethics at institutions of higher learning.
  • South African Science and Religion Forum (Pietermaritzburg, South Africa). Title of paper: The problem of reality in the science-religion debate.
  • Christian Leadership Conference (UNISA, South Africa). Title of paper: A little goes a long way: Christian leadership in the workplace.
  • Forum for Religious Dialogue (UNISA, South Africa). Title of paper: Ethical factors underlying the liberal-conservative divide as driving force for change?
  • South African Science and Religion Forum (UNISA, South Africa). Title of paper: Emergence as challenge to the Christian Dogmatic legacy.
  • Theological Society of South Africa (Potchefstroom, South Africa). Title of paper: Post-secular democracy and the reign of God: Reading Habermas and Moltmann in 2014 South Africa. (Plenary session)
  • Accountable Leadership and Sustainability in Africa Conference (UNISA, South Africa). Title of paper: The Occupy movement and other recent forms of social resistance: A Wesleyan reflection on socio-political accountability.
  • Theological Society of South Africa Conference (Pietermaritzburg, South Africa). Title of paper: The developing theological understandings of family in Methodist liturgy.
  • South African Science and Religion Forum (UNISA, South Africa). Title of paper: Re-visiting the notion of deep incarnation in light of 1 Corinthians 15:28 and emergence theory.
  • South African Science and Religion Forum (Pretoria, South Africa). Title of paper: Claiming Imago Dei for ourselves: A theological critique of Christian anthropocentric cosmology. South African Science and Religion Forum (Pretoria, South Africa). Title of paper: How postmetaphysical can God-talk be?
  • Theological Society of South Africa Conference (Stellenbosch, South Africa). Title of paper: A ‘strange’ theology: Re-forming theology from hostility to hospitality. 
  • Theological Society of South Africa Conference (Howick, South Africa). Title of paper: The Methodist Order of Peacemakers: A critical reflection.
  • South African Science and Religion Forum (Pretoria, South Africa). Title of paper: Can technology make us better people?
  • Schleiermacher conference (Bloemfontein, South Africa). Title of paper: Schleiermacher: God-consciousness and religious identity.
  • Theological Society of South Africa Conference (Pretoria, South Africa). Title of paper: Prophetic witness, teargas and Apartheid: the theology of Peter J. Storey.
  • Seminar (Pretoria, South Africa). Title of paper: Engaging with Louise Kretzschmar’s social ethics.
  • Theological Society of South Africa Conference (Bloemfontein, South Africa). Title of paper: Do we need God if we have vaccines?
  • ProMores seminar (Pretoria, South Africa). Title of paper: On religion and morality.
  • Inaugural lecture (Pretoria, South Africa). Title of paper: God-talk and the question of being human.

International

  • 2nd Colloquium Conference of the University of South Africa (UNISA), The Institute for Diasporan and African Culture (TIDAC), and Drew University - October 3-5, 2012. (Berkeley College, New York City). Theme of conference:  Religion and Theology beyond the Ivory Tower (how do we make our thinking relevant in academia and the community). Title of paper:  “The authority of the Church’s voice in South Africa: Redefining ‘Prophetic witness’ in a secular democracy”.
  • Oxford Institute for Methodist Theological Studies, entitled, “Prophetic witness: The role of the Church in building a better South Africa”. European Society for the Study of Science and Theology (Assisi, Italy). Title of paper: Schemas and emotion: Using Holy Communion in the Methodist tradition to facilitate change.
  • Christian Leadership Cluster Conference (Wiedenest, Germany). Title of paper: Leading by example: Christian leadership in the South African context.
  • European Society for the Study of Science and Theology (Łodz, Poland). Title of paper: Claiming Imago Dei for ourselves: A theological critique of Christian anthropocentric cosmology.
  • Participated in a colloquium on nonviolence, hosted by DePaul University, Chicago.
  • European Society for the Study of Science and Theology (Lyon, France). Title of paper: Is there a wall to peek over? Exploring Metaphysics, transcendence and immanence in Science and Religion.
  • Science, Philosophy and Theology: Dialogue areas and perspectives (Warsaw, Poland). Title of paper: If God is everywhere, is God in a black hole?: A theology-science discussion on omnipresence.
  • Postgraduate Supervision Conference (Dallas, U.S.A.). Title of paper: Why a focus on Science and Religion matters: Reimagining Theological research.

Fellowship

  • Membership: Theological Society of South Africa
  • Membership: Oxford Institute for Methodist Theological Studies
  • Membership: European Society for the Study of Science and Theology
  • Fellow: International Society for Science and Religion

  • South African Science and Religion Forum

Teaching

 

Completed Master’s degree students

 

2016

 

Name: Donald Murrell Williams

Title: The Covenantal relationship between the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and her ministers: A Wesleyan theological critique

Qualification: MTh. (Systematic Theology)

Co-supervised with Prof. Christina Landman

 

2015

 

Name: Stefan Holthaus

Title: Zwischen Gewissen und Gewinn: Die Wirtschafts- und Sozialordnung des „Freiburger Bonhoeffer-Kreises“ und ihre christliche Begründung

Qualification: MTh. (Theological Ethics)

Co-supervised with Prof. Volker Kessler

2014

Name: Andi Bachmann-Roth

Title: Höher, schneller, weiter… Eine theologisch-ethische Untersuchungder Wettbewerbsordnung deutschsprachiger, neoliberaler Ökonomen- Ein Beitrag zu einer menschenwürdigen Arbeitsethik.

Qualification: MTh. (Theological Ethics)

Co-supervised with Dr. Rainer Ebeling

2013

Name: Matthias Mack

Title: EINE EMPIRISCHE UNTERSUCHUNG ÜBER DIE LEITUNGSPRAXIS IN DEN BRÜDER-GEMEINDEN IM BUND EVANGELISCH-FREIKIRCHLICHER GEMEINDEN IN DER DEUTSCHEN DEMOKRATISCHEN REPUBLIK IN DEN JAHREN 1974 BIS 1989.

Qualification: MTh. (Theological Ethics)

Co-supervised with Prof. Volker Kessler

 

Completed D students

 Name: Donald Murrell Williams

Title: The decolonisation and Africanisation of ordination in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa

Qualification: Ph.D. (Systematic Theology)

Co-supervised with Prof. Tshepo Lephakga