Obituary for Professor Andries Gideon van Aarde
Obituary for Professor Andries Gideon van Aarde
25 April 1951–25 November 2024
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Professor Andries Gideon van Aarde, a visionary scholar, beloved mentor, and tireless advocate for inclusivity and justice. Born on 25 April 1951 in Pretoria, South Africa, Professor Van Aarde dedicated 50 years of his life to the University of Pretoria, holding esteemed roles such as Professor of Theology, Research Manager, and Senior Research Fellow. He also served as Researcher-in-Residence at the Durban University of Technology.
Professor Van Aarde’s remarkable academic journey included earning three doctorates—in theology, ancient cultural studies, and Hellenistic Greek—and a Master’s degree in Semitic Languages. His intellectual achievements were matched by his prolific output: six monographs, more than 50 book chapters, and over 250 scholarly articles. His landmark publications, including Fatherless in Galilee (2001) and Jesus, Paul and Matthew (2020), shaped contemporary theological thought. In 2022, he received the prestigious Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize for religious and theological books in recognition of his groundbreaking work Jesus, Paul and Matthew.
A fierce advocate for justice, Professor Van Aarde devoted his career to addressing systemic injustices, including the remnants of apartheid and gender inequality. He championed the rights of marginalised communities with courage and compassion. His advocacy earned him recognition from the University of Pretoria as one of its top contributors to inclusivity during its centennial celebration.
As a leader in scholarly publishing, Professor Van Aarde served as Chief Commissioning Editor of AOSIS scholarly books, where he guided the open-access publication of over 170 books since 2015. His transformative leadership as Editor-in-Chief of HTS Theological Studies from 1985 to 2023 elevated the journal to international prominence. His strategic vision in converting HTS to open-access exemplified his dedication to making knowledge accessible to all.
Beyond his professional accolades, Professor Van Aarde was cherished for his gentle spirit, collegiality, and unwavering mentorship. Those privileged to work alongside him remember him as a trusted colleague and a friend who inspired others through his humility, intellect, and profound commitment to the greater good.
His passing leaves an immense void in the hearts of his family, colleagues, and the scholarly community. Yet, his legacy of scholarship, justice, and compassion will endure, inspiring future generations to build the inclusive and equitable world he envisioned.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time. May they find solace in the enduring impact of his life’s work and the countless lives he touched.
Professor Andries Gideon van Aarde will be deeply missed but never forgotten.