​Prof Marius Nel from the Department of Old and New Testament in the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University delivered his inaugural lecture on Thursday 24 August 2023. The title of his lecture was “Matthew, Jesus, and the invention of interpersonal forgiveness".

Nel spoke to the Corporate Communication and Marketing Division about some of the lessons the Gospel of Matthew holds for South Africans regarding forgiveness and reconciliation.

Tell us more about your research and why you became interested in this specific field.

I have always been interested in the study of the Bible. I bought my first academic commentary on a Bible book while I was still in high school! While doing my undergraduate studies, I developed a growing interest in the Gospels in the New Testament that culminated in me doing my doctoral thesis on the Gospel of Matthew. I had initially considered specialising in psychology, but after doing a course on hermeneutics taught by Prof Bernard Lategan and one on the Synoptic Gospels by Prof Bernard Combrink, I decided to specialise in the field of New Testament studies instead.

How would you describe the relevance of your work for church and society in South Africa?

There is a significant overlap between the church and society in South Africa since a very large percentage of South Africans identify as Christians. To Christians, the Bible is of crucial importance for understanding the nature of God and for providing guidance in their everyday lives. The Bible is, however, an ancient book written in a world that was very different from ours. A responsible reading of the Bible, therefore, necessitates a thorough understanding of the context in which it was written along with a sound understanding of the languages in which it was composed. It is for this reason that the academic study of the Bible is crucial for its interpretation and application in the South African context.

Based on your research, what lessons does the Gospel of Matthew hold for South Africans regarding forgiveness and reconciliation?

Matthew reminds us of the importance of interpersonal forgiveness that involves both the transgressor and the victim. Unlike personal forgiveness that depends only on the victim being willing to forgive, or third-party forgiveness that involves someone forgiving a person for their transgressions committed against another person, interpersonal forgiveness involves us seeking forgiveness from those we have harmed. It is thus a distinct and difficult form of forgiveness. It is, however, the only form of forgiveness that results in the reconciliation between the parties involved. In a country where some seek forgiveness from others but not reconciliation with them, and others reconciliation without forgiving others, Matthew thus has a distinct emphasis.

You have spent many years in the challenging environment of higher education. What keeps you motivated when things get tough?

In tough times, good colleagues make a huge difference along with students who are committed to gaining all they can from the opportunity they have to study. I also have contact with many of our students who have completed their studies. Seeing how they serve their communities and reflecting on the tremendous academic growth they have exhibited since their first year always motivates me to keep teaching and researching.

Tell us something exciting about yourself that people would not expect.

I am catnip for cats.

How do you spend your free time?

I have no free time … But if I have, I watch German detective series (Tatort) via the internet.​