Curriculum Vitae

 

 

C U R R I C U L U M   V I T A E

Professor Dr. Botond GAÁL

October 31, 2017

 

Present position and address: Former Professor of Christian Dogmatics (1987–2015) at the Debrecen  Reformed Theological University. Retired in 2015.

Address: Kishegyesi út 185/4. 4031 Debrecen, Hungary    

Tel.: 36-(52)-418-911 (home);  

E-mail: bgaal@drk.hu;

Web: www.gaalbotond.reformatus.hu;

 

 

Date of birth: March 27, 1946

 

Place of birth:  Vámosatya, Hungary

 

Family status: Married. Wife Dr. Maria Czeglédy, medical doctor, the chief pediatric dentist of Debrecen. Three children: Gerzson (b. 1979), Botond (b. 1982), Veronika (b. 1985).

 

Languages spoken:  Hungarian, English – (reads German)

 

Education:  

Degree in Mathematics and Physics (1970), Lajos Kossuth University of Debrecen;     

Degree in Theology (1976), Reformed Theological Academy in Debrecen.

(Its new name from 1996: Debrecen Reformed Theological University); 

One year study at Edinburgh University, New College, (1976-77)

Ordination as Minister of the Reformed Church in Hungary (1979);

Theological Doctor's Degree (1985), Reformed Theological Academy, Debrecen;

Researcher at Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton, NJ, (1991-92; 1999, 2006);

Title of Dr. Habil in Theology, Karoli University, Budapest (2000);

Title of Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (2008)

 

Previous positions:

Principal of the Reformed Highschool of Debrecen (1982-87);

Vice-President of the Reformed College of Debrecen (1977-87);

President of the Reformed College of Debrecen (1987-91);

Dean of the Theological Academy of Debrecen (1988-89) and (1994-95);

President of the University Association in Debrecen (1994-95);

Secretary General of the Regional Center of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (1993-99)

                                                                                                                                                    

Memberships:   

Member of the General Assembly of the Reformed Church in Hungary  (1977-1997);

Advisor member of Central Committee of International Association for Christian Education

(1982-1988);

Member of "Collegium Doctorum", Reformed Church in Hungary (since 1985);

Member of Qualifying Committee, Religion, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (1990-1999);

Member of the Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton,NJ. (1991-92; 1999, 2006);

Honorary Member of American Scientific Affiliation (1992-93);

Member of the Council of the European Society for the Study of Science and Theology

(1992-2000);

Member of the Curatorium, Debreceni Szemle, Academic Quarterly for the

Debrecen Universities (1993- );

Chairman of the Curatorium, City-Foundation for the Talented Young People in Debrecen

(1995-1999);

Secretary General of the Regional Centre of the Hungarian Academy of  Sciences (1993-

1999);

Chairman of the Hungarian – Jewish Scientific and Cultural Circle in Debrecen (1997-2004);

Member of the Presidency of the World Council of the Hungarian Professors (2000-2008);

Member (elected from outside) of the Doctoral Council of Debrecen University (2004-2007);

Member (elected from outside) of the Doctoral Council of the Faculty of Humanities

Debrecen University (2008-2012);

Adviser of the Hungarian National Accreditation Committee (2010-2014);           

 

                                                                             

Citizenship: Hungarian

 

Founder and leader of a special  institution for the study of science and theology in 1993, called Steven Hatvani Theological Research Centre. Within the framework of this Centre he organized eight conferences on Science and Theology in Hungary (1993, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007) for the University Professors, highly qualified scholars and the Members of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

 

Research: ecclesiology, sacraments, theology of reformers, relationship between theology and science

 

Conferences and other activities: Has given several lectures at conferences in Hungary and abroad dealing with the relationship between Theology and Science; Has also presented lectures at various conferences – (selected):

   -   International Conference for the Promotion of Christian Higher Education (Broekelen,  

       Holland, 1984);                                                               

   -   International Association for Christian Education (Rüschlikon, Switzerland, 1986);

   -   The 14th Dialogue of Christians and Marxists (Klingenthal, France, 1987);

-   European Society for the Study of Science and Theology (Enschede, Holland, 1988);

    Geneve, Switzerland, 1990; Freising, Germany, 1994; Cracow, Poland, 1996; Durham,

    England, 1998;)

   -   Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation - World Convocation, (Seoul, Korea, 1990);

   -   Institute for Calvinistic Studies, (Seoul, Korea, 1990 and 2005)

-  American Scientific Affiliation, Metropolitan New York/New Jersey Section, Spring

    Meeting, (Princeton, NJ, USA, 1992);

   -   Pascal Centre, Redeemer College (Ancaster, Ontario, Canada, 1992);

   -   American Summer Institutes (Budapest, Hungary, 1994);

   -   International Summer University (Debrecen, Hungary, 1990; 1992; 1993; 1995, 1996,

        1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2011);

   -  Collegium Doctorum of the Hungarian Reformed Church, (Budapest and Debrecen,

    since  1982);

   -   Conseil de L'Europe et de la Faculté de Théologie Protestante, Université de  

       Strasbourg (1996);

-   Science and Theology Conference in Paris and Lyon (2000)

-   Cultures and Christianity, Conference in Holland (2000)

-   Ethnicity and the European Union (Princeton, NJ, USA, 2001)

-   Dialogue between German and Reformed Theologians (Emden, Germany, 2003)

-   Symposium for the honour of Hans Schwarz  (Regensburg, Germany, 2004)

-  Conference on Global Perspectives on Science and Spirituality (Paris, 2005)

-  Teashin Christian University and Theological Seminary (Deagu, Korea, 2005)

-  Whitehead Oberseminar, Heidelberg University (2006)

-  Regensburg University (2009)

-  Protestant University of Kolozsvár, Romania (1995, 2010, 2015)

-  Calvin Auditorium at Geneva, Schweiz (2010)

-  Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam (Calvin Conference at Doorn, NL, 2011)

-  Martin Luther University at Halle-Wittenberg (2012)

  

 

Publication: 15 books and over 300 articles

 

Edited the Year Book (1982-1988) dealing with the cultivation of learning in the Debrecen Reformed Highschool  -  collections of relevant papers by teachers, professors and professing Christians.

 

Edited the series of Science and Theology Conference held in 2003, 2005, 2007 (national ecumenical meetings of scientists and theologians)

 

Organized eight national Conferences for Science and Theology in 1993, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007

 

„Szechenyi Professorship for Research” granted by the Republic of Hungary to  distinguished university professors between 1998-2002.

 

Winner of the Global Perspectives on Science and Spirituality program of the Interdisciplnaire Universite in Paris and Elon University of North Carolina, USA, 2004