Paul Derengowski, Ph.D.
Finally, after many years of researching, writing, editing, submitting, and then repeating the cycle again, and again, and again, yours truly has earned his doctorate. Thank God!
On July 31, 2018, the Philosophiae Doctor in Theology with Dogmatics was conferred upon me by the Vice Chancellor, Dan Kgwadi, in the Hennie Bingle Studentesentrum, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa. What a mouthful.
There were 37 of us doctorates that received our degrees that day, but mine was the only one in Teologie met Dogmatiek.
Dr. Henk Stoker, whose is widely recognized for his work in Christian apologetics, read the following, as I stood there waiting to cross the stage to receive my degree. It is a synopsis of what we worked on that led to the doctorate.
“In his thesis, The prophetical claims of the founders of Islam (Muhammad) and Mormonism (Joseph Smith, Jr.): A comparison from a Christian apologetic perspective, Paul explored the significant claims by two of the most prominent religious leaders in human history, Muhammad, the founder of Islam, and Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of Mormonism. Their textual contributions and roles as prophets were evaluated in light of a presuppositional defense of the historic Christian faith. Although the parallels between Muhammad and Joseph Smith were significant, neither individual consistently met the criteria as biblical prophets.”
Afterwards, there was a huge luncheon given in honor of all those who graduated that day. Some of the food I recognized; some of it I did not. Either way, it was all excellent and when coupled with the new friends we made, they will be memories for the ages to reflect upon from time-to-time.
Of course, that was just the beginning of all the fun my wife and I had, which I will elaborate on later.
Suffice it to say for now, a new height has been reached. Where it will go from here, only the Lord knows.
