Van Eck, Ernest2017-10-252017-10-252017-08-24Van Eck, E., 2017, ‘Deconstructing the past: Behind the text, in the text, confronted by the text’, HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies 73(1), a4654. https://DOI.org/ 10.4102/hts.v73i1.4654.0259-9422 (print)2072-8050 (online)10.4102/hts.v73i1.4654http://hdl.handle.net/2263/62928This research is part of the project ‘Socio-cultural Readings’, directed by Prof. Dr Ernest van Eck, Department of New Testament Studies, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria.This article, taking the Faculty’s centenary celebration slogan of ‘Gateway to’ as cue, reflects on the contributions made by lecturers in the Department of New Testament Studies, University of Pretoria, that ‘opened the gates’ for the disadvantaged, excluded and marginalised. How did these scholars envisage inclusive believing communities and an open society with equal opportunities for all? It is argued that because of a historical, critical and close reading of the texts of the New Testament, many scholars belonging to the Department during the past 100 years were able to hear the texts of the New Testament in their original socio-historical settings (what it meant for its original readers), and therefore were able to apply these meanings in ever-changing new contexts (what it means).en© 2017. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.New TestamentLecturersCentenary celebrationCommunitiesTheology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationTheology articles SDG-10SDG-10: Reduced inequalitiesArticle