Book on Albert Nolan OP wins 2024 Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize

A book edited by three prominent South African Dominicans has been named as the winner of the prestigious Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize for Theological Publications.

Titled Reluctant Prophet: Tributes to Albert Nolan, the book was published jointly in 2023 by ATF Press, of Australia, andUJ Press in South Africa.

Edited by Fr Mike Deeb OP, Fr Mark James OP and Br Philippe Denis OP, the book includes 72 articles reflecting on the life, faith, activism and influence of Fr Albert Nolan OP, a leading Christian anti-apartheid figure and author of influential books on contextual theology, including his internationally acclaimed Jesus Before Christianity, first published in 1976.

The tribute book was initiated by ATF Press CEO Hilary Regan in the wake of a spontaneous outpouring of social media reflections on Nolan, following his death on October 17, 2022. Regan worked with Deeb, James and Denis to convert these reflections into a 500-page book, which was published only nine months after Nolan’s death.

ATF Press partnered with UJ Press on the South African edition, which was submitted by UJ Press manager Wikus van Zyl for consideration for the 2024 edition of the Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize for Theological Publications.

Judges Miranda Pillay, Nontando Hadebe, and Fanie Snyman selected Reluctant Prophet: Tributes to Albert Nolan as the winner from an initial list of 27 titles from 15 publishers, of which seven were shortlisted. In their adjudication, they described the diverse contributions in the book as having shined a light on Nolan as a pastor, priest, prophet and political activist and said it offered “a comprehensive view of a life’s journey for our time, and a freeing message of Christ to act fairly in today’s world”.

Van Zyl expressed pride in the award and the book, which he said aligned with UJ Press’s commitment to discourse and an ongoing pursuit of academic excellence.

Regan expressed gratitude to the editors and the contributors for a book that had profound relevance for Christians seeking to respond prophetically to the social, political and economic crises of today’s world.

The book is available from UJ Press: https://doi.org/10.36615/9781776453030