Seminary Dean Honored with J.N. Andrews Medallion
Originally Published in Focus Magazine
By: Ludanne Francis, IMC Student Writer
Jiří Moskala, dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and professor of Old Testament exegesis and theology, was recognized with the John Nevins Andrews Medallion during summer commencement on August 6, 2017.
Moskala said, “I was nicely surprised by the faculty choice to be the recipient of the highest Andrews University award. This public recognition brings deep feelings of satisfaction and appreciation for my leadership role and work at the SDA Theological Seminary and beyond. J.N. Andrews was a missionary to the Europeans, and, being from Europe, I feel that I am a missionary in America.”
Moskala completed his BA from Comenius Faculty of Protestant Theology in 1976. He went on to complete a Master of Theology in 1979, also obtaining two doctorates in the following decade: Doctor of Theology in 1990 from Comenius Faculty of Protestant Theology, and Doctor of Philosophy from Andrews University in 1998.
He served as a youth director for the Czecho-Slovakian Union in the 1970s and from 1979 until 1990, he served as a pastor in the Czech Republic. During this time, Moskala also taught Old Testament and Systematic Theology. By 1990, Moskala was the principal of the theological seminary in Prague. He also began teaching full-time at the seminary in 1990. While in the Czech Republic, Moskala served as director of both the education and health departments.
Since the beginning of his service at Andrews, Moskala has served in various capacities. He has been a contract teacher, an associate professor, director of the MDiv program, professor of Old Testament exegesis and theology, chair of the Department of Old Testament, and now head of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.
In addition to teaching dozens of courses over his time at Andrews, Moskala has volunteered his time to his church, school and community. He has been a Sabbath school teacher for almost 20 years, served as a deacon, is a member of the Shabbat Shalom Committee, and serves as president of the Adventist Theological Society. He also currently serves as the vice president for Global Outreach for the Adventist Theological Society and is a current member of the SDA Bible Commentary Board and associate editor of the SDA International Bible Commentary.
“God’s providence and guidance in my life enables me to do many things in different fields of expertise and I praise His goodness and faithfulness. I am grateful for my outstanding faculty and staff who are completely dedicated to God’s cause. It’s a true joy for me to work closely together with them,” Moskala commented.
He is a prolific writer, having published seven books since 1994. Additionally, he has published more than 115 scholarly articles in various journals and periodicals, contributed more than 45 chapters to various books, authored four encyclopedia articles, written four book reviews in academic publications and authored almost three dozen newsletter articles. Over the years he has presented more than 115 of his scholarly papers and delivered more than 300 sermons at Bible conferences, evangelistic series and revival meetings.
Moskala was recognized for his profound contribution to the area of biblical research with the Andrews University Faculty Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity Award for the 2000-2001 school year. Most recently, he received the 2012 Siegfried H. Horn Excellence in Research Award.
He received the J.N. Andrews Medallion for his leadership in theological education on a global level and his vision for centering mission for the church in deep biblical understanding.
See the article on page 14 of FOCUS Magazine.
