معرفی
Associate Professor Albín Masarik, PhD., is a faculty member at the Department of Theology and Catechetics within the Faculty of Education at Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia. A specialist in Homiletics and Practical Theology, he has been teaching at the university since its foundation in 1993 and is considered part of the first generation of teachers in his department. His academic journey began with a master's degree in theology from Charles University in Bratislava in 1983, followed by a PhD in 2004 and habilitation as Associate Professor in 2010.
- Master's in Theology (1983) - Evangelical Theological Faculty, Charles University, Bratislava
- PhD (2004) - Evangelical Theological Faculty, Charles University, Bratislava
- Habilitation (2010) - Theological Faculty of Catholic University
Professor Masarik's research focuses primarily on Homiletics, with special attention to funeral sermons, pastoral counseling, and transformative theology. His work examines the structure and effectiveness of sermons, particularly exploring how funeral sermons can or cannot comfort the bereaved. He has conducted extensive research on homiletic techniques, including the use of humor in sermon introductions and the dangers of depersonalized hope in Christian funeral preaching. His scholarship bridges biblical studies with practical pastoral application through empirical research with bereaved individuals across multiple Christian traditions.
His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on funeral sermons and commemoration practices, with multiple articles analyzing sermon structure, content, and effectiveness. He has developed a structural variable model for funeral sermons and examined cross-cultural differences in how various Christian traditions approach funeral preaching. His 2023 work on the Royová sisters connects Christian anthropology with social work, demonstrating the practical applications of theological concepts.
- Member of International Academy of Practical Theology (since 2019)
- Research mobility at International Baptist Theological Seminary, Switzerland (1987, 1989)
- Research mobility at Wheaton College, USA (1995)
- Research mobility at Belfast Bible College, UK (2008)
- Research mobility at Tyndale House, Cambridge (2006)
- Research mobility at Theologische Fakultät, Tübingen (2019)
As an educator, Professor Masarik has supervised over 100 bachelor's and master's theses in theology. His teaching focuses on Homiletics within the Bc and Mgr. study programs of Theology at Matej Bel University. He maintains regular office hours for student consultations and offers additional availability via Skype for thesis supervision, demonstrating his commitment to student mentorship.
