New College Bulletin 2016
Our students and programmes: An overview
New College Alumni news Research New Books news update page 03 page 10 page 14 page 16 Foreword Contents New College news In this year’s New College Bulletin New College News...... 03 For more on the following and other news items about staff activities and New College events, go to the web site our focus is on our students. of the School of Divinity: www.ed.ac.uk/divinity/news-events. So, we feature brief overviews Our Students and Programmes...... 08 of our undergraduate students Alumni news...... 10 Rooms named in honour of two and programmes (by Dr. Alison New Staff...... 12 remarkable female academics Jack) and our postgraduate students and programmes (by In memoriam...... 13 In coming months, two teaching rooms will Professor Susan Hardman Moore). be renamed in honour of former members Major research projects update...... 14 of staff Marcella Althaus Reid and Elisabeth As you will see from their comments, Reading matter: staff publications...... 16 Templeton. New College continues to thrive, with Scholarships update...... 18 a robust number of applicants each Marcella Althaus Reid (1952–2009) was the year at all levels. We also continue Upcoming events...... 20 first woman to hold a Professorial Chair in New to draw our postgraduate students College. Since her untimely death, her work on from a wide variety of countries. contextual theology has continued to be studied Recent reviews of our operation have and discussed across the world. Room 1.07 produced commendations. But the Lifelong (which was formerly the Student Common Room) reviews that mean the most to us are will be renamed the Marcella Althaus Reid Room from our students and our alumni! community: where a portrait of Marcella will be displayed. In this Bulletin we also feature a Lecture Room 1 (the largest lecture theatre in variety of news about academic staff New College) will be redesignated the Elizabeth (including new appointments), recent stay in touch! Templeton Room in honour of the first woman books published by them, examples to hold a full-time lectureship in the Faculty of Divinity. She passed away in 2015. A photograph of major research projects led by Keep us posted! academic staff, major contributions of Elizabeth (shown here) is being enlarged and Please let us know when you move home or change email address so we to our scholarship funds, a couple of framed for display in the lecture theatre. can keep you informed with what’s happening at the School of Divinity the current postgraduate scholarship and across the University. By keeping your contact details up to date recipients, an unusual find in the New you’ll receive our publications, and you can also make the most of your College Library, and other items. exclusive alumni benefits and services package, which includes careers Sabbath in the Glen receives a full restoration Among coming events, I want to support and ongoing access to many University facilities, often at a and is now in display in the New College Library draw attention to the New College special rate. Alumni Reunion on 4th June. You will This impressive painting, held in A significant period piece, this work The character of the heads of this To find out more about how you can keep in touch and get involved, please find more information on this special storage for many years at New depicts Thomas Guthrie preaching typically Scottish audience, intent visit www.ed.ac.uk/alumni or email [email protected] event on page 20. College, was recently restored and to a congregation which included on the words of the preacher, are is currently displayed in the central many women and children who admirably depicted; Harvey is here We also encourage our former Connect with us hall of the library above the Funk would probably have been known at his best.’ students to visit our website, which You can also find us on: Reading Room. to the artist. One critic has written includes news about events and of Harvey’s painting: ‘The varied developments throughout the year: The large scale painting, created in www.tinyurl.com/edalumni grouping of the numerous company, www.ed.ac.uk/divinity. And we want 1858 by the distinguished Victorian /SchoolOfDivinityEdinburgh seated or recumbent on the heathery to hear from you too. So, let us know artist Sir George Harvey (1806–1876), and /edalumni slope, shows a finer sense of developments in your life. You can /edinburghalumni depicts an idealised account of a composition and a more learned email to me: [email protected]. Free Church service in the open air @SchoolofDiv and subordination of details to the /EdinburghAlumni somewhere in the Scottish highlands. Emeritus Professor Larry Hurtado @EdinburghAlumni masses than do the earlier pictures. College Bulletin Editor
2 | New College Bulletin 2016 | 3 Professor Mona Siddiqui contributed Our PhD student, Jaeho Jang, received Dr Joshua Ralston’s op-ed on Islam to panel on multicultural societies Professor Timothy Lim a prestigious award Dr Joshua Ralston has written an op-ed analysis gives lectures at the Professor Mona Siddiqui took part in a panel discussion Congratulations to Jaeho Jang (PhD student), who was awarded the 2015 of Christian understanding of Islam prompted by a Chinese University of on Britain’s religious complexion: Who Cares if Britain Peacock Prize for his essay on evolutionary theodicy in Christian theology and recent controversy in Wheaton College and other Isn’t a Christian Country? sponsored by the British Hong Kong Daoism. This prize is awarded by the Science and Religion Forum every year in developments in the online resource Religion and Academy, 28 January. honour of Arthur Peacocke, and recognises the best student piece of work in Ethics, published by the Australian Broadcasting Professor Timothy Lim gave the science and religion field submitted that year. Corporation: The Same God, or the One God? On She has also recently been invited to join the Franco-British the 2016 Chuen King Biblical the Limitations and Implications of the Wheaton Council, created as a joint initiative of President Georges Lectures in the Chinese Affair. He gave the 2016 Duerr Lectures, 21-23 Pompidou and Prime Minister Edward Heath, when Britain University of Hong Kong, 24-28 February, Bearing Witness: Reframing Christian- joined the European Community. February 2016, on the topic: Muslim Encounters, Houston, Texas, the series The Canon of Jewish Scriptures. Its aim is to promote better understanding between Britain co-sponsored by St. Philip Presbyterian Church and France and to contribute to the development of joint and the Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance, action through meetings of leading representatives of the Rice University. worlds of culture, science, education, politics and business in the context of a developing Europe and of an increasingly globalised community.
Emeritus Professor Larry Our PhD Student, Laura Mair, awarded the Hope Trust Hurtado lectured in the Postdoctoral Fellowship for 2016-18
Keeping up with Professor Jolyon Mitchell University of Calgary and Laura Mair has been awarded Marquette University Back in February 15, Professor Jolyon Mitchell gave a TEDx talk entitled the Hope Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship for 2016-18. She will Swords into Ploughshares: Arms into Art to an audience of over 500, as Emeritus Professor Larry Hurtado be undertaking research on part of the TEDx University of Edinburgh Conference in February 2015. gave the 2016 Craigie Memorial the educational significance of Lecture in the University of Calgary, Professor Mitchell’s illustrated presentation explored how the arts can Dr Thomas Guthrie’s ragged 12 January: A Bookish Religion: contribute to building peace. This was followed up by a show in the Edinburgh school in Victorian Edinburgh. Reading, Writing, Copying, and Festival’s Fringe with Dr Lesley Orr, again on the topic of the use of arts Disseminating Texts in Early in peace building. Both Dr Lesley Orr and Professor Mitchell also spoke Her research on the subject has Christianity. He gave the Pere at Scotland’s History Festival in November 2015. Dr Orr on: The Women already contributed to inform an Marquette Lecture in Marquette Who Widnae Haud Their Wheesht – Scotswomen who fought for equality, important exhibition in the Victoria University, 10 April: Why on Earth did Professor Mitchell on his recent book: Martyrdom: A Very Short Introduction and Albert Museum under the name, Anyone Become a Christian in the (Oxford University Press). On their own: The story of Britain’s First Three Centuries. child migrants told for the very first More recently. Professor Mitchell also served on the International Ecumenical time. The exhibition, focused on His book, Destroyer of the gods: Early Film Jury at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2015. The Jury’s prize was exploring the experiences of British Christian Distinctiveness in the Roman awarded to Mia Madre (directed by Nanni Moretti). For more about the 2015 child migrants in the 19th and 20th World (Baylor University Press) will festival, other awards and some of the most memorable films screened there centuries. appear in September 2016. see Professor Mitchell’s illustrated essay on ‘The Many Faces of Cannes’ at: edin.ac/cannes
4 | New College Bulletin 2016 | 5 The School of Divinity launches two new online From the Mound to the It’s identified as an incendiary Alumni participate in the School programmes in Philosophy, Science, and Religion Museum: a piece of device that was dropped by a of Divinity’s first careers event German Zeppelin during the The School of Divinity has embarked on a new venture to make our New College history attack on Edinburgh on 2/3 April 1916. Former New College teaching expertise in science and religion much more freely and Quietly tucked away in a small Librarian Mitchell Hunter, in widely available. The School of Divinity has teamed-up with the School strong room in New College his chapter in New College of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Science (PPLS) to create two Library is an object and Edinburgh: A Centenary History new online programmes in ‘Philosophy, Science and Religion’. picture collection containing (Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, an array of surprising objects. 1946), records: ‘a primitive Being online, these programmes will the MSc in Philosophy, Science and only university in Europe which both The picture collection contains incendiary bomb dropped by be available globally, and we fully Religion, commencing September specialises in the area, and which portraits and photographs of a raiding Zeppelin in the First Left to right: David Plews, Dr Alison Jack, Rachel Kinnaird; Ellie anticipate that they will attract a high 2017, which will cover more advanced also has expertise in the provision of individuals and groups from World War on the pavement Williams and Chris Turpin level of interest. material, and will provide students massive online teaching, Edinburgh is New College, the Church of in front of the statue of the In February 2016, an event was held at the with the opportunity to explore their uniquely situated to make a difference Scotland and the Free Church of Highland soldier just opposite School of Divinity which brought Alumni The first of these new online own interests in depth, with the full here. Scotland. The object collection the College, which was promptly from many walks of life into conversation programmes will be a MOOC support of our academic staff. To this contains personal belongings seized by the janitor after it with current students. Four New College For more information about these (Massive Open Online Course) in end, we have just appointed Dr Jamie of ministers and New College had fizzled out and deposited graduates from a variety of time periods projects, contact Dr Mark Harris ‘Philosophy, Science and Religion’, Collin, a philosopher of science, as staff such as Thomas Chalmers, among our collection of grim and degree programmes spoke about (email: [email protected]) or curiosities’. opening Autumn 2016, which will be Lecturer in Philosophy, Science and objects related to New College ways in which their student experience Dr James Collin (James.Collin@ and University life and several had equipped them for the careers they free to all with an internet connection. Religion in the School of Divinity. We were delighted to be able ed.ac.uk). items brought back by ministers had embarked upon. It will feature online teaching material to work with National Museums from their nineteenth century (e.g., lectures, interviews, movies, Although the interaction between Scotland to move this item out The breadth of career choices open to science and religion is of enormous travels in the Holy Land. etc.) from some of the leading of long term storage at New our graduates was demonstrated by the public interest and significance, it international scholars in the area, Recently we were fortunate to College Library to a new home panellists, who consisted of a primary school has too often become entrenched together with abundant online input have the assistance of two St at the National Museum of teacher, the regional managing director of from the home team in Edinburgh. in poorly-informed and opinionated Andrews University Museums Flight. http://www.nms.ac.uk/ a fund management company, a training debate. There is an urgent need for Studies students in listing and national-museum-of-flight/ development manager for the Ministries Alongside the MOOC, we are also educational resources in the area re-packing the collection, and Council of the Church of Scotland, and a creating an online masters degree, that are widely available. As the an interesting object came to senior associate (Finance Consulting) for light. a major professional services firm. Each spoke warmly about the both the academic Farewell to Sheila Dunn, grounding and the social skills they gained while they were students. They encouraged BLIK’s 7 original cartoon strips donated to the New College Library Ms Sheila Dunn, Library Services current students to be confident about the Manager in the New College Library, abilities and skills they will have developed Students of the late 1970s will recall the celebrated cartoons is moving on to a new professional through their degree as they approach the which depicted members of the Divinity faculty under attack challenge. jobs market. from an alien student menace, the Phundies. The cartoons She will be known to many staff and students over a number of years The event was a collaboration between the blended the TV sci-fi series, Blake’s 7, with the arcane as a cheerful and helpful leader among the Library staff. School, the University’s Development and religious concept of a ‘blik’ in the analytic philosophy of Alumni Office and the Careers Service. R. M. Hare. Since the start of her appointment, Sheila has been responsible for Constructive and encouraging conversations the Helpdesk including the line management of staff, estates and continued over refreshments after the The moving force behind Blik’s 7 was Andrew Maclean buildings, and the organization, supervision and promotion of the presentations, and students reported that who graduated in 1979. He was ably supported by Muir Library collections. One of her annual responsibilities was organising the event had been a great success. Many Donaldson, Bill Armstrong and Bryan Low. Sadly, Andrew the New College Booksale, in which donated and excess duplicate asked for further, similar events to be planned. passed away last October shortly after his retiral from St volumes were put on sale to staff and students. Sheila will go on to If you are a School of Divinity Graduate and Andrew’s Church in Port Glasgow. In the weeks before his work for Barnardo’s Bookshops in Edinburgh. So, she stated, ‘my would be interested in returning to share your death, he donated the originals of the cartoons to the New life will be one continual book sale from now on’! We wish her well in experiences, please contact C.J. Cochran College Library. These have now been digitised and can be her new venture, and express our gratitude for her conscientious and ([email protected]). cordial service over these many years. viewed online in this address: edin.ac/blik7
6 | New College Bulletin 2016 | 7 Dr Alison Jack, Director of Undergraduate Studies at the School of Divinity, on this year’s undergraduate student cohort and developments in our degree programmes.
In the current academic year we Obviously the benefits of having our welcomed 82 new undergraduate New College Library on site, and the students onto our degree Rainy Hall and its kitchen as a hub programmes, and welcomed a for relaxing, chatting and studying, further 186 students back to continue remain as strong as they have ever their studies with us at New College. been. We are very proud of the level A new joint degree programme (with of support offered to students here, the School of Education), ‘Primary and we have a good reputation Reporting on our undergraduate Education with Religious Studies’, across the University for being a brings over 30 new students onto our caring and compassionate School. and postgraduate students introductory-level Religious Studies core courses each year, and adds “THE BENEFITS OF HAVING and programmes positively to the mix of students who OUR NEW COLLEGE LIBRARY identify with the School of Divinity. ON SITE, AND THE RAINY HALL AND ITS KITCHEN AS A HUB Overall, we have 112 students FOR RELAXING, CHATTING AND studying for our MA (Honours) in STUDYING, REMAIN AS STRONG Theology, 67 on our MA (Honours) AS THEY HAVE EVER BEEN. Religious Studies programme, and 8 on our BD/MDiv programmes. A further 66 are doing joint honours in Philosophy and Theology, and The proportion of female to male 4 in Divinity and Classics. Eleven Undergraduate students remains students are on our Religious steady (currently 169:99), as does assessors, Professors Karen Kilby of us second in Theology/Religion Professor Susan Hardman-Moore, Director of Studies and English Literature the ratio of Scottish/EU to Rest of Postgraduate Studies, on our current postgraduate Durham and Christopher Rowland within the UK. programme. the UK students (97:164). Each of Oxford. The School came through year we welcome a small number students and recent review of postgraduate provision. The Graduate School shapes its While our UG student body is made with flying colours. We were especially of undergraduate year-abroad students, but also must be shaped up of people taking a variety of The news from the Graduate School for example, by working in partnership commended for our innovative work exchange students (and we would to mentor postgraduate tutors; by them. Postgraduates bring degree programmes, in fact most of is good. New College continues its with postgraduates to achieve Athena welcome more), and we send four our courses are shared across our for the strong support the School sharp minds that create the next or five of our students to America, tradition of attracting students from SWAN gender equality awards. Our degrees. The sense of community office gives to postgraduates; for generation of scholarship. The India and the Netherlands for a around the world. At present we aim is to support all students to in New College is enhanced by this excellent reports on the quality of intellectual agenda for the School semester or a year. The New College have around 170 postgraduates: achieve their best. sharing of courses. Our students students’ experience with us; for the is constantly changing. Innovative undergraduate community continues almost 130 PhD students, more than are also free to take courses from “IT IS A PLEASURE TO REPORT close working partnership between and interdisciplinary approaches to thrive in all its diversity. 40 on taught or research Masters offerings in the wider University, THAT THE QUALITY OF academics and the postgraduate permeate all the ‘traditional’ programmes. Scottish and other especially pre-honours courses OUR PROVISION HAS BEEN student committee; for the numerous disciplines. We are also promoting UK students are working alongside (‘level 8’), and we benefit from RECOGNISED IN TWO RECENT strategies the School uses to support new research areas, such students from a wide range of other students from across the world. We REVIEWS. students’ integration into life at New as Science and Religion and disciplines in the University taking are a lively community, of all faiths College and in Scotland. This positive Christian-Muslim Relations. our courses. and none, from widely differing review followed a strong verdict in the cultural backgrounds. Both staff Most recently – in 2015, in a major UK Research Excellence Framework If you would like to know more and students know this can present exercise that happens every five years (2014) on the quality of our ‘Research about opportunities in our challenges, and the School makes it a – the University audited the Graduate Environment’: 100% at the top Graduate School, we would love priority to affirm equality and diversity: School with the help of two expert grades (70% 4*, 30% 3*), locating to hear from you.
8 | New College Bulletin 2016 | 9 Alumni news Alumni survey
We want to know what our alumni think about their time New College Korean Alumni Creative Awards. Learn: Eldership, various developments in religion and Rev Alan Sorensen (MTh 1993) here, and about how they can continue their association Association the Church’s in-house book for culture: https://davidgrobertson. Rev Alan Sorensen, a Church of Scotland minister with us. So, in April 2015 we conducted a survey of over church elders, was acclaimed for its wordpress.com/. in Greenock, has recently been given the very 1700 alumni of the School of Divinity, which produced 276 insightful articles, touchable pages Rev Ben F. Eidse’s rare honour of being commissioned as a Deputy completed responses. Here are some results of that survey. and fresh design. The series is Lieutenant. The Lord Lieutenant is the Queen’s continuing with the publication this representative in a county, and appoints Deputies Who Responded? month of: Learn: Exploring Faith. to represent the Sovereign when he or she is unable • 59% had studied for an undergraduate degree with us, to. Deputy Lieutenants often present the Queen’s David was recently appointed 41% for a postgraduate degree to the post of Training Officer ‘telegram’ at 100th birthdays, Diamond Wedding with the Ministries Council of Anniversaries as well as being part of the team • 64% of respondents were male, 36% female the Church of Scotland, where which organises royal visits to the area. New College alumni in Korea • The matriculation dates of respondents ranged from he leads the research, planning form a lively and loyal group, and Mr Sorensen was one of the first graduates of the 1950 to 2014 and implementation of training during the annual conference of MTh course in Media and Ethics which combined programmes for all ministries • 17% were under 30 years old; 20% were 30-40 years the Korean Theological Association his two spheres, ministry and broadcasting. He personnel. He previously was old; 14% were 40-50 years old; 50% were 50+ years old held in October 2015, Professors retired in January after 23 years from his Sunday Congregational Learning David Fergusson and Brian Stanley Morning programme ‘Down to Earth’ which was • 64% live in the UK, 16% in the USA, the remainder in Development Worker for the Church. Rev Ben F. Eidse’s recent book, met with alumni attending the The Disciple and Sorcery: The networked over 7 of Scotland’s local radio stations various other countries conference. Dr David Robertson (PhD, 2014 Lunda-Chokwe View (Cambridge: but he still regularly presents Pause for Thought on Tutor and part-time Lecturer) Cambridge Scholars Publishing, BBC Radio2 What We Learned In 2009 our Korean alumni provided 2015), is his career study of that the initial contributions to establish Rev Dr Russell Barr (BD Divinity, 1978) • Our alumni overwhelmingly expressed a strong sense blended tribe’s world view, a work the John Ross Scholarship in of connection with New College/School of Divinity, and which he commenced during his New College, which is intended feel that continuing contact with us is important, wanting studies in New College 1992-1996. particularly to assist Korean information about developments, staff news, and postgraduate students. He enrolled for the PhD in New events. College in 1992, but his studies were Rev David Plews • Younger alumni would value help in networking and interrupted by wife’s major stroke in (MTh Ethics, 2013) career-development. 1996 required him to devote his time to her as primary care-giver for nearly • 80% read and appreciated the New College Bulletin, sixteen years. After her death in and 68% had visited the School website since 2010, he was able to complete and graduating. The Church of Scotland has nominated Dr David Robertson is the co-founder publish the study that he began here Rev Dr Russell Barr, minister of Cramond Kirk, as • Respondents offered a number of ideas about what and editor of the Religious Studies over twenty years ago. It has been the next Moderator of the General Assembly. Russell they particularly liked in the New College Bulletin. The project, an international collaborative hailed by scholars as a valuable graduated BD in 1978 since when he has served most frequently mentioned were these: interviews with enterprise producing weekly contribution combining lexicography in parish ministry. During his time in Edinburgh he academic staff, opinion pieces, research news, news podcasts with leading scholars on and anthropological insights. has founded and led Fresh Start, a charity which of events and developments within New College, and the social-scientific study of religion. Recently turned 87, he resides in enables those who have been homeless to become historical items on New College. Steinbach, Manitoba. He has recently become co-editor established in their own homes. • There were also a number of suggestions about what of the journal, Implicit Religion, David Plews is on a roll. His work We wish Russell well on his moderatorial travels in other content we might include in future issues of the which explores and challenges the at the Church of Scotland achieved 2016/17 and look forward to his visit to the annual Bulletin, and we will be considering them closely as we boundary between religion and national recognition in October when carol service at New College in December 2016. plan for the future. Among them was the suggestion non-religion. He also has his own a publication he edits was nominated that we might highlight more of the diversity of career blog-site where he comments on in The Drum’s 2015, Scottish paths taken and available to our alumni.
10 | New College Bulletin 2016 | 11 New staff Dr Joshua Ralston In memoriam
In the past year several former at New College from 1970–79, where New College continues to enjoy Religion, as part of a Templeton-funded Dr Nina Fischer colleagues passed away. We note she met her husband Douglas, who the addition of new members of project: Philosophy, Science and briefly and with gratitude their lectured in New Testament. Her books academic and support staff, who Religion Online. He studied philosophy lives and contributions to New include God’s February: Life of Archie bring a richness and diversity of at St Andrews and Edinburgh, College. Craig (1991) and The Strangeness of expertise. completing his PhD in the philosophy God (1993). of mathematics in 2013. As a Dr Joshua Ralston is Lecturer in Rev Dr Andrew Morton Dr Linden Bicket postdoctoral researcher at Edinburgh, Muslim/Christian Relations. His The Centre for Theology and Public Rev Dr Andrew Morton (24 May 1928 he helped to build the online courses research and teaching are focused Issues recently organised a mini- 7 January 2016) will be remembered Introduction to Philosophy and on the theological, legal, political, conference to celebrate Elizabeth’s well by staff and students over many Philosophy and the Sciences, which and scriptural encounters between lifelong contribution to the church years. After a number of other posts, have attracted hundreds of thousands Christians and Muslims across the and the academy. We extend our of students. he served as Associate Director of centuries with a particular interest in condolences to Douglas, and to the Centre for Theology and Public Protestant Christianity and Sunni Islam. Kirsten and Calum. His research focusses on the Issues in New College. This was His current book project, Law and intersection of issues in philosophy of expressive of his life-long concern for Dr Nina Fischer is a Teaching Fellow the Rule of God, leverages political Dr Ruth Page religion, epistemology, metaphysics, the social implications of Christian in Religious Studies. She brings her theology and comparative theology to Dr Linden Bicket is a Teaching Fellow and pragmatist conceptions of faith. He also served enthusiastically expertise in Jewish, Israel/Middle engage longstanding debates over the focused on religion and the arts, language. for a number of years as Alumni place and function of law in Muslim- and specialising particularly in the Eastern, Holocaust, Cultural, and Rev. Dr. Leah E. Robinson Officer for New College, and edited Catholic literary imaginary. Before Memory Studies to the Religious Christian relations. Studies subject area. Previously, Nina the New College Bulletin. coming to New College, she studied Prior to moving to Scotland, he was Scottish Literature and Language at held positions and fellowships at the Dr Alison Elliot, with whom he worked Assistant Professor of Theology the University of Glasgow, where she University of Konstanz (Germany), the in the Church of Scotland Church Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel), at Union Presbyterian Seminary in completed her PhD in 2011. She was and Nation Committee said Andrew and the Australian National University. Richmond, Virginia. He also lived Dr Ruth Page died on her 80th later a postdoctoral research fellow Morton was a model of gracious at the Institute for Advanced Studies and taught theology and Christian- birthday on 15 September, 2015. She Dr Zachary Purvis compassion and generosity. ‘He had in the Humanities at the University of Muslim Relations in Cairo, Egypt and served as a lecturer and then senior a restless intellectual curiosity and Edinburgh. Ramallah, Palestine, experiences that lecturer in Systematic Theology at the honesty not to settle for easy Rev. Dr. Leah E. Robinson is the newly shaped his abiding interest in Arab New College from 1979 until her Her first monograph, entitled George answers’. appointed Lecturer in Practical and Christianity and modern Arab Islamic retirement in 2000. The author of Mackay Brown and the Scottish Pastoral Theology. She obtained a BSc Thought. four scholarly books including God Catholic Imagination, is forthcoming Mrs Elizabeth Templeton in Psychology and Religious Studies and the Web of Creation (1979), she with Edinburgh University Press in and her MDiv from Mercer University devoted much time to the wider work 2016. Linden is reviews editor for the (USA) in the area of Practical Theology Staff Farewells of the churches both in Scotland and journal of Catholic Scotland, Innes and Religious Conflict. She previously This past year, two colleagues on overseas. As a pastor, Ruth offered Review. held a post in Practical Theology and Dr Zachary Purvis joined New College academic staff departed to take up invaluable support to ministerial Peacebuilding at the University of as a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow. Dr James Collin important new posts elsewhere, and candidates, becoming the first Glasgow from 2010-2015. He received the DPhil in Oxford we wish them continued successes: woman to be appointed Principal of University in 2014. His research Her active research interests include New College (1996–99). focuses on 19th-century European Dr. Nicholas Adams was appointed practical theology, liberation theologies, Professor of Philosophical Theology Mrs Elizabeth Templeton, the first sectarianism in the Scottish and theology and religious history. His Always popular with her students, she in the University of Birmingham. woman to hold a full-time lectureship Northern Ireland contexts, and book, Theology and the University in was presented with her portrait (by at New College, died on 17 April contextual theologies of reconciliation Nineteenth-Century Germany (Oxford: Dr. Afe Adogame was appointed Ewan McClure) in June 2012 at what Oxford University Press) appears later 2015, aged 69. An exciting and and violence. Current book projects the Maxwell M. Upson Professor of proved to be almost her last public this year. popular teacher, Elizabeth challenged include a study into the way ‘negative’ Christianity and Society in Princeton appearance. her students to ask difficult questions Dr James Collin is a newly-appointed practices of theology are reflected as Theological Seminary. of themselves and others. She taught Lecturer in Philosophy, Science and politics.
12 | New College Bulletin 2016 | 13 Research update Professor Jane Dawson’s book John Knox, shortlisted AHRC grant award for Dr Holtschneider: for the Saltire History book Jewish Lives, Scottish Spaces – Jewish of the year – 2015
Migration to Scotland, 1880-1950 John Knox by Professor Jane Dawson (Yale University Press, 2015) was shortlisted for the Saltire History Book of the Year Award for 2015. The book has been hailed as a major contribution to our understanding of this major figure in Scottish history. Professor Dawson reflects here on the work over a number of years that led to the book:
It all started long ago and far away to Ireland and details of his secret –the 1970s and Durham University visit to England in 1566-7. Library – when I had my first Though I assumed I had been prolonged exposure to John Knox. acquainted with him for forty I had the six volumes of Knox’s Works years, Knox’s story kept producing permanently on loan because Knox surprises. The book tried to show was the best friend of Christopher the private man alongside the Goodman, the subject of my doctoral public figure who was a British and Dorrith Sim née Oppenheimer and her parents Trudi and Hans The Institute Players, a Glasgow-based Yiddish Theatre Company, celebrating thesis. Producing the biography of European Reformer as well as being Oppenheimer. Dorrith came to Scotland on the Kindertransport, winning a competition trophy, 1950s.* John Knox, published in April 2015, was raised by a foster family and stayed here for the rest of her life.* a Scottish one. Writing the biography brought things full circle. This book was more challenging than I had rested upon major new material Dr Hannah Holtschneider (University of Edinburgh, Principal collections donated by refugees from anticipated as I sought to make it as that gave new insights into Knox’s Investigator) and Dr Mia Spiro (University of Glasgow, Co-Investigator) Nazi Germany will form the primary easy as possible for readers to follow life and allowed the familiar have won a grant of £619,273 for a three year research project on Knox’s words and deeds. source material. material – those six volumes – Jewish migration to Scotland, beginning September 2015. to be understood in a fresh way. The focus of the investigation The project, which is partnered with collections underpinning this AHRC- is threefold: Dr Holtschneider is I had recently discovered the the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre, funded project and being utilised to concentrating on researching manuscript papers of Christopher Jane has also appointed a post-doctoral interpret Jewish history in Scotland’. collections of child refugees from Goodman in Ruthin, North Wales Dawson researcher, Dr Deborah Butcher, and ‘Quite simply, this life of John Knox renders all his previous biographies Nazi Germany, Dr Spiro engages and in Chester and they contained Johnane D awsonnox As Jews in Scotland moved between obsolete. Excitingly enriched by new manuscript discoveries, it expertly J K will run an extensive programme of fillets Knox’s genius for personal myth-making, but leaves him still the most previously unknown letters from Jane Dawson has written the definitive life primarily with the cultural production significant Scotsman of his generation. The result is surprising, fascinating and within, into and out of local and of John Knox, a leader of the Protestant and a major achievement of scholarship.’ public activities. Reformation in sixteenth-century Scotland. Knox—Diarmaid MacCulloch,to Goodman. author of A History ofIn Christianity: those The Firstletters transnational spaces, the objects they of Yiddish Theatre, while Dr Butcher is Based in large part on previously unavailable the Scot revealed Three Thousand Years to his close friend sources, including the recently discovered papers interested in the formation of women’s John of Knox’s close friend and colleague Christopher Harvey Kaplan, Director of the Scottish saved, used and created reveal how ‘This is an excellent book, a fine piece both of research and of writing, Goodman, Dawson’s biography challenges the Jane Dawson is John Laing Professor of andworries displays a finely about balanced judgement. the It progress gets as far as possible “underof the traditionally-held stereotype of this founder of Reformation History, School of Divinity, Jewish Archives Centre, said: Jews self-identified as they negotiated identity in Zionist organisations. the skin” of its subject and yet manages to avoid uncritical or overflowing the Presbyterian denomination as a strident and University of Edinburgh. An expert on nox sympathy for him. This balanced and insightful biography should be K misogynist religious reformer whose influence sixteenth-century Scotland and Calvinist politics Scottish Reformed Kirk and they definitive for many years to come.’ rarely extended beyond Scotland. She maintains issues such as antisemitism, and religion, she is the author of The Politics of —Euan Cameron, author of The European Reformation instead that John Knox relied heavily on the Religion in the Age of Mary Queen of Scots (2000) ‘We look forward to working with this The project has a blog which showed how ill-health and depression support of his ‘godly sisters’ and conferred as well and Scotland Re-formed: 1488–1587 (2007), and assimilation, cultural loss, memory as argued with Mary, Queen of Scots. He was a the editor of a number of collections of primary ‘Full blooded and bloody, compelling and engrossing, the life of John Knox haunted his final years. In addition, proud member of the European community of exciting new project over the next three is regularly updated https:// sources. presented by Jane Dawson is a masterpiece of biography. The Scotsman rages and the Holocaust, nationalism and against all foes, bows in prayer to a mighty God, and transforms a nation, all Reformed Churches and deeply involved in the religious reformations within England, Ireland, years. The wide-ranging collections of broughtthe torich life by Dawson’s new deep material knowledge and vivid plugged prose. Marvellous.’ some jewishmigrationtoscotland. France, Switzerland and the Holy Roman belonging. —Bruce Gordon, author of Calvin gaps in Knox’s life, especially the Empire. Casting a surprising new light on the the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre, wordpress.com/. JohnJane DawsonKnox public and private personas of a highly complex, difficult and hugely compelling individual, brought together over the last 30 The SJAC’s collections on the history period (1554-9) he had spent among Dawson’s fascinating study offers a vivid, fully rounded portrait of this renowned Scottish the English exiles on the Continent preacher and prophet who had a seismic impact years, constitute a unique national of the Jewish religious communities, on religion and society. resource, unparalleled in any other on Jewish political and cultural life during the reign of Queen Mary ISBN 978-0-300-11473-7 Jacket image: Portrait of John Knox / Edinburgh University Library, Scotland / With kind permission of the University of Edinburgh / Bridgeman Images YALETudor. UNIVERSITY It revealed PRESS for the first time immigrant group in Scotland. We in Scotland since the late nineteenth NEW HAVEN AND LONDON 9 780300 114737 *Copyright, Scottish Jewish Archives Printed in Great Britain yalebooks.com www.yalebooks.co.uk are looking forward to seeing our century, and the rich personal Centre www.sjac.org.uk Knox’s ministry in Ayr, a possible visit
14 | New College Bulletin 2016 | 15 the concept of reconciliation from a The volume includes contributions 7 Professor Mona Siddiqui’s from Emeritus Professor Oliver recent book, Hospitality and Islam: theological point of view, analysing its Reading matters: latest O’Donovan and alumnus, Dr Matthew Welcoming in God’s Name (New use historically within theology and Arbo as well as Kidwell and others. Haven/London: Yale University Press, presenting a new model of a practical theology of reconciliation. Using books by our academic staff 2015) is the first major contribution to 13 Dr Jeremy H. Kidwell, The narrative research, it explores this idea the understanding of hospitality both Theology of Craft and the Craft of within the context of Northern Ireland within Islam and beyond. She explores Work: From Tabernacle to Eucharist, and offers valuable insights into the and compares teachings within the (Routledge, 2016). This book theological use of reconciliation by various Muslim traditions over the examines the theology and ethics of 1 1b Buddha. Replete with adventure, 5 members of communities based in & Dr Lydia Schumacher has Dr Joshua Ralston co-edited a centuries, while also drawing on work through a detailed exegetical subterfuge, magic, and intrigue, the a conflict zone. two recent books of note: Rationality volume focused on Christian materials as diverse as Islamic belles study of temple construction accounts as Virtue (London: Ashgate, 2015). tales also showcase Buddhist lettres, Christian reflections on responses to migration: Church in an 10 Professor David Fergusson’s in the Hebrew bible and the New A creative argument that rationality philosophy and morality as they almsgiving and charity, and Islamic Age of Global Migration: A Moving book, Christian Theology: 21st Testament. It brings forward the involves both intellectual soundness chronicle the multi-life quest of the and Western feminist writings on Body. Pathways for Ecumenical and Century Challenges (Tainan: Tainan ancient vision of ‘good work’ which is and also a ‘moral virtue’ that takes Bodhisatta to achieve the Ten gender issues. Applying a more Interreligious Dialogue Series Theological College, 2015) is the preserved in these biblical texts account of ‘whether knowledge is Perfections—virtues that must be theological approach to the idea of (London/New York: Palgrave published version of his Sinlau towards a conversation with used in ways that promote an refined before he can reach his final mercy as a fundamental basis for Macmillan, 2015). The book includes Lectures (in English and Chinese contemporary craft theory, touching on individual’s own flourishing and that of goal of awakening. human relationships, this book will work themes which include agency, essays by contributors from diverse translation) given in Tainan, Taiwan, others’. appeal to a wide audience, particularly aesthetics, sociality, skill, and the 4 Professor Paul Foster co-edited national, denominational, cultural, in 2015. readers interested in Islam, ethics, and material culture of work. 2 Theological Philosophy: a volume of essays in honour of professional, and linguistic religious studies. 11 Dr Alexander Chow’s book, Rethinking the Rationality of Christian Michael W. Holmes: Studies on the backgrounds that reveal the ways in Theosis, Sino-Christian Theology and Faith (London: Ashgate, 2016). Text of the New Testament and Early which migrants and the phenomenon 8 Dr Nina Fischer’s new book, the Second Chinese Enlightenment: Building on the previous book, in this Christianity: Essays in Honor of of migration expose longstanding Memory Work: The Second Heaven and Humanity in Unity (New one Schumacher contends that ‘that Michael W. Holmes (Leiden: Brill, gaps and failings within Christian Generation (New York/London: York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2013), has belief in the God of Christian faith 2015). The collection of twenty-seven communities. Palgrave Macmillan, 2016) explores how Jewish children of Holocaust now been published in Chinese provides an exceptionally robust essays focuses on the twin areas of 6 Professor Helen Bond and translation in Hong Kong by Logos rationale for rationality and is as such research undertaken by Holmes. survivors from the English-speaking Professor Emeritus Larry Hurtado and Pneuma Press. intrinsically rational’. She also links These are the sub-disciplines of diaspora explore the past and engage co-edited Peter in Early Christianity with the pre-Holocaust family and their spiritual practice and ordinary life, textual criticism and the study of the 12 Jeremy H. Kidwell and Sean contending that the latter is the focus (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2015), a parents’ survival. Apostolic Fathers. The first part of the Doherty eds., Theology and for proofs of the rationality of Christian collection of essays from a conference volume on textual criticism focuses on 9 Dr Leah Robinson published Economics: A Christian Vision of the faith. organized here by the Centre for the issues of method, the praxis of editing Common Good, (Palgrave MacMillan, Study of Christian Origins (July 2013). Embodied Peacebuilding (Frankfurt/ 3 and collating texts, and discussions 2015). This volume brings together a Dr Naomi Appleton (with Sara The nineteen essays from a galaxy of Oxford: Peter Lang, 2015). In the pertaining to individual variants. The group of prominent Christian Shaw) published The Ten Great Birth scholars address historical questions areas of peacebuilding and conflict second part of the volume assembles economists and theologians to Stories of the Buddha, the first about Peter, and analyse references to resolution, the word ‘reconciliation’ essays on the Apostolic Fathers. discuss how we might transform complete English translation of this Peter in various New Testament has often been branded a negative There is a particular focus on the term because it implies a resolution economic and theological reasoning material in over a century. These writings and in later Christian stories narrate the Bodhisatta’s ten person and writings of Polycarp, since agreed upon by all parties in a given from antagonistic forces into tools with traditions. final lives in the human realm before this is the area of research where Prof. society, which for many seems an which to cultivate more just and moral his final life and enlightenment as the Holmes has worked most intensively. unachievable ideal. This book looks at economies in the twenty-first century. The Theology of Craft and the Craft of Work It matters that the work we do is meaningful, excellent, and beautiful. Jeremy Kidwell’s biblically informed theology of craft and analyses of the negative impact of modern labour practices on human well-being invite re-examination of the very foundations of our conceptions of work. Drawing attention to how, in the ancient world, the place of worship was the place of craft-work par excellence, Kidwell revisits creatively the notion of consecration for describing the relationship between work and worship. Innovative and wide-ranging, this is an important new contribution to the theology of work, and wider questions of what’s entailed in being human. Esther D. Reed, University of Exeter, UK
Jeremy Kidwell has offered us an exemplary performance of Christian ethics done in an exegetical key. Going far beyond most of what passes as ‘business ethics’ or ‘theologies of work’, Kidwell delves deep and sensitively into both the problems and promise of work in an information age. Brian Brock, University of Aberdeen, UK
An important reconceptualisation is taking place in the way people express creativity, work together, and engage in labour. In particular, suggests Kidwell, there has been a surprising resurgence in recent years of manual and craft work. Noting the wide array of outlets that now market hand-made goods and the array of popular books which advocate ‘making’ as a basis for activism or personal improvement, this book seeks to understand how the micro-politics of craft work might offer insights for a broader theology of work. Why does it matter that we do work which is meaningful, excellent, and beautiful?
Through a close reading of Christian scripture, The Theology of Craft and the Craft of Work examines the theology and ethics of work in light of original biblical exegesis. Kidwell presents a detailed exegetical study of temple construction accounts in the Hebrew bible and the New Testament. Illuminating a theological account of craft, and employing the ancient vision of ‘good work’ which is preserved in these biblical texts, Kidwell critically interrogates modern forms of industrial manufacture. This includes a variety of contemporary work problems particularly the instrumentalisation and exploitation of the non- human material world and the dehumanisation of workers. Primary themes taken up in the book include agency, aesthetics, sociality, skill, and the Jeremy Kidwell material culture of work, culminating with the conclusion that the church (or ‘new temple’) is both the product and the site of moral work. Arguing that Christian worship provides a moral context for work, this book also examines early Christian practices to suggest a theological reconceptualisation of work.
Cover image: Fourth century mosaic from the Italian Basilica di Aquileia. Photo © [email protected] – Aut. Society for the Preservation of the Basilica of Aquileia (UD) Italy.
Theology
ISBN 978-1-4724-7651-7 Jeremy Kidwell
www.routledge.com 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Routledge titles are available as eBook editions in a range of digital formats 9 78147212476517 13
16 | New College Bulletin 2016 | 17 Scholarship recipients talk about what their award means to them its extraordinary nature in terms of resources and services. The multiple campuses and libraries include those at New College, George Square and the King’s Buildings where students Scholarships news can access study spaces and resources from different angles of the city. The short courses often offered Amos Bongadu Chewachong, scholarship made all the difference in by the University in foreign languages, research methods and the use of Thanks to the generosity of friends and alumni over many years, • The Thomas F. Torrance fund PhD Candidate in World my life; without it, I would never have software for easy analysis of research the School of Divinity is able to offer a number of scholarship of supports Masters students from Christianity/Religious Studies. been able to pay the fees nor pursue my PhD studies. My research interests data are very rewarding. New College varying amounts to students. These are particularly important in Africa, Asia and Latin America. I am Amos Bongadu Chewachong, are: Religious transnationalism in the has also got a cream of professionals attracting postgraduate students. In the last year we received two an ordained minister of the • The John Ross fund was in every theological and social science further substantial donations that will enhance greatly our ability Presbyterian Church in Cameroon intra-African diaspora, theology and established by Korean discipline. My supervisors have been to offer financial assistance to deserving students. now studying for a PhD in World ethics, eco-theology and comparative churches and alumni to religions. My PhD research title is: meticulous and their feedback on my The Kirby Laing Foundation has fund in anticipation of an increase in Christianity/Religious Studies. provide scholarships for Transnational Pentecostalism and the work very helpful. donated £800,000 to be spent over candidate numbers. We are grateful Korean postgraduate students. I came to Edinburgh in September Dynamics of Power in New Cultural ten years on scholarships at New to the Directors of the Scottish Journal I hope that the University of Edinburgh 2012 to study for an MTH in World Geo-spaces: The Living Faith Church College. This money will be applied of Theology for their several gifts and • The John McIntyre Fund will remain a citadel of academic Christianity. I graduated in November Worldwide in Cameroon, 1996-2015. to full-year or half-year students from this latest generous support, which was established to provide 2013 and was awarded the Divinity excellence and that its alumni will find the majority world (the ‘global south’). collectively amount to some £130,000 scholarships for candidates School tuition scholarship to study I am enjoying my research in their knowledge helpful for developing We look forward to welcoming the over recent years. preparing for ministry in any for a PhD in World Christianity. This Edinburgh University because of a better world. first group of Kirby Laing scholars of the Scottish churches. In addition to the general scholarship in September 2016. The School of Krittika Bhattacharjee, PhD student Now in my third year, I have learned and endowment fund, there are several Divinity is grateful to the Kirby Laing • Rev Dr Norma P Robertson in Religious Studies re-learned the things I value about New named scholarships funds to which Foundation for this further major gift Scholarships are available College: the keen sense of community, we heartily welcome additional I began my PhD in New College in which will promote educational work to students undertaking the close attention from my supervisors, donations. Scholarships are awarded January 2014. I had also studied amongst colleges and churches programmes of study at the view from the windows in the Martin from the income earned on the capital here two years earlier, towards an in some of the most economically postgraduate level in Christian Hall, the brightness of lunchtime chats. amount. So, increases to the latter MSc in Religious Studies. I enjoyed disadvantaged parts of the world. History, Bible and Theology. I’ve valued being able to learn, tutor and enable us to offer more generous working on my dissertation on do field-work relatively unconstrained The Scottish Journal of Theology scholarships, to help keep pace • The John Baillie Fund tourism and religion and I felt there by anxieties about the rupee-to-pound has donated a further £50,000 to with the rise in fees and living costs. offers support to overseas was more life to the project. With the exchange rate. In the meantime, the the John McIntyre Scholarship Fund. Here are current scholarship funds, postgraduate students. encouragement of my supervisors, I cost of student visas has risen and This fund supports candidates to which you can make a contribution. applied and, supported by the kind offer We also welcome inquiries from the conditions for getting a post-study training for ministry in any one of the For more information: http://www. of a scholarship, I made the trip back anyone who may wish to establish work visa are stricter. The ramifications Scottish churches. The capital sum ed.ac.uk/divinity/support. to Edinburgh from India. By the time I has now reached almost £150,000, a new scholarship fund with a returned, the tables in Rainy Hall were of these actions will be widespread; to and awards have been made to • The James S. Stewart fund was substantial gift. For any initial inquiries arranged differently, the Wash Bar had me, they serve as reminders about the students in the current academic established in 1996 to provide about donating to scholarship funds, retired its New College Meal Deal, and distinct and sometimes fragile privilege session. Further contributions are scholarships for postgraduate contact the Editor, Professor Larry the first year PhDs I had known were of being able to be here, for now, even if welcome as we seek to increase the students of outstanding merit. Hurtado ([email protected]) writing up: serious, tired, and wiser. for a little while.
18 | New College Bulletin 2016 | 19 Upcoming events 2 – 12 May 2016
April Gifford lecture series 19 April 2016 – 9:45-17:00 Christianity and the New Spirit of Nationalism Professor Kathryn Tanner (Yale Divinity School), will One-day conference demonstrate through these six lectures the capacity of Religious Diversity and Cultural Change in Scotland: Christian beliefs and practices to help people resist the Modern Perspectives dictates of capitalism in its present, finance-dominated A One Day Conference organised by Scottish Religious configuration. Cultures Network (SRCN), with Religious Studies and the These lectures are free but ticketed. Visit our events page Centre for Theology and Public Issues. Held at New College to book your ticket
23 April 2016 – 10:00-16:00 13 May 2016 – 14:00-16:00
Symposium CPD event God, Creation and Providence Approaching Religion Through Story: Resources for The Symposium, led by Professor David Fergusson, School Teachers will feature lectures, lunch, and discussion. A CPD event for Primary teachers and Secondary RMPS St Cuthbert’s Church Lothian Road, Edinburgh. teachers. Held at New College The event will be held at St Cuthbert’s Church Lothian Road, Edinburgh June 30 April 2016 – 14:30-16:00 4 June 2016 – 15:00-22:00 Public lecture Social gathering Visions of the End: The Book of Revelation in Art, Music, Alumni Reunion 2016 and Politics Join us at New College for the 2016 Alumni Reunion Professor Elaine Pagels, Princeton University will deliver a and share food, entertainment and good memories. public lecture on ‘Visions of the End: The Book of Revelation To register your interest, visit our website or follow this in Art, Music, and Politics’. Held at New College link: http://edin.ac/1LJT3hH
15 June 2016 – 17:00-18:00
May Public lecture 3 May 2016 – 14:15-15:15 Professors Tom Wright (St Andrews) and John Barclay (Durham) will discuss St Paul Public lecture Please visit our events page to register for any of our events. How do the Nag Hammadi Texts Change our Understanding of Early Christianity? Professor Elaine Pagels of Princeton University will deliver a lecture on “How do the Nag Hammadi texts change our understanding of early Christianity?” Held at New College
For further information on these events, please visit our website: ed.ac.uk/divinity/news-events