COLLEGE NEWMAGAZINE 2020
NEW COLLEGE NEWS SERVING OUR CITY ALUMNI UPDATES Stories from around the School P4 Making a difference P12 Your news P14 NEW COLLEGE 2020
EDITOR’S NOTE
School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh, Mound Place, Edinburgh EH1 2LX.
Tel: +44 131 650 8959 Email: [email protected] Website www.ed.ac.uk/divinity Facebook.com/SchoolOfDivinityEdinburgh Welcome to New College, the School of Divinity’s annual Twitter.com/SchoolofDiv magazine. Instagram.com/uoedivinity Linkedin.com/groups/8766402 This year’s cover image comes from the work of the Kurdish © The University of Edinburgh March 2020. painter Soniya Ahmed, a Masters student at the Glasgow No part of this publication may be reproduced School of Art and winner of the Issachar Fund Art Prize, in any form without prior written consent. The part of the ‘Gratitude: Christian and Muslim Perspectives’ 2 views expressed are those of the contributors project chaired by Professor Mona Siddiqui. Soniya’s artwork and do not necessarily represent those of the School of Divinity, New College or the University explores gratitude in earthy, this-world tones – and catches of Edinburgh. sight of it in the challenges of ordinary life.
Change of address? In this year’s magazine, it is uplifting to note some of the If you have changed address, please let us ways in which our students, staff and graduates are making know. Contact the University’s Development and Alumni office on +44 (0)131 650 2240 or email a positive difference in the city of Edinburgh, and around [email protected] the world.
The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body We ourselves have much to be grateful for. Theology has registered in Scotland, with registration number been taught at the University since 1583 yet there has never SC005336. been a more exciting time to work and study here. Next year marks our latest milestone, the 175th anniversary of the founding of New College. We hope you will join us as we reflect on the rich history, achievement and potential of our diverse community, and look to the future together.
As always, we are delighted to share news of successes, PRIVACY STATEMENT publications, awards and new appointments, in the lives All personal information is held securely by the University of our alumni community. Please keep us informed of and in accordance with Data Protection Law. The data we hold will be used by the University, or other parties developments in your own career and life. acting under the instructions of the University, for a range of activities. These include sending publications. If you’d like to find out more, you can view our full privacy notice I hope you enjoy our magazine. on the University’s website www.ed.ac.uk/development- alumni/privacy. Dr James Eglinton Email: [email protected]
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8 10 CONTENTS New College news 4 Serving our city 12 60 second interview: Alumni updates 14 3 Hannah Holtschneider 6 Reading matters 18 Recognising the best 7 New staff and a new Innovation in theological education 8 Postdoc Fellowship 19 Live from Nashville 10 175th anniversary of New College 20
Soniya Ahmed, winner of the Issachar Fund Art Prize, submitted a number of artworks as part of the ‘Gratitude: Christian and Muslim Perspectives’ project chaired by Professor Mona Siddiqui. The cover shows a detail of one. The image featured here was the overall winner.
University of Edinburgh School of Divinity www.ed.ac.uk/divinity NEW COLLEGE 2020
NEW COLLEGE Student Recognition Awards Head of School Professor Helen Bond has introduced three new awards to recognise students who have contributed the most to New College, the city NEWSof Edinburgh, or the promotion of theology and religious studies, outside their academic work. Many congratulations to the respective winners: Jo Thor, Rachel Frost and jointly Sofanit Abebe and Jessie Fubara-Manuel.
International accolade for Professor Siddiqui In April 2019 Professor Mona Siddiqui was honoured on both sides of the Atlantic. The Archbishop of Canterbury presented her with the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation and she was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Teaching success Dr Ulrich Schmiedel is the latest member of staff to become a Fellow, and Dr Naomi Appleton and Dr Anja Klein have become Senior Fellows, of the 4 Higher Education Academy, demonstrating their commitment to teaching.
Of India but apart Dr Arkotong Longkumer’s research into the indigenous movements of northeast India reached an estimated audience of 16 million in August, when he £2.4 million for theologies of nature wrote a piece for India Today, called Of India but Apart, Professor Mark Harris and Dr Sarah Lane Ritchie have to mark India’s Independence Day. won £2.4 million funding from the John Templeton Foundation for a major international research project, God and the Book of Nature. The initiative will build a network of theologians and philosophers of religion in the UK, USA and mainland Europe, to form a wide-ranging collaborative engagement with the natural sciences.
By royal appointment In July Professor David Fergusson was appointed Dean of the Chapel Royal and Dean of the Order of the Thistle. He has been a Royal Chaplain since 2015. Professor Fergusson said: “I am very pleased to be succeeding Professor Iain Torrance as Dean of these Baseball ace distinguished Scottish institutions. It is an honour to MTh student Sam Davidson was awarded the title serve the Queen and her family in this capacity, and I of Best Pitcher in a ‘Battle for Britain’ tournament in look forward to the time ahead.” Kent, May 2019.
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Reopening of Rainy Hall Essay prize winner Rainy Hall reopened in the summer, looking Congratulations to PhD candidate Calida Chu, magnificent after eight months of painstaking whose essay, Social Functionality of Multiple Religious restoration. During the Edinburgh Festival, it hosted Belonging in Modern China, won first prize in an an exhibition, Art, Conflict and Remembering: the international competition organised by the East Asian Murals of the Bogside Artists, organised by Professor Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (EASSSR). Jolyon Mitchell, Director, Centre for Theology and Public Issues (CTPI).The first lecture of the academic MSc Islam & Christian-Muslim Relations year was followed by a reception in the Rainy Hall Applications are open for our new taught MSc in Islam to mark the official re-opening. Following Professor & Christian-Muslim Relations. This exciting Masters Stewart J Brown’s address on John Henry Newman’s offers a rich and broad study of the Islamic intellectual The Idea of a University, the School enjoyed afternoon traditions of scripture, law, theology and philosophy 5 tea prepared by our new caterers-with-a-conscience, in conversation with Christian thought, ethics and Social Bite (see p13). political theology.
PhD by Distance While the recommended route to a PhD in the School of Divinity is full-time study in Edinburgh, qualified applicants – whose circumstances make regular attendance impossible – may now apply to do a PhD part-time over six years at a distance. They will spend two weeks at New College each year to meet supervisors and attend seminars.
New College Library – temporary closure New College Library closed for essential work in New research networks December. Until summer 2021 the general collection will be available in David Hume Tower, archive Two new interdisciplinary research networks material and some Special Collections at the Centre have been launched: Edinburgh Buddhist Studies for Research Collections in the Main Library and the network, co-directed by Dr Naomi Appleton, and the Reserve Collection in Semple’s Close Wing of New Scottish Network for Religion and Literature, led by College. See website for details. Dr Alison Jack.
University of Edinburgh School of Divinity www.ed.ac.uk/divinity NEW COLLEGE 2020
60 SECOND INTERVIEW
Where are you from, and how has it shaped you? I grew up in a small town in the Rhineland, in Germany. I was very excited to leave to go to university.
What kind of undergraduate were you? Studious and hard-working! I loved being able to study what I really wanted to. It was fantastic. I’ve never left university.
Why did you write your new book? It’s on Rabbi Dr Salis Daiches, who served the Edinburgh Hebrew congregation from 1919-1945. 6 He managed to unite communities that didn’t want to talk to each other. He was a unifier and, like many Jews of his time, a migrant: he came to Edinburgh from Lithuania via Germany. Nobody had written about him, which I was astonished by. It was an exciting opportunity.
Dr Hannah Holtschneider is Senior Lecturer Name a scholar who has influenced in Jewish Studies. Her new book Jewish your career. Orthodoxy in Scotland: Rabbi Dr Salis Professor Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett from New Daiches and Religious Leadership York University. Reading her book Destination Culture was published by Edinburgh University changed the way I think about how we access the past, how we know what we know, and how we Press (2019). interpret what we find and where. I loved the freedom of immersing myself How would you like to be remembered? As compassionate, invested, and interested. in my topic. As someone who cares about my students and my subject.
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RECOGNISING THE BEST
Many readers will have heard that we lost two of our best-known friends in 2019, with the deaths of Professor Larry Hurtado, founder of our Centre for the Study of Christian 7 Origins and alumnus Dr Lloyd John Ogilvie, former chaplain to the United States Senate. Both were much loved, inspirational, giants in their field. In June Lloyd’s obituary in Christianity Today duly noted, The Professor Larry Hurtado Scholarship Fund has “Acclaimed author, speaker, and preacher Lloyd John been created to support PhD candidates at the School Ogilvie… studied at New College, Edinburgh, where he in the area of Christian Origins - reflecting Larry’s fell in love with the awesome task of preaching.” dedication to research, teaching and mentorship. A number of Larry’s friends and colleagues have Five months later, “Remembering Larry Hurtado” was already supported this initiative, and we thank them published in the same magazine. As Larry’s former PhD for their contributions. student Professor Holly J Carey wrote: “For many of us to whom he was mentor, friend, peer, and colleague, he To find out more about these important was the best of what this discipline has to offer.” Fellow scholarships and how you can support them alumnus Professor Michael J Kruger agreed: visit www.ed.ac.uk/divinity/support - or contact Professor Helen Bond, Head of the School of He was all that a PhD student could Divinity, tel 0131 650 8923, email [email protected], or Susie Bass, Philanthropy Manager, tel 0131 650 wish for in a Doktorvater. 9261, email [email protected].
In recognition of their leadership and contribution to Photo of Dr Ogilvie made available by Fuller the School we have established two new scholarships. Theological Seminary. Thanks to a generous lead gift from Rev Dr Bob Funk, the Dr Lloyd John Ogilvie Scholarship will enable students from around the world to undertake postgraduate studies at the School of Divinity.
University of Edinburgh School of Divinity www.ed.ac.uk/divinity NEW COLLEGE 2020
INNOVATION IN THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION?
IT’S IN OUR DNA
Born out of the Disruption of 1843, New College was set up to educate a dynamic new Scottish Christian leadership. Its first students received an education quite different to the experience found in Scotland’s ancient faculties of divinity, where approaches to 8 theological education had remained untouched for centuries. New College opened with a modern curriculum full of new ideas, pioneering an early version of our current pre-honours and honours course structure, and even required its theological students to take classes in Natural Science. “In its community and curriculum, Over the past year, Professor Professor Susan Hardman Moore, New College nowadays is far Hardman Moore has worked with the Principal of New College, sees more diverse than it has ever Dr Forsyth and Senior Lecturer this creative spirit as central to the been. This gives today’s Dr Alison Jack in developing new education offered today. ministers-in-training the benefit forms of theological education of working alongside people of for lay leaders in congregations Down the generations, all faiths and none, in critical across Scotland. debate about key questions, our students have been to sharpen the knowledge and Pioneer ministry encouraged to engage with skills they need to present the Across 2019-20, they have run Christian message.” successful pilot courses for lay cutting-edge thinking leaders covering pioneer ministry Dr Sandy Forsyth, our T.F. and church planting for new about faith, and to relate Torrance Lecturer in Theology worshipping communities, and on and Mission, puts it another way: this to social and cultural leading worship in local churches. “Innovation is in our DNA.” issues of their day.
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For Professor Hardman Moore, the to enrol on a not-for-credit basis, Theological Seminary, USA, value of this new initiative is clear: just for personal interest.” saw a group of 18 pastors from Scotland and North America gain “This semester we have 24 very Registration is open for our professional doctorates in ministry keen people on the course, mainly Preaching Today conferences on (DMin). This year, the Edinburgh- from the Presbyteries of Edinburgh 20 April this year and on 19-20 Pittsburgh partnership will welcome and East Lothian, but also from April in 2021, when it will be part of another transatlantic cohort. further afield – the Borders, Dundee, a year of events to mark the 175th Glasgow. anniversary of New College. Further Professor David Fergusson, a details are available on our website. member of the DMin teaching “As a result of this year’s trial run, team, is glad to see this these classes will be available as Lifelong learning programme continue. credit-bearing courses in conjunction Led by Dr Jack, New College with the University’s Centre for Open "It provides a unique opportunity for also provides ongoing education Learning from September 2020 teachers and pastors in Scotland to those already working in onwards – credits that can count and the USA to share their Christian ministry. Between 2015- towards a Certificate of Higher experiences and insights. It has 18, a cooperation with Pittsburgh Education – but it will still be possible proved rewarding and enjoyable for all concerned. "
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LIVE FROM NASHVILLE
n 2003, Drew Holcomb His current album, Dragons, How did it all happen? came to New College reached number three in the US as a visiting student Folk charts and one of his songs, “New College was a very formative from the University of What Would I Do Without You, has experience for me,” Drew tells us. Tennessee. Now a country been played 14.8 million times on “I took a two-week trip to the UK rock musician, Rolling Spotify. His music has featured right after my 18th birthday. We Stone recently described him on high-profile television shows started in Edinburgh and ended as “one of Americana’s most including House, Criminal Minds, in London. I know now that you popular stars.” and Jimmy Kimmel Live. should never start your trip at the best stop.
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"I also enjoyed the people. I visited a small church on my third day in the city, and they were very welcoming. "The minister had me over for lunch. An older gentleman took me on a walking tour. The other students invited me to play indoor ‘futbol’ weekly. It became a family away from family. "I enjoyed the way classes were approached at New College. Small groups of students, all working to prepare for each gathering. The States is much more lecture/exam centred. At New College, I learned how to research and collaborate and spend time learning more in depth. I studied with David Fergusson, David Wright and Jane Dawson. All three were absolutely superb. “I had plans of pursuing a PhD, but 11 most of the academics I respected Music and storytelling and knew personally encouraged “Most popular music has roots me to take a year or two and do in the church, at least in America. something else before enrolling in Rock ‘n’ roll, country, blues and postgraduate studies. So when I soul music grew out of the gospel returned home, I started booking traditions in the church. Songwriter gigs in Knoxville, Memphis, music is about storytelling and Photographs by Ashtin Paige. Nashville and other nearby cities. empathy and community. I recorded my first songs, and "My studies in theology helped me people seemed to like them. One thing led to another and here I am "I fell in love with the city as soon to frame my work, not as some 16 years later.” as I came out of Waverley Station, sort of navel gazing, but as a and knew I wanted to spend time theological exercise of solidarity Follow Drew on Twitter studying there. and honesty. @drewholcomb or go to www.drewholcomb.com "I had been playing music for “I lived just off the Cowgate in years but never toyed with Kincaid’s Court, way up high songwriting until I came to be with a view towards Arthur’s Seat. I had been playing a student for a semester. I loved walking around the University and the Royal Mile music for years but never "I didn’t know a soul in the city, with all its nooks and crannies. so I spent a lot of time playing I discovered something new every toyed with songwriting my guitar and listening to music, day. I spent most weekends seeing until I came to be a and started trying my hand other parts of the country as well. at writing.” student for a semester.
University of Edinburgh School of Divinity www.ed.ac.uk/divinity NEW COLLEGE 2020
SERVING OUR CITY
New College contributes more to Edinburgh than an iconic photo opp and an international reputation for the study of religion and theology. Students and staff are making a real difference to the lives of local people. Over the past three years a group of Divinity students called SERVE has been supporting local people through a number of projects, befriending older people, running a kids club, and providing meals in a homely atmosphere once a 12 week for people who don’t have anywhere else to go. SERVE was founded by Rachel Frost, a 4th year undergraduate on our Theology MA (Hons) programme (pictured left). Rachel says, “We welcome folk of every faith and none." Good citizenship Another student-led group, Holyrood Harvest, was set up in 2017 to bring students and locals together to reclaim waste ground in the Holyrood, Dumbiedykes, and Southside area of Edinburgh. Rev Dr Liam Fraser, minister of St Michael’s Parish Church in Linlithgow, was one of the alumni who originally helped to establish the project.
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“The group meets from 11am Profits from its sandwich shops, The Social Bite café at Rainy Hall is to 1pm each Saturday. They restaurant and food delivery open in teaching weeks, 8am-4pm, grow a wide variety of plants and service are spent feeding, Monday-Friday, on a trial basis until vegetables, ranging from potatoes supporting, housing and providing April 2021. and rocket salad to hydrangeas employment opportunities for Pictured below: Holyrood Harvest and coriander,” Liam tells us. “New people who do not have a safe volunteer Josep Martí i Bouis, and volunteers are always welcome!” place to call home. Dr Anja Klein buying lunch in our For undergraduate student Josep The Social Bite Café at Rainy Hall Social Bite café. Martí i Bouis, “Holyrood Harvest is is the first Social Bite café within a way of living out my theological a university. As well as enjoying studies in a way that impacts healthy food and little treats people and the communities themselves, customers have the around me.” option of ‘paying it forward.’ Paying it forward Head of School, Professor Helen Bond, explains: Students, staff and visitors now have a new way of helping others. “Any staff or students who are In September, we marked the able to spend a bit extra have reopening of our refurbished the opportunity to ‘pay forward’ Rainy Hall with the news that for a for hot drinks or meals for people two-year pilot period, our café and experiencing homelessness or catering service would be run by food poverty, contributing towards Social Bite. the 140,000 items of healthy, free food donated through Social Bite 13 Social Bite is a dynamic social each year.” enterprise that aims to end homelessness in Scotland.
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ALUMNI UPDATES 14 Rev Dr Sarah Agnew Rev Dr John Bradbury (PhD 2017) (BD Hons 1999) Sarah’s thesis on Biblical has been appointed as the new performance criticism and Paul’s General Secretary of the United letter to the Romans will be Reformed Church. He is a Minister published in 2020 with Pickwick of Downing Place Cambridge, Publications. Sarah is Minister of Whittlesford and Stetchworth the Word with Canberra Uniting & Cheveley United Reformed Church, Australia. Churches. Dr Chris Arthur (MA 1978, Dr Ashley Cocksworth PhD 1982) (MA 2008, MTh 2009) published his 7th book of essays, is now Senior Lecturer in Theology Hummingbirds between the and Practice at the University of Pages, in 2018 and is working on Roehampton. Most Rev Dr Peter another, Tripping on the Ordinary. Comensoli (PhD 2011) See www.chrisarthur.org. Rev Donald Colhour became Archbishop of Melbourne (MPhil 1997) Dr Eric J Beck (PhD 2018) in August 2018. Photo: Albertus has been selected by Marquis Aditya CC BY-SA 4. Eric’s book, Justice and Mercy Who’s Who for an Albert Nelson in the Apocalypse of Peter, was Marquis Lifetime Achievement published by Mohr Siebeck, Award. Current activities: August 2019. Eric is a Fellow at the www.luftschlossprojects.com Centre for Advanced Studies at the University of Regensburg.
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Edel Corrigan (MTh 2014) Dr Elijah Hixson has completed a Higher Diploma (PhD 2018) in Digital Media Design and is is a Research Associate at Tyndale currently working in the Irish Civil House. His book, Scribal Habits Service, based in the Midlands. in Sixth-Century Greek Purple Codices, was published by Brill Rev Dr James R Critchlow in September. He also co-edited (PhD 2005) a book with Peter J. Gurry, Myths teaches Biblical Studies at the and Mistakes in New Testament Boston Campus of Gordon- Textual Criticism, published by IVP Conwell Theological Seminary, Academic in November. New England. Dr Andrew Kaiser Clare Davidson née (PhD 2014) Gimingham (BA 1980) Prof Liz Grant (PhD 1993) is Director of Public Relations at Clare’s book, College Voices: The is the University’s Assistant Shanxi Evergreen Service. His Story of Christ’s College Aberdeen, Principal Global Health and latest book is Encountering China: was published by Saint Andrew Director of the University’s Global The Evolution of Timothy Richard’s Press in 2018. Health Academy. In 2019 she Missionary Thought (1870-1891), was elected a Fellow of the Royal with Pickwick Publications. Elena Dugan (MSc 2014) Society of Edinburgh. is a doctoral candidate researching Dr J Thomas Hewitt the Book of Enoch at Princeton 15 University. (PhD 2018) has been appointed as the Kirby Alexis Florides (MA 2017) Laing Research Fellow in New has just finished a two-year Testament at the University of Masters in Pastoral and Social Aberdeen. His latest book, based Theology at Aristotle University on his PhD thesis and entitled ‘“In in Thessaloniki. Messiah” in Paul’, will be published by Mohr Siebeck in 2020. Ruth Foster (MA 2018) was chosen to be a Kathryn Davis Dr Samuel Hildebrandt Fellow for Peace at Middlebury (PhD 2016) College, Vermont, June-August has a permanent post as Lecturer 2019 where she undertook an in Biblical Studies (Old Testament) intensive language course in Josh Lojzim (MSc 2018) at Nazarene Theological College modern Hebrew. She is now is now a data analyst at Amazon in Manchester. His dissertation working as a Project Assistant with Robotics, a subsidiary of Amazon was published with Brill in 2017 the Inter Faith Network for the UK located just outside Boston. as Interpreting Quoted Speech in in London and continuing to study Prophetic Literature: A Study of Hebrew at evening classes. Jeremiah 2:1-3:5, in the series, Vetus Testamentum Supplements.
University of Edinburgh School of Divinity www.ed.ac.uk/divinity NEW COLLEGE 2020
Dr Duncan MacLaren KCSG (MTheol 1992) has been awarded a PhD by the University of Glasgow for his thesis, A Hermeneutic of Integral Human Development: Bridging the Gap between Magisterial Theory and Catholic Agency Praxis. In 2016, Duncan was honoured with a Papal Knighthood – Knight Commander of St Gregory the Great – by Pope Francis for his humanitarian work in church Rt Rev Colin Sinclair was installed as aid agencies. (BD 1980) the Church of Scotland’s new Dr Scott Manor Rev Prof Lee Martin Moderator, taking over from fellow alum the Very Rev Susan (MTh 2008, PhD 2012) McDonald (PhD 1976) is now President of Knox Theological has moved to California. His latest Brown (BD 1981) Seminary, where he is Associate book, with John J Collins and (Photo: Church of Scotland) Professor of Historical Theology. Craig A Evans, will be published this year by Westminster John Professor George Pattison Liz Marsh (MA 2018) Knox Press, entitled Ancient (MA 1972, BD 1977) has recently finished a Masters Jewish and Christian Scriptures: is Professor of Theology and 16 at VU Amsterdam, where she New Developments in Canon Modern European Thought at focused on systematic theological Controversy. the University of Glasgow. approaches to environmental and economic issues. She is now on a Amy Plender (MA Theol ministry assistant placement at a 2015, MTh 2017) city centre church in Nottingham. is lead researcher with Eido Dr K V Mathew Research. Follow @amyplender (PhD 1970) Rev Michael Reed tells us he taught at Serampore (MTh 2014) University, West Bengal and Mar is Pastor at The Maker’s Place, a Thoma Theological Seminary, new United Methodist Hope Center Kottayam and was a visiting and church launched in Trenton, professor at many colleges in New Jersey in July 2018. India and abroad. He authored many books, and co-authored and Christian Richards edited a one-volume commentary of the Bible, and a Bible (MA 2016) Encyclopedia in Malayalam, the Dr Farhana Nazir (MTh has completed a Professional first of their kinds. He also served Diploma in UX Design, and is now 2007, PhD 2013) a Digital Strategist with Equator. as Secretary of the Mar Thoma is Dean of Studies at Gujranwala Syrian Church, India, and Asian Theological Seminary, Pakistan. Secretary for the International Fellowship of Reconciliation.
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Kayla Robbins (MA 2019) Prof John Tweeddale has started her MPhil in Christian (PhD 2017) Theology at the University of is Academic Dean and Professor Cambridge. of Theology at Reformation Bible College, Florida. Recent books: John Owen and Hebrews: The Foundation of Biblical Interpretation, with T&T Clark and For a New Reformation, coeditor John Calvin, with Crossway. T&T Clark’s Handbook of John Owen, co-edited with Crawford Gribben, is in the pipeline. Dr George M Walters- Ven Dr Edward Simonton Sleyon (PhD 2019) OGS (MA 1996, MTh has been appointed as a 1999) McDonald Distinguished Fellow was appointed Vicar General by the Center for the Study of Law Rev Dr Leah E Robinson and Archdeacon of Quebec in and Religion, Emory University. 2017 having previously served Adjunct Professor at Bunker Hill (PhD 2011) as Archdeacon of St Francis Community College in Boston USA previously our Lecturer in Practical in the Diocese of Quebec and teaching Philosophy/Ethics and 17 and Pastoral Theology, is now Archdeacon of St Andrews in the World Religions. Associate Professor of Religion, Diocese of Montreal. Pfeiffer University. Research Rev Dr Takayuki Yagi (MTh interests include Religion, Violence Jane Taylor (BD 1987, 2014, PhD 2019) and Peacebuilding, Religion in US, is an Affiliated Researcher in Irish and British History, Practical DipMin 1989) took early retirement from Historical Theology at Evangelical Theology and Feminist, Black and Theological Faculty, Leuven, Queer Theology. parish ministry and moved from Aberdeenshire to Glasgow in Belgium. He recently published Prof Scott Spurlock 2013. She helped out at Glasgow a volume with Vandenhoeck Cathedral on a part-time, voluntary & Ruprecht called A Gift from (MTh 1999, MSc 2001, basis and was a Chaplain there England: William Ames and his PhD 2005) until moving to her present home Polemical Discourse against is Professor of Scottish and on the Rosneath peninsula. Dutch Arminianism. Early Modern Christianities at the Stay in touch University of Glasgow. Dr Andrew Tinker Share your news with us at (MPhil 2010) Paul Wilson (MTh 2016) www.ed.ac.uk/divinity/alumni/ earned a PhD in Rhetoric from alumni-news or join our online is coordinator of the Asylum Duquesne University and is a networks: Seeker and Refugee Project at Lecturer in Communication Parkhead Nazarene in Glasgow. Studies at Middle Tennessee New College Alumni on LinkedIn: He is also a part-time lecturer State University. www.linkedin.com/groups/8766402 in Bible and theology at University of Edinburgh’s Platform Tilsley College. One: www.platform-one.ed.ac.uk
University of Edinburgh School of Divinity www.ed.ac.uk/divinity NEW COLLEGE 2020
READING MATTERS
A SELECTION OF RECENT BOOKS BY ACADEMIC STAFF
Naomi Appleton, Many Buddhas, One Buddha: Hannah Holtschneider, Jewish Orthodoxy in A Study and Translation of Avada-nas´ataka 1-40 Scotland: Rabbi Dr Salis Daiches and Religious 18 (Equinox, 2020). Leadership (Edinburgh University Press, 2019). Helen Bond, Chris Keith, Jens Schroeter and Timothy Lim, The Earliest Commentary on Christine Jacobi (eds), The Reception of Jesus in the Prophecy of Habakkuk (Oxford University the First Three Centuries, 3 vols. (Bloomsbury Press, 2020). Academic, 2019). Jolyon Mitchell, Giselle Vincett, Theodora Hawksley, Helen Bond, The First Biography of Jesus: Genre and Hal Culbertson (eds), Peacebuilding and the Arts and Meaning in Mark’s Gospel (Eerdmans, 2020). (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019). Stewart J. Brown, W. T. Stead: Nonconformist and Joshua Ralston, Law and the Rule of God: A Christian - Newspaper Prophet (Oxford University Press, 2019). Engagement with Sharı’a (Cambridge University Press, 2020). James Eglinton, Bavinck: A Critical Biography (Baker Academic, 2020). Sarah Lane Ritchie, Divine Action and the Human David Fergusson and Mark Elliott (eds), Mind (Cambridge University Press, 2019). The History of Scottish Theology, 3 vols. (Oxford Hannah Strømmen and Ulrich Schmiedel, University Press, 2019). The Claim to Christianity: Responding to the Far Michael Fuller, Dirk Evers, Anne Runehov, Right (SCM, 2020). Knut-Willy Sæther (eds), Issues in Science and Suzanna Millar, Genre and Openness in Proverbs Theology: Nature – and Beyond (Springer, 2020). 10:1-1-22:16 (SBL Press, 2020). David Grumett, Henri de Lubac and the Shaping of Emma Wild-Wood, The Mission of Apolo Kivebulaya: Religious Encounter and Social Change in the Great Modern Theology: A Reader (Ignatius Press, 2020). Lakes (c.1865-1935) (James Currey, 2019).
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NEW STAFF
Dr Shadaab Rahemtulla Dr Tripp Fuller III Isabelle Tanzer Lecturer and Programme Director Postdoctoral Research Fellow with Teaching Fellow (German for our new Masters in Islam and the John Templeton Foundation Language). Isabelle holds an MA Christian-Muslim Relations. An project, God and the Book of from the University of Vienna and Oxford graduate, Dr Rahemtulla Nature. Dr Fuller has degrees from has worked as a German lecturer. previously taught at the University Claremont Graduate University She is also a part-time student at of Jordan and University of Wales (PhD), Wake Forest (MDiv) and the Faith Mission Bible College. 19 (Trinity Saint David). Campbell (BA).
NEW POSTDOC IN THEOLOGY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Thanks to the generosity of University of Edinburgh supporters Kenneth and Isabel Morrison, the School of Divinity will launch a new two-year postdoctoral fellowship in September: the Kenneth and Isabel Morrison Postdoctoral Fellowship in Theology and Artificial intelligence (AI), part-funded by Edinburgh Futures Institute.
University of Edinburgh School of Divinity www.ed.ac.uk/divinity LOOKING FORWARD TO 2021 NEW COLLEGE 175TH ANNIVERSARY In 2021 we will mark the 175th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone for New College, 3 June 1846.
Planning is well underway. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed ideas and offered to help. Special events will be held throughout the year, including social gatherings, conferences, public lectures and family activities – not least a spooky tour of New College! Please do come along and contribute your memories, photographs and stories to our virtual exhibition: New College Past, Present and Future. We are still finalising dates for some high-profile speakers. What follows is a provisional timetable outlining some of the main activities. The final programme and booking information will be posted online and circulated in the next issue of this magazine in January 2021. I look forward to sending you our final programme. My very best wishes, Professor Helen Bond Head of School
PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE 2021
February New College Past and Present day event April 19-20 April: Preaching Today 2021 conference 22 April: Public lecture – Children, religion and the earth they will inherit, by Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland and Professor of Children, Law and Religion, University of Glasgow June 3 June 2021: Commemorative breakfast in Rainy Hall 5-6 June 2021: Alumni and friends weekend celebration September Religious Studies 50th anniversary conference (alongside BASR 2021) Future of Theology and Religious Studies conference December 4-5 December, Winter Tales... A Festival of Literature, Religion and the Imagination Christmas lunch and carol service.
School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh, Mound Place, Edinburgh EH1 2LX. © The University of Edinburgh March 2020. Tel: +44 131 650 8959 No part of this publication may be Email: [email protected] reproduced in any form without the prior Website www.ed.ac.uk/divinity written consent. The views expressed Facebook.com/SchoolOfDivinityEdinburgh are those of the contributors and do not Twitter.com/SchoolofDiv necessarily represent those of the School Instagram.com/uoedivinity of Divinity, New College or the University Linkedin.com/groups/8766402 of Edinburgh.