Thomas Greggs

Biography

Tom Greggs is Professor of Historical and Doctrinal Theology at the University of Aberdeen. He was previously Professor of Systematic Theology at the University of Chester, and has also taught at the University of Cambridge. Tom is the author of (among others) Theology against Religion: Constructive Dialogues with Bonhoeffer and Barth (T&T Clark, 2011) and Barth, Origen, and Universal Salvation: Restoring Particularity (OUP, 2009); and is the editor of New Perspectives for Evangelical Theology (Routledge, 2010). He is currently Secretary of Society for the Study of Theology and co-chair for the Scriptural Reasoning Panel at the American Academy of Religion. Tom is a member of the editorial board of The Journal for Scriptural Reasoning and Stanford University Press’s ‘Encountering Traditions’ series. His essays have appeared in such journals as International Journal of Systematic Theology, Modern Theology, Journal of Religion, Scottish Journal of Theology, International Journal of Public Theology, Theology, and Epworth Review, as well as in a number volumes of collected essays.

Tom was an open scholar at Christ Church, University of Oxford, graduating with the highest first class honours in his year, for which was awarded the Denyer and Johnson Prize. Following time as a teacher of Religion and Philosophy at the Manchester Grammar School (and a PGCE in secondary education), Tom took a PhD in Systematic Theology at the University of Cambridge, supervised by Professor David Ford (Regius Professor of Divinity). He has been a visiting research fellow at St John’s College, Durham, and College of Arts and Sciences International Visiting Scholar and Visiting Professor in Religion at the University of Virginia.

Tom is a Local Preacher in the Methodist Church, and has given sermons around the world. He has preached at Canterbury Cathedral, and was a regular preacher at Easter People. Tom regularly leads Continuing Professional Development for clergy, and sits on the Ecumenism and Inter-faith Panel of the Methodist Church’s Faith and Order Committee. He has appeared regularly on the radio. A scouser born and bred, Tom remains a foundation guardian at his old school, the Liverpool Blue Coat. Outside of Theology, his interests include politics, crime novels, cooking, wine, theatre and jazz.

Research Interests

There are three main foci for my research, and I would be interested in receiving applicants from post-graduates in each of these areas

1. I am interested in major doctrinal loci, especially in relation to patristic theology and modern theology. Within this broad area, I am particularly interested in the figures of Origen, Barth and Bonhoeffer; and in the doctrines of God, the Trinity, salvation and the Holy Spirit; however, I am happy to supervise more broadly. Methodologically, I am interested in historical approaches to doctrines and theologians for the sake of constructive theological reflection.

2. A large part of my work concerns how to articulate theology outwith the conditions of Christendom. This involves both theological reflection on the conditions of post-Christendom, and on issues that the conditions of post-Christendom raise. This aspect of my research has included reflection on such issues as how to think theologically about church-state relations, theo-politics, pluralism, secularism/secularity, political liberalism, contemporary evangelicalism, and salvation and the non-Christian. I am particularly interested in the ways in which classical doctrine and public theology relate.

3. My major focus in the coming years will be a three volume Protestant ecclesiology, arranged around the offices of Christ as Prophet, Priest and King. It is provisionally entitled Ecclesiology after Christendom. I would welcome applicants from students on any area relating to ecclesiology, or to homiletics.

Alongside these areas, I am also currently working with Steven Kepnes of Colgate University on an Introduction to Scriptural Reasoning (the inter-faith practice of Muslims, Jews and Christians reading scripture together), and an introductory textbook to Christian Theology with David Clough. I am also working on a project with Mike Higton (University of Cambridge) on the nature of impact for doctrine in a post-Christendom Society.

In 2010-11, I am co-ordinating and teaching the following courses:

• The Christian Doctrine of God (DR5082) / These Three are One (DR4061)
• Major Christian Thinkers (DR25**)

I am also contributing to the following:

• Karl Barth (DR 3079)

External Responsibilities

• Secretary of the Society for the Study of Theology
• American Academy of Religion, co-chair for Scriptural Reasoning
• Doctrine After Christendom Seminar Convenor
• External Examiner for Theology at St Andrews University
• External Examiner for MA programme in Christianity and Interreligious Relations, Heythrop College, University of London
• Member of Ecumenism and Inter-faith Panel, Methodist Faith and Order

Membership of Scholarly Societies

• Society for the Study of Theology
• American Academy of Religion
• Society for Scriptural Reasoning
• International Dietrich Bonhoeffer Society
• Scriptural Reasoning in the University
• Karl Barth Society of North America
• International Bonhoeffer Colloquium