John McIntyre (theologian)
Encyclopedia
John McIntyre CVO was a Scottish
minister and theologian.
on 20 May 1916 into a working-class family; he was the son of a carpenter. He was educated at Bathgate Academy
and the University of Edinburgh
(MA
in Mental Philosophy First-class honours 1938, BD
with Distinction).
He was ordained as a minister in the Church of Scotland
in 1941 and worked in Glen Orchy
and Inishail
as locum tenens
(1941-43) and in Fenwick
as minister (1943-45).
In 1946 he was appointed Hunter Baillie Professor of Theology at St. Andrew's College, Sydney. He remained at the college until 1956, having been appointed Principal in 1950. He was elected Honorary Fellow in 1990. He obtained his DPhil
in 1953. In 1956 he was appointed Professor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh
, having declined the offer of a position at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
. He held the chair until 1986. He was in addition Principal of New College
and Dean of the Faculty of Divinity (1968-74) and acting Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the university (1973-74 and again in 1979). He was first senior warden of Pollock Halls of Residence
, where the refectory is now named in his honour.
In 1971 he was interim minister of the High Kirk of Edinburgh
. He was Dean of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle
from 1974 until 1989, Extra Chaplain to the Queen in Scotland
1974-75, Chaplain
1975-86, and Extra Chaplain
again 1986-2005. He was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
by HM The Queen
in 1985.
In 1982 he was appointed the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
and as such had the clerical style of The Very Reverend
for life following his year of office. From 1983 until 1987 he was convenor of the Church of Scotland Board of Education.
In 1986 he was honoured with a Festschrift
, Religious imagination, ed. James P. Mackey (Edinburgh University Press, 1986). Having taken the substantive degree of Doctor of Letters
at Edinburgh
, he was awarded honorary doctorates by the University of Edinburgh
(Doctor honoris causa
), University of Glasgow
(Doctor of Divinity
), and the College of Wooster (Doctor of Humane Letters
). He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
in 1977. He was a Member of Council 1979-86 and Vice President 1983-86.
He died at The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on 15 December 2005.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
minister and theologian.
Biography
McIntyre was born in GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
on 20 May 1916 into a working-class family; he was the son of a carpenter. He was educated at Bathgate Academy
Bathgate Academy
Bathgate Academy is a secondary school in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland. Approximately 1,000 students are taught from ages 11–18, serving the needs of several communities including Blackburn and some communities outwith the catchment area such as Livingston....
and the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
(MA
Master of Arts (Scotland)
A Master of Arts in Scotland can refer to an undergraduate academic degree in humanities and social sciences awarded by the ancient universities of Scotland – the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, while the University of...
in Mental Philosophy First-class honours 1938, BD
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
with Distinction).
He was ordained as a minister in the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
in 1941 and worked in Glen Orchy
Glen Orchy
Glen Orchy is a long glen in Argyll and Bute in Scotland. It runs south-westerly from the Bridge of Orchy to Inverlochy following the River Orchy...
and Inishail
Inishail
Inishail is an island and former parish, in Loch Awe, Scotland.-Geography:The island lies at the north end of the loch in the council area of Argyll and Bute, between Cladich and Kilchurn...
as locum tenens
Locum
Locum, short for the Latin phrase locum tenens , is a person who temporarily fulfills the duties of another. For example, a locum doctor is a doctor who works in the place of the regular doctor when that doctor is absent, or when a hospital/practice is short-staffed...
(1941-43) and in Fenwick
Fenwick
- Places :In Canada:*Fenwick, Nova Scotia*Fenwick, OntarioIn the United Kingdom:* Fenwick, East Ayrshire* Fenwick, Northumberland* Fenwick, South YorkshireIn the United States:* Fenwick, Connecticut* Fenwick, Michigan* Fenwick, West Virginia...
as minister (1943-45).
In 1946 he was appointed Hunter Baillie Professor of Theology at St. Andrew's College, Sydney. He remained at the college until 1956, having been appointed Principal in 1950. He was elected Honorary Fellow in 1990. He obtained his DPhil
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in 1953. In 1956 he was appointed Professor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, having declined the offer of a position at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York is a preeminent independent graduate school of theology, located in Manhattan between Claremont Avenue and Broadway, 120th to 122nd Streets. The seminary was founded in 1836 under the Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with nearby Columbia...
. He held the chair until 1986. He was in addition Principal of New College
New College, Edinburgh
New College was opened in 1846 as a college of the Free Church of Scotland, later of the United Free Church of Scotland, and from the 1930s has been the home of the School of Divinity of the University of Edinburgh...
and Dean of the Faculty of Divinity (1968-74) and acting Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the university (1973-74 and again in 1979). He was first senior warden of Pollock Halls of Residence
Pollock Halls of Residence
Pollock Halls of Residence are the main halls of residence for the University of Edinburgh, located at the foot of Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, Scotland...
, where the refectory is now named in his honour.
In 1971 he was interim minister of the High Kirk of Edinburgh
St. Giles' Cathedral
St Giles' Cathedral, more properly termed the High Kirk of Edinburgh, is the principal place of worship of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. Its distinctive crown steeple is a prominent feature of the city skyline, at about a third of the way down the Royal Mile which runs from the Castle to...
. He was Dean of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle
Dean of the Thistle
The Dean of the Thistle is an office of the Order of the Thistle, re-established in 1687. The office is normally held by a minister of the Church of Scotland, and forms part of the Royal Household in Scotland....
from 1974 until 1989, Extra Chaplain to the Queen in Scotland
Ecclesiastical Household
The Ecclesiastical Household is a part of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. Reflecting the different constitutions of the Churches of England and of Scotland, there are separate Ecclesiastical Households in each nation.-England:...
1974-75, Chaplain
Ecclesiastical Household
The Ecclesiastical Household is a part of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. Reflecting the different constitutions of the Churches of England and of Scotland, there are separate Ecclesiastical Households in each nation.-England:...
1975-86, and Extra Chaplain
Ecclesiastical Household
The Ecclesiastical Household is a part of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. Reflecting the different constitutions of the Churches of England and of Scotland, there are separate Ecclesiastical Households in each nation.-England:...
again 1986-2005. He was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
by HM The Queen
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
in 1985.
In 1982 he was appointed the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The Moderator of the General Assembly of Church of Scotland is a Minister, Elder or Deacon of the Church of Scotland chosen to "moderate" the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which is held for a week in Edinburgh every May....
and as such had the clerical style of The Very Reverend
Very Reverend
The Very Reverend is a style given to certain religious figures.*In the Roman Catholic Church, by custom, priests who hold positions of particular note: e.g...
for life following his year of office. From 1983 until 1987 he was convenor of the Church of Scotland Board of Education.
In 1986 he was honoured with a Festschrift
Festschrift
In academia, a Festschrift , is a book honoring a respected person, especially an academic, and presented during his or her lifetime. The term, borrowed from German, could be translated as celebration publication or celebratory writing...
, Religious imagination, ed. James P. Mackey (Edinburgh University Press, 1986). Having taken the substantive degree of Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
at Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, he was awarded honorary doctorates by the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
(Doctor honoris causa
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
), University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
(Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
), and the College of Wooster (Doctor of Humane Letters
Doctor of Humane Letters
The degree of Doctor of Humane Letters is always conferred as an honorary degree, usually to those who have distinguished themselves in areas other than science, government, literature or religion, which are awarded degrees of Doctor of Science, Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Letters, or Doctor of...
). He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
in 1977. He was a Member of Council 1979-86 and Vice President 1983-86.
He died at The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on 15 December 2005.
Publications
- The shape of christology: studies in the doctrine of the person of Christ (2nd edn, Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1998; 1st edn, London: SCM, 1966)
- The shape of pneumatology: studies in the doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1997)
- The shape of soteriology: studies in the doctrine of the death of Christ (T&T Clark, 1992)
- Faith theology, and imagination (Edinburgh: Handsel Press, 1987)
- Prophet of penitence: our contemporary ancestor (Edinburgh: Saint Andrew Press, 1972)
- The availability of Christ (Edinburgh: Scottish Church Society, 1962)
- On the love of God (London: Collins, 1962)
- The Christian doctrine of history (Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, 1957)
- St. Anselm and his critics: a re-interpretation of the Cur Deus homo (Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, 1954)
- The Shape of Soteriology was recently studied in Eamonn Mulcahy, The Cause of Our Salvation: Soteriological Causality according to some Modern British Theologians, 1988-98 (Tesi Gregoriana Serie Teologia 140, Rome: Editrice Pontificia Università Gregoriana, 2007), alongside Colin GuntonColin GuntonColin Ewart Gunton was a British systematic theologian. As a theologian he made contributions to the doctrine of Creation and the doctrine of the trinity. He was Professor of Christian Doctrine at King's College London from 1984 and co-founder with Christoph Schwoebel of the Research Institute for...
, The Actuality of Atonement: a Study of Metaphor, Rationality and the Christian Tradition (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1988), Vernon WhiteVernon White (theologian)Vernon Philip White is a British Anglican priest and theological scholar.White was born in south-east London in 1953. After leaving school he spent a year undertaking Voluntary Service Overseas in Africa. He was educated at Clare College, Cambridge and Oriel College, Oxford...
, Atonement and Incarnation: an essay in Universalism and Particularity (Cambridge University Press, 1991), and Paul FiddesPaul FiddesPaul Stuart Fiddes is a British Baptist theologian. He is Professor of Systematic Theology in the University of Oxford and was formerly Principal of Regent's Park College and Chairman of the Theology Faculty...
, Past Event and Present Salvation: the Christian Idea of Atonement (London: Darton, Longman, & Todd, 1989).
External links
- David Fergusson, 'The Very Rev Professor John McIntyre' (Obituary) The Independent (21 January 2006)
- 'Very Rev Prof John McIntyre' (Obituary), Telegraph.co.uk (22 December 2005)
- 'Very Rev. Prof. John McIntyre', The Gazetteer for Scotland
- David Fergusson, 'Very Rev Professor John McIntyre' (Royal Society of Edinburgh obituary)
- 'The Very Rev Professor John McIntyre' (Obituary) The Times (30 December 2005)
- New College Bulletin: 160 Years
- Photograph, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland website