London School of Theology
Encyclopedia
The London School of Theology (LST) is an English interdenominational evangelical
theological college based in Northwood within the London Borough of Hillingdon
. A second campus is based in Watford
, 20 miles northwest from central London
, known as the Centre for Missional Leadership
(CML). LST is the largest evangelical theological college in Europe and claims to have one of the best specialist theological libraries in the United Kingdom
.
, the Guthrie Centre, which also houses the Centre for Islamic Studies. In 2004 the name of the college was changed to the London School of Theology.
Its faculty has included New Testament
scholars Donald Guthrie
, RT France and Max Turner
as well as Derek Tidball
, a practical theologian
and sociologist of religion
. LST also had strong connections with the Anglican theologian John Stott
, an important supporter and former council member of the college.
Postgraduate:
Distance learning:
Distance learning modules from diploma to MA level.
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
theological college based in Northwood within the London Borough of Hillingdon
London Borough of Hillingdon
The London Borough of Hillingdon is the westernmost borough in Greater London, England. The borough's population was recorded as 243,006 in the 2001 Census. The borough incorporates the former districts of Ruislip-Northwood, Uxbridge, Hayes and Harlington and Yiewsley and West Drayton in the...
. A second campus is based in Watford
Watford
Watford is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, situated northwest of central London and within the bounds of the M25 motorway. The borough is separated from Greater London to the south by the urbanised parish of Watford Rural in the Three Rivers District.Watford was created as an urban...
, 20 miles northwest from central London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, known as the Centre for Missional Leadership
Centre for Missional Leadership
The Centre for Missional Leadership is a branch office of the London School of Theology. It is based in Watford, 20 miles northwest of central London. CML teaches applied theology with the aim of equipping Christians for practical evangelism. Located on the Watford High Street, CML is an urban...
(CML). LST is the largest evangelical theological college in Europe and claims to have one of the best specialist theological libraries in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
History
LST was founded in the 1940s as the London Bible College and was originally situated on Baker Street in central London. In 1970 the college moved to Northwood on a campus previously occupied by the London College of Divinity, an Anglican institution. The 1990s saw the opening of a new postgraduate centrePostgraduate education
Postgraduate education involves learning and studying for degrees or other qualifications for which a first or Bachelor's degree generally is required, and is normally considered to be part of higher education...
, the Guthrie Centre, which also houses the Centre for Islamic Studies. In 2004 the name of the college was changed to the London School of Theology.
Its faculty has included New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
scholars Donald Guthrie
Donald Guthrie
Donald Guthrie was a British New Testament scholar. Guthrie was a graduate of the University of London . From 1949 until his retirement in 1982 Guthrie was lecturer in New Testament studies at London Bible College , and from 1978 until 1982 he served as vice-principal of the college.Guthrie wrote...
, RT France and Max Turner
Max Turner
Max Turner is a British New Testament scholar.He is evangelical, and a Baptist minister, although as a young Christian he was associated with the Elim Pentecostal Church. His charismatic roots have generated an interest in the theology of the Holy Spirit, especially in Luke-Acts...
as well as Derek Tidball
Derek Tidball
Derek Tidball is a British theologian, sociologist of religion and Baptist minister. From 1995 to 2007 he was the principal of the London School of Theology.-Education:...
, a practical theologian
Practical theology
Practical theology is the practical application of theology to everyday life. Richard Osmer explains that the four key questions and tasks in practical theology are:# What is going on? # Why is this going on?...
and sociologist of religion
Sociology of religion
The sociology of religion concerns the role of religion in society: practices, historical backgrounds, developments and universal themes. There is particular emphasis on the recurring role of religion in all societies and throughout recorded history...
. LST also had strong connections with the Anglican theologian John Stott
John Stott
John Robert Walmsley Stott CBE was an English Christian leader and Anglican cleric who was noted as a leader of the worldwide Evangelical movement. He was one of the principal authors of the Lausanne Covenant in 1974...
, an important supporter and former council member of the college.
Academic reputation
According to an independent church history study by Ian Randall, the influence of LST in the evangelical world is "extremely pervasive" and the college holds a "position as a touchstone for the finest in distinctly evangelical scholarship" and "has been at the centre of theological education in Britain for over fifty years". According to Randall's research, LST's "unique international links mean that it is superbly placed to be a meeting point of western and non-western thought" and that the school "relates to the wider sphere of scholarship" beyond the evangelical world.Principals
- 1946-1965 - Ernest Kevan
- 1966-1980 - Gilbert Kirby
- 1980-1989 - Michael Griffiths
- 1990-1994 - Peter Cotterell
- 1994-2007 - Derek TidballDerek TidballDerek Tidball is a British theologian, sociologist of religion and Baptist minister. From 1995 to 2007 he was the principal of the London School of Theology.-Education:...
- 2008-2010 - Simon Steer
Courses
Undergraduate:- Theology - certificate, diploma and BA level
- Theology and Counselling - certificate, diploma and BA level
- Theology, Music and Worship - certificate, diploma and BA level
- Theology and Worship - certificate, diploma and BA level
Postgraduate:
- MA in Transformation: Scripture, Church and World
- MA in Christian-Muslim Relations
- MA in Integrative Psychotherapy
- MTh - Master of Theology
- MPhil - Master of Philosophy
- PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Distance learning:
Distance learning modules from diploma to MA level.
Notable alumni
- Rev. George CareyGeorge CareyGeorge Leonard Carey, Baron Carey of Clifton PC, FKC is a former Archbishop of Canterbury, holding the office from 1991 to 2002. He was the first modern holder of the office not to have attended Oxford or Cambridge University...
- Lord Hastings
- Mary Fisher
- Rachel Gardner
- Iain W. Provan
- Joel EdwardsJoel Edwards (UK)Joel Edwards was the General Director of the Evangelical Alliance until the end of 2008. He is now International Director for Micah Challenge and is also a Commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. He has presented on the BBC Radio 4 feature of The Today programme, Thought for the...
- Steve Clifford
- Rev. Edgar Dowse
Current faculty
- Chris Jack, Vice Principal
- Greg Downes, Director of the Centre for Missional Leadership and Lecturer in Evangelism and Apologetics
- John Azumah, Director of the Centre for Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations
- Conrad Gempf, Lecturer in New Testament
- Jean-Marc Heimerdinger, Lecturer in Hebrew and Judaism
- Tony Lane, Professor of Historical Theology
- Alison Lo, Lecturer in Old Testament
- Graham McFarlane, BA Course Leader and Senior Lecturer in Systematic Theology
- Steve Motyer, Theology and Counselling Course Leader and Lecturer in New Testament and Hermeneutics
- David Peacock, Senior Lecturer and Theology, Music & Worship Course Leader
- Anna Robbins, Senior Lecturer In Theology and Contemporary Culture
- Adrian Smith, Lecturer in Applied Theology and Academic Secretary
- Max Turner, Professor of New Testament Studies
- Steve Walton, Senior Lecturer in Greek and New Testament Studies and Director of Research
- John Wilks, Director of Open Learning
- Robert Willoughby, Lecturer in New Testament