Paul Stuart Fiddes is a
BritishThe 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...
BaptistBaptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
theologian. He is
ProfessorThe University of Oxford introduced Titles of Distinction for senior academics in the 1990s. These are not chairs, which are posts funded by endowment for academics with a distinguished career in British and European universities...
of
Systematic TheologyIn the context of Christianity, systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that attempts to formulate an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs...
in the
University of OxfordThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
and was formerly Principal of
Regent's Park CollegeRegent's Park College is a Permanent Private Hall in the University of Oxford, situated in central Oxford, just off St Giles.The College admits both undergraduate and graduate students to take Oxford degrees in a variety of Arts, Humanities and Social Science subjects...
and Chairman of the
Theology FacultyThe Faculty of Theology, University of Oxford, co-ordinates the teaching of theology at the University of Oxford, England.The Theology Faculty Centre is at 34 St Giles' in central Oxford.- History :...
. He has been described as "one of the leading contemporary Baptist theologians", "one of the leading scholars of theology and literature writing today", and "one of Christianity's most distinguished scholars". His book
The Creative Suffering of God is "considered to be one of the major contributions to theology in the last decades of the 20th century".
Education
Fiddes was educated at
Drayton Manor Grammar SchoolDrayton Manor High School, formerly Drayton Manor Grammar School, is a comprehensive school located in Hanwell, Ealing, England. The current headteacher is Sir Pritpal Singh. The school is a specialist Humanities College. Its emblem is a phoenix rising from a crown with the legend 'Nec Aspera...
. In 1965 he went up to
St Peter's College, OxfordSt Peter's College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom, located in New Inn Hall Street. It occupies the site of two of the University's oldest Inns, or medieval hostels - Bishop Trellick's, later New Inn Hall, and Rose Hall - both of which were...
to read
Philosophy, Politics, and EconomicsPhilosophy, politics, and economics is a popular interdisciplinary undergraduate/graduate degree which combines study from the three disciplines...
. He quickly changed his course and ended up with a Triple First in English Language and Literature and Theology. The relationship between these disciplines has formed a major part of his subsequent scholarship. He then embarked on a doctoral thesis entitled
The hiddenness of wisdom in the Old Testament and later Judaism, which he completed in 1976, before spending a year at the
Eberhard Karls University of TübingenEberhard Karls University, Tübingen is a public university located in the city of Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is one of Germany's oldest universities, internationally noted in medicine, natural sciences and the humanities. In the area of German Studies it has been ranked first among...
undertaking post-doctoral studies with
Jürgen MoltmannJürgen Moltmann is a German Reformed theologian. The 2000 recipient of the Louisville Grawemeyer Award in Religion.-Moltmann's Youth:...
and Eberhard Jüngel.
Meanwhile, Fiddes studied at
Regent's Park CollegeRegent's Park College is a Permanent Private Hall in the University of Oxford, situated in central Oxford, just off St Giles.The College admits both undergraduate and graduate students to take Oxford degrees in a variety of Arts, Humanities and Social Science subjects...
(the Baptist
Permanent Private HallA Permanent Private Hall at the University of Oxford is an educational institution within the university. There are six Permanent Private Halls at Oxford, five of which admit undergraduates. They were founded by different Christian denominations....
at
OxfordThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
) for ordination as a minister in the
Baptist Union of Great BritainThe Baptist Union of Great Britain, despite its name, is the association of Baptist churches in England and Wales. -History:...
. In 1977 he returned to
Regent's ParkRegent's Park College is a Permanent Private Hall in the University of Oxford, situated in central Oxford, just off St Giles.The College admits both undergraduate and graduate students to take Oxford degrees in a variety of Arts, Humanities and Social Science subjects...
as Fellow and Tutor in Christian Doctrine and from 1979-85 he was additionally Lecturer in Theology at
St Peter'sSt Peter's College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom, located in New Inn Hall Street. It occupies the site of two of the University's oldest Inns, or medieval hostels - Bishop Trellick's, later New Inn Hall, and Rose Hall - both of which were...
.
Career
Fidedes has been a member of the
OxfordThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
Theology Faculty BoardThe Faculty of Theology, University of Oxford, co-ordinates the teaching of theology at the University of Oxford, England.The Theology Faculty Centre is at 34 St Giles' in central Oxford.- History :...
since 1989, serving as Chairman 1996-98. He was appointed Principal of
Regent's ParkRegent's Park College is a Permanent Private Hall in the University of Oxford, situated in central Oxford, just off St Giles.The College admits both undergraduate and graduate students to take Oxford degrees in a variety of Arts, Humanities and Social Science subjects...
in 1989 and
ProfessorThe University of Oxford introduced Titles of Distinction for senior academics in the 1990s. These are not chairs, which are posts funded by endowment for academics with a distinguished career in British and European universities...
of
Systematic TheologyIn the context of Christianity, systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that attempts to formulate an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs...
in the
University of OxfordThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
in 2002. In 2007 he resigned the Principalship of
Regent's ParkRegent's Park College is a Permanent Private Hall in the University of Oxford, situated in central Oxford, just off St Giles.The College admits both undergraduate and graduate students to take Oxford degrees in a variety of Arts, Humanities and Social Science subjects...
and was appointed Principal Emeritus, Professorial Research Fellow, and Director of Research.
In 2004 Fiddes was elected an Honorary Fellow of
St Peter'sSt Peter's College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom, located in New Inn Hall Street. It occupies the site of two of the University's oldest Inns, or medieval hostels - Bishop Trellick's, later New Inn Hall, and Rose Hall - both of which were...
, on which occasion he was described as being "recognised internationally as one of the leading scholars in the fields of theology and literature". Later in that year, he was awarded the degree of
Doctor of DivinityDoctor 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....
, the highest that the
UniversityThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
confers. In 2002 he was chosen to preach the University
Sermon on the Grace of Humility, and in 2005 he was appointed to deliver the
OxfordThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
Bampton LecturesThe Bampton Lectures at the University of Oxford, England, were founded by a bequest of John Bampton,. They have taken place since 1780.They were a series of annual lectures; since the turn of the 20th century they have typically been biennial. They continue to concentrate on Christian theological...
, choosing as his topic
Seeing the world and knowing God: ancient wisdom and modern doctrine. In 2004 he became an Honorary Doctor of Divinity of the
University of BucharestThe University of Bucharest , in Romania, is a university founded in 1864 by decree of Prince Alexander John Cuza to convert the former Saint Sava Academy into the current University of Bucharest.-Presentation:...
. He is also a Trustee Fellow of Georgetown College.
Professional Activities
Fiddes is a member of the editorial board of
Ecclesiology: The Journal for Ministry, Mission and Unity, a consultant editor for
Studies in Baptist History and Thought, published by
Paternoster PressPaternoster Press is a British Christian publishing house which was founded by Howard Mudditt in 1936. Mudditt was a Bank of England clerk who decided to move into publishing after seeing the many publishers based on London's Paternoster Row during his lunch hours; the firm was named after the...
, and a series editor of
New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies (
AshgateAshgate Publishing is an academic book and journal publisher based in Farnham, Surrey, United Kingdom. It was established in 1967 and specializes in the social sciences, arts, humanities, and professional practice...
). He is General Editor of the Regent's Study Guides series, published jointly by the college and the American publisher Smyth & Helwys.
Fiddes has served as a member of ecumenical study commissions for the
British Council of ChurchesChurches Together in Britain and Ireland is an ecumenical organisation. The members include most of the major churches in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. It was formerly known as the Council of Churches of Britain and Ireland...
and its successor
Churches Together in Britain and IrelandChurches Together in Britain and Ireland is an ecumenical organisation. The members include most of the major churches in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. It was formerly known as the Council of Churches of Britain and Ireland...
, Chairman of the Doctrine and Worship Committee of the
Baptist Union of Great BritainThe Baptist Union of Great Britain, despite its name, is the association of Baptist churches in England and Wales. -History:...
, Convenor of the Division for Theology and Education of the
European Baptist FederationThe European Baptist Federation is a federation of 51 Baptist associations and is one of six regional fellowships in the Baptist World Alliance. The EBF was founded in Ruschlikon, Switzerland, in 1949. It lays a great deal of emphasis on human rights, religious liberty and aid programs. The...
, Vice Chair of the Baptist Doctrine and Inter-Church Cooperation Study Commission of the
Baptist World AllianceThe Baptist World Alliance is a worldwide alliance of Baptist churches and organizations, formed in 1905 at Exeter Hall in London during the first Baptist World Congress.-History:...
. A committed ecumenist, Fiddes was Co-Chair of the
Anglican CommunionThe Anglican Communion is an international association of national and regional Anglican churches in full communion with the Church of England and specifically with its principal primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury...
-
Baptist World AllianceThe Baptist World Alliance is a worldwide alliance of Baptist churches and organizations, formed in 1905 at Exeter Hall in London during the first Baptist World Congress.-History:...
International Conversations from 2000 until 2005 and is, together with
the Most Reverend Dr Arthur J. SerratelliArthur Joseph Serratelli is the current bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson in northern New Jersey.-Early life:...
, Co-Moderator of the second series of Roman Catholic-
Baptist World AllianceThe Baptist World Alliance is a worldwide alliance of Baptist churches and organizations, formed in 1905 at Exeter Hall in London during the first Baptist World Congress.-History:...
International Conversations (Second Series 2006-10). Finally, Fiddes is also an Ecumenical Representative to the
General Synod of the Church of EnglandThe General Synod is the deliberative and legislative body of the Church of England. The synod was instituted in 1970, replacing the Church Assembly, and is the culmination of a process of rediscovering self-government for the Church of England that had started in the 1850s.- Church Assembly: 1919...
.
Lectures
In 2009, Fides delivered the Holley-Hull Lectures at
Samford UniversitySamford University, founded as Howard College is a private, coeducational, Alabama Baptist Convention-affiliated university located in Homewood, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, United States. It includes the , Cumberland School of Law, McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Brock School of Business, Ida V....
on the subject
Telling the Christian Story in Our World Today (for a full report see
Sean Flynt, "Self and God: Elusive Subjects in Modern Literature: Fiddes", Samford University Seasons (Winter 2009), p. 20). In 2009 he delivered the Nordenhaug Lectures at the
International Baptist Theological Seminary of the European Baptist FederationInternational Baptist Theological Seminary of the European Baptist Federation, or simply The International Baptist Theological Seminary , located in Prague, Czech Republic....
in
PraguePrague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
on the subject "Post Modernity and Wisdom". These lectures will be prepared for future publication. (Previous Nordenhaug Lecturers include
Miroslav VolfMiroslav Volf is an influential Christian theologian and currently the Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology at Yale University Divinity School and Director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture, which focuses in part on workplace spirituality. He has been a member in both the Episcopal...
, Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology at Yale Divinity School,
I. Howard MarshallIan Howard Marshall is Professor Emeritus of New Testament Exegesis and honorary research professor at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, specifically in the department of Divinity and Religious Studies...
, Professor of New Testament Exegesis in the University of Aberdeen,
Elisabeth Schüssler FiorenzaElisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza is a feminist theologian. She received her Theologicum , Lic. Theol., University of Würzburg, Thoel.D. from the University of Munster, Germany. She identifies as Catholic and her work is generally in the context of Christianity, although much of her work has broader...
, Krister Stendahl Professor of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School,
Jürgen MoltmannJürgen Moltmann is a German Reformed theologian. The 2000 recipient of the Louisville Grawemeyer Award in Religion.-Moltmann's Youth:...
, Professor of Systematic Theology in the University of Tübingen.) In 2010 (7–9 July) Fiddes was Main Speaker at the conference of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Theological Schools/Australian and New Zealand Society for Theological Studies, on "The Future of God", at
Trinity College (University of Melbourne)Trinity College is the oldest college of the University of Melbourne. Founded in 1872 on a site granted to the Church of England, Trinity is unique among Australian university colleges in its diverse education programs...
. At the same time he also spoke, as a keynote speaker, at the
Melbourne College of DivinityThe Melbourne College of Divinity is a theological education organisation located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.The MCD is an ecumenical consortium of a number of theological colleges from a number of denominations...
Centenary Conference (5–7 July). Fiddes was a keynote speaker at "The Power of the Word: Poetry, Theology and Life", a conference held jointly between
Heythrop CollegeHeythrop College is the specialist philosophy and theology constituent college of the University of London situated in Kensington Square, Kensington, London. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in philosophy, theology and psychology, as well as research in related fields.It was founded...
and the
Institute of English StudiesThe Institute of English Studies is a centre of excellence in the research, promotion and facilitation in the field English Literature and Language. With a specialisation in Book History, Palaeography and Textual Scholarship, the IES facilitates the advanced study and research of English Studies...
. Fiddes was also a keynote speaker at the 2010 Biennial Conference of the International Society for Religion, Literature and Culture,
St Catherine's College, OxfordSt Catherine's College, often called Catz, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its motto is Nova et Vetera...
(23–26 September 2010) on the topic "Attending to the Other: Critical Theory and Spiritual Practice".
Publications
Fiddes has written nine books, around eighty articles, and more than twenty-five book chapters (in addition to five articles in reference books). He has edited six books, and he has jointly authored four books and jointly edited two. His work is published by some of the world's leading publishers, including
Oxford University PressOxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
,
Cambridge University PressCambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by Henry VIII in 1534, it is the world's oldest publishing house, and the second largest university press in the world...
,
University of Wales PressThe University of Wales Press was founded in 1922 as a central service of the University of Wales. It publishes academic journals and around sixty books a year in the English and Welsh languages, based around a core of six subjects: History; Political Philosophy and Religious Studies;Welsh and...
,
Mercer University PressMercer University Press, established in 1979, is a publisher that is part of Mercer University....
,
Sheffield Academic PressSheffield Academic Press was an academic imprint, particularly highly regarded for publications in the fields of biblical studies and religious studies, based at the University of Sheffield. It was launched in the mid-1980s, co-founded by biblical scholars Philip R. Davies and David J. A. Clines....
, Blackwell,
AshgateAshgate Publishing is an academic book and journal publisher based in Farnham, Surrey, United Kingdom. It was established in 1967 and specializes in the social sciences, arts, humanities, and professional practice...
,
Springer- Selected publications :* Encyclopaedia of Mathematics* Ergebnisse der Mathematik und ihrer Grenzgebiete * Graduate Texts in Mathematics * Grothendieck's Séminaire de géométrie algébrique...
, Liturgical Press,
PaternosterPaternoster Press is a British Christian publishing house which was founded by Howard Mudditt in 1936. Mudditt was a Bank of England clerk who decided to move into publishing after seeing the many publishers based on London's Paternoster Row during his lunch hours; the firm was named after the...
, Eerdmans, SPCK,
SCMThe Student Christian Movement of Great Britain is a part of the World Student Christian Federation.-Vision Statement:SCM is a movement seeking to bring together students of all denominations to explore the Christian faith in an open-minded and non-judgemental environment.SCM seeks to promote a...
, DLT, and
Marshall PickeringHarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
.
One of Fiddes's most important works,
Past Event and Present Salvation: the Christian Idea of Atonement, was recently studied in Eamonn Mulcahy in
The Cause of Our Salvation: Soteriological Causality According to Some Modern British Theologians, 1988-98 alongside works by
Colin 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...
,
Vernon WhiteVernon 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...
, and
John McIntyreJohn McIntyre CVO was a Scottish minister and theologian.-Biography:McIntyre was born in Glasgow on 20 May 1916 into a working-class family; he was the son of a carpenter...
.
Chapters
- "The Theology of the Charismatic Movement" in
- "Covenant - Old and New" in
- "The Understanding of Salvation in the Baptist Tradition" in
- "C.S. Lewis the Myth-maker" in (Reprinted as Rumours of Heaven: Essays in Celebration of C.S. Lewis Guildford: Eagle, 1998)
- "The Status of Women in the Thought of Karl Barth" in
- "'Where Shall Wisdom be Found?' Job 28 as a Riddle for Ancient and Modern Readers" in
- "Facing the End: The Apocalyptic Experience in Some Modern Novels" in
- "Story and Possibility: Reflections on the Last Scenes of the Fourth Gospel and Shakespeare's The Tempest" in
- "The Story and the Stories: Revelation and the Challenge of Postmodern Culture" in (also published by Smyth & Helwys, 2001)
- "Creation out of Love" in (also published by SPCK 2001)
- "Millenium and Utopia: Images of a Fuller Presence" in
- "Baptism and the Process of Christian Initiation" in
- "The Quest for a Place Which Is 'Not-a-place': The Hiddenness of God and the Presence of God" in
- "The Canon as Space and Place" in
- "Baptism and Membership of the Body of Christ: A Theological and Ecumenical Conundrum" in
- "On God the Incomparable: Thinking about God with John Macquarrie" in
- "When Text Becomes Voice: 'You've Got Mail'" in (Also published by Smyth & Helwys, Georgia, 2006.)
- "Baptism of Believers" in
- "Ex Opere Operato: Rethinking a Historic Baptist Rejection" in
- "Spirituality as Attentiveness: Stillness and Journey" in
- "Christianity, Culture and Education: A Baptist Perspective" in
- "Something Will Come of Nothing: On A Theology of the Dark Side" in
- "Daniel Turner and a Theology of the Church Universal" in
- "The Body as Site of Continuity and Change" in (see Pamela Sue Anderson
Pamela Sue Anderson is a philosopher who specialises in philosophy of religion, feminist philosophy and continental philosophy. In 2007 she was Official Fellow, Tutor in Philosophy and Christian Ethics, Dean, and Women's Advisor of Regent's Park College in the University of Oxford...
)
- "Church and Sect: Cross-currents in Early Baptist Life" in
- "On Theology" in
- "Dual Citizenship in Athens and Jerusalem: The Place of the Christian Scholar in the Life of the Church" in
Encyclopaedia, handbook, and companion articles
- "Process Theology" in
- "Suffering, Divine" in
- "Salvation" in
- "The Passion Story in Literature" in
- "G. M. Hopkins" in
Journal articles
- Fiddes has published around a further seventy articles which are not yet included in this list.
Book reviews
- Review of Hans Urs von Balthasar, The Glory of the Lord, vol. vii, Theology: The New Covenant, trans. Brian McNeil, ed. John Riches (Edinburgh: T.&T. Clark, 1989), The Expository Times 102.11 (1991), 349-350
Books
(with Keith Clements, Roger Hayden, Brian Haymes, and Richard Kidd) (with Brian Haymes, Richard Kidd (ed.), and Michael Quicke) (with Brian Haymes, Richard Kidd, and Michael Quicke ) (with Richard Kidd, Brian Haymes, and Michael Quicke)
Chapter
- "Baptists and Spirituality: A Rule of Life" in (with Stephen Finamore)
As sole editor
(also published by Smyth & Helwys, Macon, Georgia, 2001) (also published by Smyth & Helwys, Macon, Georgia, 2006)
As joint editor
(with Edwin Brandt and Joachim Molthagen) (with William H. BrackneyWilliam H. Brackney is the Millard R. Cherry Distinguished Professor of Christian Theology and Ethics at Acadia Divinity College in Wolfville, Nova Scotia and an ordained Baptist minister, presently accredited by the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches and the American Baptist Churches, USA...
and John H.Y. Briggs)
Further Reading
- Reviews of The Creative Suffering of God
- Warren McWilliams, review in Journal of the American Academy of Religion 58.4 (1990), 705-7
- Jeff B. Pool, review in The Journal of Religion 70.3 (1990), 471-472
- Roger E. Olson
Roger E. Olson is Professor of Theology, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA.He is also an ordained Baptist minister.He is married with two children.-Bibliography:Among Olson's many works are:...
, review in Scottish Journal of Theology 43 (1990), 114-115Book reviews
- Reviews of Freedom and Limit