The death has been announced of evangelical theologian, Biblical scholar and college principal Professor Anthony Thiselton. He was Principal of St John’s, Durham, from 1988 to 1992.
Tony Thiselton was one of the leading Biblical scholars of his generation, where his main contribution was in the area of hermeneutics but he had a wide range of interests with contributions in systematics, philosophical theology and ethics. He was ordained in 1961, and served the Church England in both parish ministry and at General Synod. In addition to being Principal of St John’s Durham, he had also been Principal of St John’s Nottingham and head of theology at the University of Nottingham. As well as a number of honorary degrees, he was a Fellow of the British Academy.
Professor David Wilkinson of St John’s College, Durham, said: ‘Anthony Thiselton was a well loved Principal of this College. I owe him a great deal. During my time as Principal he was encouraging and supportive as a friend and counsellor. As a Biblical scholar his work was foundational to the development of the subject not just in universities but also in the mission and ministry of the church. For evangelical Christians his approach was at times provocative but always faithful to the text. His work and commentaries on 1 Corinthians have had a profound impact on my own thinking, not least in articulating the Christian hope of resurrection of the body in new creation. It is in the light of that hope that we assure Rosemary and the family of our thoughts and prayers at this time.’
