Dr Neil MacDonald

Neil MacDonald is the author of:

•The SPCK Introduction to Martin Luther (London: SPCK, forthcoming 2008).

•Metaphysics and the God of Israel: Systematic Theology of the Old and New Testaments (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006),

•Karl Barth and the Strange New World within the Bible: Barth, Wittgenstein, and the Metadilemmas of the Enlightenment 2nd edition (Carlisle: Paternoster, 2001)

He is the co-editor of and contributor to:

• Barth, Calvin, and Reformed Theology (Carlisle: Paternoster, 2008)


He has also written articles in systematic theology and biblical hermeneutics. Examples of these are:

•‘Divine Speech as Godly Action: The Metaphysics of Exodus 14’, Bartholomew, C Steven Evans, Mary Healy, and Murray Rae (eds), Behind the Text: History and Biblical Interpretation (Grand Rapids: Zondervan (USA)/Carlisle: Paternoster (UK), 2003).

•‘Illocutionary Stance in Hans Frei’s The Eclipse of Biblical Narrative: An Exercise in Conceptual Redescription and Normative Analysis’, Bartholomew, Greene, and Müller (eds), After Pentecost: Language and Biblical Interpretation (Grand Rapids: Zondervan (USA)/Carlisle: Paternoster (UK), 2001)

•‘How Might the Philosophy of Language Aid the Renewal of Biblical Hermeneutics?’, Bartholomew, Greene, and Müller (eds), The Renewal of Biblical Interpretation (Grand Rapids: Zondervan USA)/Carlisle: Paternoster, 2000).


Previously taught systematic theology at the Universities of Aberdeen, St Andrews, and Edinburgh. A member of: the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, USA (Visiting Research Fellow, 2002-3); the American Academy of Religion; the Tyndale Fellowship for biblical and theological research; the Society for the Study of Theology.


Currently writing a book on Martin Luther 's theology as one of two metaphysical pillars of the mainstream theological tradition (the other being Thomistic metaphysics). Also researches into: Luther's understanding of the last supper as God's last will and testament; systematic theology and canonical shaping; theological explanations of divine action in the world; different conceptualities of thinking about the relation between God and Jesus of Nazareth; the theology of Karl Barth; the philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein.

MTh in Advanced Studies for the Christian Ministry

He is the convenor of the taught Masters programme in Advanced Studies for the Christian Ministry

Taught modules are:

• Old and New Testaments as Canonical Scripture for the Church

• Theological, Pastoral, and Missiological Reflection on Ministry

• Great Theological Ideas for the Church Today

• Research Methods: Theory and Practice for Ministerial Studies

See webpage:

http://www.roehampton.ac.uk/pg/christianministry/index.html

for more details.

Reviews of Metaphysics and the God of Israel: Systematic Theology of the Old and New Testaments

“Neil MacDonald’s reflection moves back, forth and sideways between critical biblical study, high-modern philosophy in the analytical tradition, and classical Christian doctrine. Most who have attempted such explorations have reported mostly blockades and traps. MacDonald discovers instead sudden opportunities of faithful insight and of – very often unexpected – theological construction. A remarkable and, I think,important book, to be read with attention.”
Robert W. Jenson, Formerly Senior Scholar for Research at the Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton, Professor Emeritus of Religion, St. Olaf College, Minnesota

“MacDonald’s is a voice crying in the wilderness. This is a brilliant effort to combine the very best in historical-critical and theological exegesis with dogmatic and philosophical reflection of a very high level. The writing style is lucid and at times almost poetic,which a theme as exalted as God’s work in time requires. Sophisticated and full of insight. May his tribe increase.”
Christopher R. Seitz, Professor of Old Testament and Theological Studies,
University of St Andrews

“Neil MacDonald’s latest book is the first major effort in many decades to attempt to reintegrate systematic theology with biblical studies. The author’s grasp of the whole spectrum of modern biblical scholarship, both in Old and New Testaments, is highly impressive. Because of his unique mastery of philosophical theory as well, he is superbly equipped for this exciting task. His book will certainly serve to open up a fresh dialogue, which is long overdue.”
Brevard S. Childs, Emeritus Professor of Old Testament, Yale Divinity School

Reviews of Karl Barth and the Strange New World within the Bible:

‘It is a rare and exciting event to find a theologian within the English-speaking world who is so deeply involved with the current biblical debates concerning creation, covenant, and resurrection. His learned and profound analysis represents a major hermeneutical step forward as he recovers the genuine stature of Barth's interpretation of Scripture.’
Brevard Childs, Sterling Professor of Divinity (Emeritus), Yale University, USA.


‘MacDonald has a masterly grasp of Barth’s distinctive theological vision …
This is a book which will bear reading and re-reading.’
Trevor Hart, Professor of Divinity, University of St Andrews, Scotland.


‘Neil MacDonald has done the impossible in this amazing new book - that is, he has rescued Barth from his friends and his enemies by helping us see how Barth might end the problematics of modernity. MacDonald has, moreover, accomplished this task by an extraordinary, fruitful comparison between Wittgenstein and Barth. Anyone working in contemporary theology must read this book.’
Stanley Hauerwas, Gilbert T Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics, Duke University, USA.


‘Brilliant and nuanced’
Christopher R Seitz, Professor of Old Testament and Theological Studies, University of St Andrews, Scotland.