More about Graham Gould - theology and church activities
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More about Graham Gould - theology and church activities
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Theology and spirituality
The image on this page is a detail from a hand-painted icon of St Antony the Great (died c.356), the earliest of the Desert Fathers, who is traditionally seen as the founder of the Christian monastic movement of fourth-century Egypt. I studied the Desert Fathers for my PhD in Cambridge under the supervision of Rowan Williams, and developed a broad interest in the mysticism and spirituality of both the Eastern and Western Christian traditions.
Early monasticism has remained part of my research interests since I completed my PhD, but I have studied and taught most areas of early Christian theology and life, and have supervised and examined PhD theses in several fields besides the early church, including liturgy and Anglican theology.
I regard myself as a liberal in the 'Prayer Book Catholic' tradition in the Church of England: my views have been shaped particularly by the sacramental theology of the Book of Common Prayer, as well as by the writings of the Church Fathers. Besides Rowan Williams, I have been influenced by the teaching and writing of severak twentieth-century Anglican liberal theologians, including John Robinson, Leslie Houlden, and Maurice Wiles.
As a critical scholar one of my aims is to show that the study of the Bible and early Christian writings in their historical context is conducive to making their message relevant to congregations today. I believe that important theological ideas can be made accessible and interesting to ordinary churchgoers as well as students.
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Church activities
As well as my work as a church warden, treasurer, and authorized preacher for my parish church of Harrow Green (Leytonstone, London E11) I have been a deanery synod member since 1999 and was formerly a member of Chelmsford Diocesan Synod and Bishop's Council (2000-03), of the committee of Chelmsford WATCH (Women and the Church), and of the London Diocesan Liturgical Group (a role which involved both clergy and lay training activities).
Besides lectures and seminars to church groups, study days, and courses on the Desert Fathers and other aspects of the early church, I have led tutors' training days for the Course in Christian Studies (Diocese of Chelmsford) and contributed study days on the Psalms and the Passion of Jesus to the Barking Programme (a theological education programme for laity in the Barking episcopal area).
From 1999 to 2005 I was a member of the Research Degrees Panel, a Ministry Division committee which makes grants to ordinands to enable them to study for higher degrees in theology during their ordination training. I am currently (2005-7) external examiner for the Bachelor of Theology and Certificate in Theology courses of the University of Oxford - the courses taken by many ordinands at the three Church of England theological colleges in Oxford.
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Further information
For contact details please return to my other page 'Graham Gould - theological lecturer and writer' via the link below. Follow the links to Harrow Green Parish Church's websites for more information about my current church and teaching activities.
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