David Adam Wilkinson, FRAS (born 16 May 1963) is a British Methodist minister, theologian, astrophysicist and academic. He is the current Principal of St John's College, Durham, and a professor in the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University.[1] He is the author of several books on the relationship between science and religion,[2][3] and a regular contributor to Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 4.[4] He has a PhD in astrophysics and is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.
The Reverend Professor David Wilkinson FRAS | |
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Born | (1963-05-16) 16 May 1963 (age 59) |
Nationality | British |
Occupation | Theological college principal |
Title | Principal of St John's College, Durham |
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Discipline | Astrophysics and theology |
Institutions | University of Liverpool University of Durham St John's College, Durham |
Wilkinson was born on 16 May 1963.[5] He studied at the University of Durham, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in 1984.[6] He remained at Durham to undertake a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in theoretical astrophysics.[6][7] His PhD was awarded in 1987: his doctoral thesis was titled "Molecular hydrogen in galaxies" and related to the study of star formation.[8][9]
After completing his science doctorate, Wilkinson changed direction.[7] He studied theology at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge alongside his training as a Methodist minister at Wesley House, Cambridge.[6][10] He graduated from the University of Cambridge with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1989: as per tradition, his BA was promoted to a Master of Arts (MA Cantab) degree.[6] He would later study for a PhD in systematic theology at the University of Durham, which he completed in 2004 with a doctoral thesis titled "Christian eschatology and the physical universe".[11]
After ordination, he was a Methodist minister in Letchworth from 1990 to 1991.[6] He then took on two posts: as minister of Elm Hall Drive Methodist Church in Liverpool and a chaplain at the University of Liverpool.[6][7] In 1999, he moved to Durham where he had been appointed a fellow in Christian apologetics at St John's College, Durham.[6][7] Then, from 2004 to 2006, he was Wesley Research Lecturer in Theology and Science in the University of Durham's Department of Theology and Religion.[6][12] In December 2005, it was announced that he would be returning to St John's College, having been appointed its next principal in succession to Professor Stephen Sykes.[13] He had to be given permission by the Methodist Church for the appointment due to the college's Anglican foundation: St John's college is both a college of Durham University and an evangelical Anglican theological college.[1] He took up the post in 2006.[6] He was additionally made a professor in the Department of Theology and Religion in 2011.[6]
Wilkinson's academic interests focus on the interaction between theology and science.[13] He has also published on Stephen Hawking, spirituality in contemporary cinema and the doctrine of holiness.[14] He has been a council member of the Evangelical Alliance.[14]
In 1992, Wilkinson married Alison.[6] She is also a Methodist minister.[13] Together they have one son and one daughter.[6]
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: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)the Rev Prof David Wilkinson, Principal of St John's College, University of Durham, 50
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