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Theologian honoured at Aberdeen University

David Fergusson
David Fergusson

Returning to a place with many happy memories was the Reverend Professor David Fergusson, who he was made an honorary Doctor in Divinity at Aberdeen University yesterday.

Originally from Glasgow, the distinguished Scottish theologian came to the city in 1990 to take up the chair of systematic theology – a position he held for 10 years.

Now professor of divinity at New College at Edinburgh University, he previously served as a parish minister in the Church of Scotland for several years.

Yesterday he was recognised for his research focusing on the Christian doctrines of creation and providence, the history and creation of the Reformed churches and the relationship of the church to society.

The current chair of systematic theology, Professor Paul Nimmo, told the audience: “He is an academic who succeeds in combining the religious interest and the scientific spirit to the highest degree and with the finest balance of theory and practice.”

Rev Prof Fergusson, 57, was joined on the day by his wife Margot and his sons Mark, 25 and Calum, 21.

Among his many achievements is the delivery of the Cunningham Lectures in Edinburgh in 1999, the Bampton Lectures in Oxford in 2001, the Gifford Lectures at Glasgow University in 2008 and the Warfield Lectures at Princeton Theological Seminary in 2009.

He said: “It’s a great honour to return to Aberdeen. Having been here in the 1990s, I’ve met with a number of friends and former colleagues and members of the congregation of the Holburn West Church.

“My two boys grew up in Aberdeen and went to Ashley Road Primary, so it has proven a nostalgic visit for them too, and my wife also studied pharmacology here at Robert Gordon University, so it’s a happy return for her.

“And I was very honoured to be laureated by one of my former doctor students from Edinburgh, Paul Nimmo.

“I always found Aberdeen to be a very friendly university which was very well supported by the community,” he added.

“The connection to the city is part of its strength.”

Rev Prof Fergusson was President of the Society for the Study of Theology from 2000 until 2002 and is a director and editorial board member of the Scottish Journal of Theology.

In 2013 he was elected a Fellow of the British Academy.