Denys Turner
Encyclopedia
Denys Alan Turner is a British academic in the field of philosophy
and theology
. He is currently Professor of Historical Theology
at Yale University
having been appointed in 2005, previously having been Norris-Hulse Professor of Divinity
at Cambridge University
. He earned his PhD
in Philosophy from Oxford University. He has written widely on political theory and social theory
in relation to Christian theology
, as well as on Medieval thought
, in particular, mystical theology
.
Prior to his position at Cambridge, he was Professor of Theology and Head of Department at Birmingham
and has also held Head of Department at the University of Bristol
. Turner also worked at University College, Dublin and Manhattanville College
, New York.
Turner has three children: Ruth
, John and Brendan.
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
. He is currently Professor of Historical Theology
Historical theology
Historical theology is a branch of theological studies that investigates the socio-historical and cultural mechanisms that give rise to theological ideas, systems, and statements. Research and method in this field focus on the relationship between theology and context as well as the major...
at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
having been appointed in 2005, previously having been Norris-Hulse Professor of Divinity
Norris-Hulse Professor of Divinity
The Norris-Hulse Professorship of Divinity is one of the senior professorships in divinity at the University of Cambridge.The Norrisian chair was founded in 1777 by a bequest from John Norris...
at Cambridge University
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
. He earned his PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in Philosophy from Oxford University. He has written widely on political theory and social theory
Social theory
Social theories are theoretical frameworks which are used to study and interpret social phenomena within a particular school of thought. An essential tool used by social scientists, theories relate to historical debates over the most valid and reliable methodologies , as well as the primacy of...
in relation to Christian theology
Christian theology
- Divisions of Christian theology :There are many methods of categorizing different approaches to Christian theology. For a historical analysis, see the main article on the History of Christian theology.- Sub-disciplines :...
, as well as on Medieval thought
Medieval philosophy
Medieval philosophy is the philosophy in the era now known as medieval or the Middle Ages, the period roughly extending from the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century AD to the Renaissance in the sixteenth century...
, in particular, mystical theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
.
Prior to his position at Cambridge, he was Professor of Theology and Head of Department at Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
and has also held Head of Department at the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
. Turner also worked at University College, Dublin and Manhattanville College
Manhattanville College
Manhattanville College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, located in Purchase, New York. Founded in 1841 it was known initially as Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart...
, New York.
Turner has three children: Ruth
Ruth Turner (political advisor)
Ruth Turner , was formerly Director of Government Relations within Tony Blair's Downing Street office.-Biography:...
, John and Brendan.
Works cited
Turner has written a number of books on philosophy and theology, has contributed to dozens of others and has written a large number of articles in the course of his academic career.- On the Philosophy of Karl Marx, Dublin: Sceptre (1968), pp. 93.
- Marxism and Christianity, Oxford: Blackwell (1983), pp. 256. Paperback edn. 1984.
- Eros and Allegory, Kalamazoo: Cistercian Publications (1995), pp. vi + 471.
- The Darkness of God, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (1995), pp. xi + 278. Paperback edition published September, 1998. Fourth impression, November, 1999. Electronic edition, 2002.
- Faith Seeking, London: SCM (2002), pp.xiii + 146.
- Faith, Reason, and the Existence of God, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (2004), pp. xix + 271.
- Julian of Norwich, Theologian, New Haven: Yale University Press (2011), pp. 304. ISBN 13: 9780300163919. ISBN 10: 0300163916.