James Atkinson (theologian)

James Atkinson (27 April 1914 – 30 July 2011) was an English Anglican priest, biblical scholar, and theologian specialising in Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. He was Professor of Biblical Studies at the University of Sheffield from 1967 to 1979, Canon Theologian of Sheffield Cathedral from 1970 to 1993, and Director of the Centre for Reformation Studies in Sheffield from 1983 to 2006.[2][5][1][3]

The Reverend James Atkinson
Born	27 April 1914 Tynemouth, England
Died	30 July 2011 (aged 97)
Spouse(s)	Laura Nutley ​ ​ (m. 1939; died 1967)​ [1]
Ecclesiastical career
Religion	Christianity (Anglican)
Church	Church of England
Ordained	1937 (deacon) 1938 (priest)
Offices held	Canon Theologian of Leicester Cathedral (1954–1970)[1] Canon Theologian of Sheffield Cathedral (1970–1993)
Academic background
Alma mater	St John's College, Durham University of Münster[1]
Thesis	Luther and St. John's Gospel (1955)
Doctoral advisor	Robert Stupperich[2]
Other academic advisors	Michael Ramsey[1][2]
Academic work
Discipline	Biblical studies history theology
Sub-discipline	Biblical theology[3] ecclesiastical history[4] historical theology
Institutions	University of Hull[1] University of Sheffield
Main interests	Martin Luther Reformation

Early life

Atkinson was born on 27 April 1914 in Tynemouth, Northumberland.[5] He was the eldest of three sons born to Nicholas Ridley Atkinson, a civil engineer with the Tynemouth Improvement Commission, and his wife Margaret.[2][3] He was educated at Tynemouth High School.[1] He then went to St John's College, Durham, where he studied theology. He became captain of boats at the college's boat club.[5]

One of his brothers was Sir Robert Atkinson, a decorated Royal Navy officer and businessman. The other brother died during the Second World War, in March 1943, when the merchant ship on which he was serving was torpedoed and sank.[6]

Ecclesiastical career

Atkinson was ordained a deacon in the Church of England in 1937 and a priest in 1938.[1][5] He was a curate at Holy Cross Church, Fenham, Newcastle, from 1937 to 1941.[5] He continued his studies at the University of Durham and completed a Master of Arts (MA) degree in 1939.[3] In 1941, he joined the clergy of Sheffield Cathedral. He was succentor for one year, before serving as precentor from 1942 to 1944.[7]

He died on 30 July 2011.

Works

• Atkinson, James, ed. (1962). Luther: Early Theological Works. London: SCM Press.
• Atkinson, James, ed. (1966). Luther's Works: The Christian in Society I. Philadelphia: Fortress Press. ISBN 0800603443.
• Atkinson, James (1968). Martin Luther and the Birth of Protestantism. London: Pelican.
• Atkinson, James (1968). The Great Light. Exeter, England: Paternoster.
• Atkinson, James, ed. (1987). Daily Readings with Martin Luther. Springfield, Illinois: Templegate Publishers. ISBN 0872431576.

References

1. Thiselton, Anthony C. (7 September 2011). "The Rev James Atkinson Obituary". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
2. Townley, Peter (19 August 2011). "Rev Canon Prof James Atkinson: Priest and Theologian Acclaimed as an Authority on Luther and the Reformation". The Independent. London. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
3. "Professor Canon James Atkinson". The Times. London. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
4. Moore, Andrew (2003). Realism and Christian Faith: God, Grammar, and Meaning. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-521-81109-5.
5. "The Reverend Professor James Atkinson". The Daily Telegraph. London. 11 September 2011. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
6. "Sir Robert Atkinson". The Times. London. 29 January 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
7. "James Atkinson". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 23 June 2018.