Rev Dr Stephen Holmes
Senior Lecturer in Theology
Head of School
Research areas
I have published widely across the disciplines of systematic and historical theology, and into practical theology, philosophical theology, and patristics as well. The centre of my research agenda up till now, however, has been historical, focusing on the development of the Reformed and Baptist traditions of theology from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, and on the broader history of the doctrine of God, particularly the idea of God's triunity. Presently, my research is moving in three particular directions, growing out of this background:
1. I continue to be interested in studying the history and theology of the Baptist denominations. At the moment, I am particularly focused on seventeenth-century General Baptists, and eighteenth-century Particular Baptists. Regarding the former, I have a book in preparation on Matthew Caffyn, the seventeenth-century General Baptist messenger, and some potential collaborative work on Baptist-Quaker controversies in that century; regarding the latter, I am editing Andrew Fuller's sermons for the new De Gruyter critical edition of his works. In pursuing this project, a student and I have recently deciphered Fuller's shorthand for the first time.
2. I am working towards a second monograph on the doctrine of the Trinity, which will be more constructive than theological. I will examine a number of areas of Trinitarian doctrine which never achieved particular prominence, but which helpfully highlight some of the controversial issues in Trinitarian doctrine today.
3. Most immediately, I am working on writing up a book using the question of the extent of the atonement as a test case for a methodological proposal about the nature of systematic theology.
PhD supervision
- Jonathan Walton
- Timothy Laurence
- Michael Warner
- Alistair Cuthbert
- Martin Bakker
Selected publications
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Andrew Fuller?s Soham farewell sermons: context and text
Holmes, S. R. & Woods, J., 13 Aug 2019, In : Baptist Quarterly. Latest Articles, 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
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Asymmetrical assumption: why Lutheran christology does not lead to kenoticism or divine passibility
Holmes, S. R., 12 Nov 2019, In : Scottish Journal of Theology. 72, 4, p. 357-374Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
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Defining 'Doctrine' and seeking a third way: Reflections on Fred Sanders' The Triune God
Holmes, S. R., 3 Dec 2019, In : Midwestern Journal of Theology. 18, 2, p. 12-20 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
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Towards a Typology of Baptist Theology
Holmes, S. R., Nov 2019, In : Pacific Journal of Baptist Research. 14, 2, p. 2-12Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
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Soteriology and the Prayers of Passiontide
Holmes, S. R., Oct 2018, Rhythms for Living Faithfully. Goodliff, A. & Goodliff, P. (eds.). Wipf and StockResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding ? Chapter
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The nature of theology and the extent of the Atonement
Holmes, S. R., 24 Dec 2018, In : Perichoresis. 16, 4, p. 3-18 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
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Classical trinitarianism and eternal functional subordination: some historical and dogmatic reflections
Holmes, S. R., 11 Jul 2017, In : Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology. 35, 1, p. 90-104Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
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On not handling snakes: Late modern cultural assumptions about sexuality
Holmes, S. R., Jun 2017, Marriage, Family, and Relationships. Noble, T., Whittle, S. & Johnston, P. (eds.). IVPResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding ? Chapter
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Penal Substitutionary Atonement
Holmes, S. R., Aug 2017, T&T Clark Companion on the Atonement. T&T ClarkResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding ? Chapter
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Radicalising the Communicatio: Jenson?s theology in confessional Lutheran perspective
Holmes, S. R., 2017, Constrictive Responses to Robert Jenson. Augsburg Fortress PublishersResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding ? Chapter