Bishop F. Percy Goddard Professor of Liturgical Studies and Pastoral Theology

CV | bryan.spinks@yale.edu Phone:(203) 432-5180
Denomination: Church of England

Professor Spinks teaches courses on marriage liturgy, English Reformation worship traditions, the eucharistic prayer and theology, Christology, and liturgy of the Eastern churches. Research interests include East Syrian rites, Reformed rites, issues in theology and liturgy, and worship in a postmodern age. His current work focuses on sacramental theology and liturgy in England and Scotland, 1689–1790. Research interests include East Syrian rites, Reformed rites, issues in theology and liturgy, and worship in a postmodern age. His most recent books are Early and Medieval Rituals and Theologies of Baptism: From the New Testament to the Council of Trent (2006); Reformation and Modern Rituals and Theologies of Baptism: From Luther to Contemporary Practices (2006); and Liturgy in the Age of Reason: Worship and Sacraments in England and Scotland, 1662–c. 1800 (2008). The Worship Mall: Liturgical Initiatives and Responses in a Postmodern Global World is to be published by SPCK, London, in July 2010. Other recent publications include “Liturgical Theology and Criticism—Things of Heaven and Things of the Earth: Some Reflections on Worship, World Christianity, and Culture” in Christian Worship Worldwide: Expanding Horizons, Deepening Practices; “Renaissance Liturgical Reforms: Reflections on Intentions and Methods” in Reformation & Renaissance Review; “Eastern Christian Liturgical Traditions, Oriental Orthodox” in The Blackwell Companion to Eastern Christianity; and “The Growth of Liturgy and the Church Year” in The Cambridge History of Christianity, Vol. II: Constantine to c. 600. He is currently writing a book on the eucharist and working on the Syriac Liturgy of St. James. Professor Spinks is coeditor of the Scottish Journal of Theology, a former consultant to the Church of England Liturgical Commission, president emeritus of the Church Service Society of the Church of Scotland, and a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and of Churchill College, Cambridge. He is a regular Sunday Presbyter in the Middlesex Area Cluster Ministry.  Professor Spinks is a fellow of Morse College.

Education

D.D. University of Durham
B.D. University of Durham
M.Th. University of London
Dip. Theol. University of Durham
B.A. University of Durham

Books

Addai and Mari-The Anaphora of the Apostles: A Text for Students, 1980

Luther's Liturgical Criteria and His Reform of the Canon of the Mass, 1982

Freedom or Order? The Eucharistic Liturgy in English Congregationalism 1645-1980, 1984

From the Lord, and "the Best Reformed Church". A Study of the Eucharistic Liturgy in the English Puritan and Separatist Traditions 1550-1633, 1985

Christ our Light, 1990

The Sanctus in the Eucharistic Prayer, 1991

Western Use and Abuse of the Eastern Liturgical Tradition, 1993

Worship: Prayers from the East, 1993

Worship in Transition. Highlights of the Liturgical Movement
(with J.R.K. Fenwick, 1995)