Rev Dr Stephen Holmes
Senior Lecturer in Theology
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
- Young Kwang Song
- Timothy Laurence
Selected publications
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Open access
Can the Eucharist be celebrated in an online gathering? A theological analysis
Holmes, S. R., 11 Dec 2023, In: Journal of European Baptist Studies. 23, 2, p. 87-106 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Evaluating a neglected tradition of (Ana)baptist christology
Holmes, S. R., 10 Mar 2023, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Scottish Journal of Theology. FirstView, 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
The Church of Helwys, Murton, and Lambe: an argument for continuity
Holmes, S. R., 30 Jun 2023, In: Baptist Quarterly. 54, 3, p. 134-154 21 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
A Reformed account of Eucharistic sacrifice
Holmes, S. R., Apr 2022, In: International Journal of Systematic Theology. 24, 2, p. 191-211 21 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Of subjunctives and apologetics: a response to Judith Wolfe
Holmes, S. R., 18 Oct 2022, In: International Journal of Public Theology. 16, 3, p. 284-287 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter
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Open access
Baptist identity: once more
Holmes, S. R., Jun 2021, In: Journal of Baptist Theology in Context.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Gender and ministry: once more
Holmes, S. R., 1 Jul 2021, Re-membering the body: the witness of history, theology, and the arts in honour of Ruth M.B. Gouldbourne. Cross, A. R. & Haymes, B. (eds.). Eugene, OR: Wipf and StockResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Open access
General Baptist ‘primitivism,’ the Radical Reformation, and Matthew Caffyn: a response to Kegan A. Chandler
Holmes, S. R., 20 May 2021, In: Journal of European Baptist Studies. 21, 1, p. 123-139Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Gunton and Coleridge
Holmes, S. R., 11 Feb 2021, The T&T Clark companion to Colin Gunton. Picard, A., Habets, M. & Rae, M. (eds.). London: T&T Clark, p. 315-326 12 p. (T&T Clark handbooks).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Open access
When did John Smyth embrace 'Arminianism' and was the first Baptist congregation 'Particular'?
Holmes, S. R., 2021, In: Baptist Quarterly. 52, 4, p. 146-157 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review