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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Evening all, Our next edition of the journal - on migration, displacement, and belonging - is advancing through the editorial process. Something else to look out for this autumn is the annual New College Festival of Books and Belief, hosted by @uoedivinity.bsky.social.

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Evening all, We are delighted to announce the publication of our latest edition on the theme of Mental Health. As always, our digital edition is open access. Enjoy. Thank you for following and for sharing: ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI...

ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk

Vol. 33 No. 1 (2026): Theology and Mental Health | Theology in Scotland

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

The Gifford Lectures with Prof Paula Fredriksen are now finished, but if you missed any, were unable to make it, or would like to watch them again, the good news is that they're all online! All six are linked in this 🧵⬇️ #Giffords2026

Flyer: THE GIFFORD LECTURES / THE CONVERSIONS OF CHRISTIANITY / WITH PROF. PAULA FREDRIKSEN

Background of image is the 3rd C. 'Christus-Sol' mosaic from tomb of the Julii in the Vatican.

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

In the sixth and final lecture, Prof Fredriksen traced how a marginal Jewish sect transformed into an imperial state religion; she charted this development across centuries, but memorably summarised it in her statement: ‘𝐎𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧, 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧.’ #Giffords2026

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

In the fifth of her Gifford Lectures, Prof Fredriksen challenged any neat ‘parting of the ways’ between Judaism and Christianity, arguing instead for diversity and long entanglement; as she puts it, ‘The parting of the ways was more like a snarl.’ #Giffords2026

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Join us for our sixth & final Gifford Lecture: 'The Conversions of Christianity' -- Prof Fredriksen traces how Christianity reshaped ideas of God, humanity, and the cosmos across the ancient world. Can't make it person? You can still join online here: 🔗 cahss.ed.ac.uk/20252026-pro...

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

In the 'Gifford Seminar', Profs Paula Fredriksen, Helen Bond, & Paul Foster (from @uoedivinity.bsky.social) at @royalsoced.bsky.social explore how a small Jewish movement became a religion that reshaped the ancient world, engaging questions about belief, culture, & power. #Giffords2026 📺⬇️

youtube.com

The Conversions of Christianity

YouTube video by The Royal Society of Edinburgh

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Reposted by Theology in Scotland

Matt Thiessen @mattthiessen.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Never in my life did I think I would get a mention in the freaking *GIFFORD LECTURES*! (OK, for over half of my life I didn't know what the Giffords were, but still...)

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

In Lecture 4, ‘The End, and New Beginnings’, Prof Fredriksen provocatively argued ‘Paul was an ethnic essentialist’, dividing the world into Jews and non-Jews. But this came with a difference: Gentiles could ameliorate their ‘physis’ for pneumatic bodies. 1/4 #Giffords2026

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

We’re back in less than 30min for the 2nd week of the Gifford Lectures. Today, Prof Paula Fredriksen explores the apostle Paul in the context of Jewish apocalypticism and ancient ethnography. Join us in person or online. 🔗 cahss.ed.ac.uk/20252026-pro...

Gifford Lectures poster; Image: fresco Paul from 6th century (Bülbül Dag, above the ruins of ancient Ephesus)

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Prof Fredriksen’s Gifford Lectures have progressively narrowed the lens on the Ancient Mediterranean: from a wide-angle view of divine cosmologies, to a focus on the Jewish ethnos participating in that milieu, & now Jesus of Nazareth as a historical individual. #Giffords2026 1/6

Prof Fredriksen lecturing inside the Informatics Forum.

Down Cockburn Street, Edinburgh (taken during my walk to the lecture).

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Reposted by Theology in Scotland

David A. Burnett @davidaburnett.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

I really wish I could be there in person at my academic home away from home, the University of Edinburgh, to hear one of the finest scholars of early Judaism and Christianity, Paula Fredriksen, give the 2026 Gifford Lectures. I’m honored and elated that Paula is my external examiner for my PhD.

eventbrite.com

Gifford Lectures 2026 | Prof Paula Fredriksen | Conversions of Christianity

How did Christianity become global? Join Paula Fredriksen for six fascinating lectures on its early rise.

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Reposted by Theology in Scotland

Ryan Collman @ryancollman.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Almost exactly 5 years to the day, I finally got a “post-viva” picture with my examiners.

A photo of me with Paula Fredriksen and Philippa Townsend.

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Lecture 2, #Giffords2026 Israel Abroad: Jews among the Gods ‘To understand Roman-era Christianities, we need to understand Roman-era Judaisms.’ Prof Fredriksen orients us to the diversity of ancient Judaisms. A few quotes from the lecture: 1/

Outside the Edinburgh Informatics Forum; "Davy Forsyth Bite Book is a stainless steel hardback book placed on the so-called nano stage, a homage to bookshop owner Jim Haynes’ involvement in the Festival Fringe and Traverse Theatre."

Inside the Edinburgh Informatics Forum, Prof. Fredriksen at lectern.

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

It was glorious sunny day here in Edinburgh, but the 2026 Gifford Lectures were able to draw everyone into the University of Edinburgh's Informatics Forum for Prof Paula Fredriksen's opening lecture. 1/ If you're attending, do join the conversation with #Giffords2026

Bluebells; University of Edinburgh's Informatics Forum in the blurred background.

University of Edinburgh's Informatics Forum.

Bluebells and tree in a park; University of Edinburgh's Informatics Forum in the background.

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

A reminder that tonight marks the first lecture in this year’s Gifford Lectures series, 'The Conversions of Christianity' with Prof Paula Fredriksen. It runs from 5pm–7pm (BST). If you can’t make it to Edinburgh in person, do join us online! 🔗 cahss.ed.ac.uk/20252026-pro...

QR Code. Background image: Mosaic of the Judgment of Paris, 115 - 150 CE, from Antioch on the Orontes (Antakya, Turkey), Louvre Museum

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

📢 The Gifford Lectures are just around the corner! Prof Paula Fredriksen will begin with an exploration of how ancient Mediterranean societies understood gods, humans, & the cosmos. This opening lecture sets the stage for a fascinating series on the origins & evolution of early Christianity.

‘Gods and humans were conceived as forming family groups ... peoples were linked by tradition and history to the gods that they worshipped. The people group - what we call “ethnicity” - was another expression of cultic identity, a people’s worship of their own particular gods.’ Professor Paula Fredriksen, Ancient Christianities (p. xiv).

Background image: Mosaic of the Judgment of Paris, 115 - 150 CE, from Antioch on the Orontes (Antakya, Turkey), Louvre Museum

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

📅&🕰️ for the Gifford Lectures: • Mon 4 May, 5–8pm — A World Full of Gods • Tue 5 May, 5–7pm — Israel Abroad: Jews among the Gods • Thu 7 May, 5–7pm — From Jesus to Christ

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒄 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝑱𝒖𝒅𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒎 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒆? More info in the 🧵below 1/6

lyer: THE GIFFORD LECTURES / THE CONVERSIONS OF CHRISTIANITY / WITH PROF. PAULA FREDRIKSEN / QR Code

Background of image is the 3rd C. 'Christus-Sol' mosaic from tomb of the Julii in the Vatican.

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Morning all, Happy Easter to everyone who is celebrating, and may you all have a restful bank holiday. Our Spring edition on the theme of mental health is in advanced preparation. More soon. Thanks for following and for sharing.

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Good morning everyone, We are delighted to announce our call for contributions to the Autumn 2026 edition. Our themes are Migration, Displacement, and Belonging. More details and guidance on submissions here: ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI... Thank you for following and for sharing.

ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk

Call for Contributions: Autumn 2026 issue on migration, displacement, and belonging | Theology in Scotland

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

As always, the best place to start with an issue - this one on Suffering and Evil - is with the editorial, which can be accessed right here: ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TI... That will help you navigate the edition. Have a great weekend. Thanks for following and for sharing.

ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk

Editorial: Suffering and Evil | Theology in Scotland

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Afternoon all, In the week we issued our latest edition, we would like to thank our outgoing editor @linatoth.bsky.social for choosing the theme and for her time during the handover to our new editor @drkatiecross.bsky.social. Congratulations to you both for seeing this edition come to fruition.

ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk

Theology in Scotland

Theology in Scotland is a journal of theology which is general in scope, but which is rooted in the Scottish theological tradition.

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Evening all, We are delighted to share our new issue - on Evil and Suffering. It's a bumper edition of articles and reviews. We will be going to press shortly and, as always, our digital version is open access: ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TIS Thanks for following and for sharing. More soon.

ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk

Theology in Scotland

Theology in Scotland is a journal of theology which is general in scope, but which is rooted in the Scottish theological tradition.

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Theology in Scotland @theoscot.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Afternoon all, A new social media landscape for us! We are in the advanced stages of preparing our Autumn edition under the leadership of our new editor - @drkatiecross.bsky.social. Watch this space. In the meantime you may be interested in the Books and Belief festival - @edinburghuni.bsky.social.

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