James Atkinson (theologian)

James Atkinson (27 April 1914 – 30 July 2011) was a Church of England priest and academic 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.^[1][2][3][4]

Early life

Atkinson was born on 27 April 1914 in Tynemouth, Northumberland.^[2] He was the eldest of three sons born to Nicholas Ridley Atkinson, a civil engineer with the Tynemouth Improvement Commission, and his wife Margaret.^[1][4] He was educated at Tynemouth High School.^[3] He then went to St John's College, Durham where he studied theology. He became Captain of Boats, IE the captain of the college's boat club.^[2]

One of his brothers was Sir Robert Atkinson (1916–2015), a decorated Royal Navy officer and businessman. The other brother died during World War II, in March 1943, when the merchant ship on which he was serving was torpedoed and sank.^[5]

Religious life

Atkinson was ordained a deacon in the Church of England in 1937 and a priest in 1938.^[2][3] He was a curate at Holy Cross Church, Fenham, Newcastle, from 1937 to 1941.^[2] He continued his studies at the University of Durham and completed a Master of Arts (MA) degree in 1939.^[4] In 1941, he joined the clergy of Sheffield Cathedral. He was succentor for one year, before serving as precentor from 1942 to 1944.^[6]

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. Harmondsworth: Pelican. 
• Atkinson, James (1968). The Great Light. Exeter: Paternoster. 
• Atkinson, James, ed. (1987). Daily readings with Martin Luther. Springfield, Ill.: Templegate Publishers. ISBN 0872431576. 

References