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6 NEWSChief News Editors: Katherine Faulkner, Katy Lee and Camilla Templenews@varsity.co.ukFriday November 2 2007varsity.co.uk/newsObituaryThe Rev Professor Charles Moule» Life fellow of Clare whose original work on the New Testament sparked vigorous debateGraham StantonEmeritus Lady Margaret Professorof DivinityWho has had the most influence onyour life, family excepted? For me,the answer is easy: the Rev ProfessorCFD Moule who died on 30September, just a couple of monthsshort of his 99th birthday.In 1964 I had to find someone tosupervise my PhD thesis, as furtherstudies in my field were notthen possible in New Zealand. Isought the advice of the only NewZealander I knew in Cambridge.He confirmed that ProfessorCharlie Moule was an outstandingscholar: a gentle, kind and genuinelyhumble person who was heldin the highest regard by everyonewho knew him. I soon began to passon similar comments to others whowanted to know what it was like towork under Charlie Moule’s guidance.He encouraged us to developour immature and not very wellinformed insights. His PhD studentsregularly came away fromsupervisions warmly encouraged.Throughout our careers he took akindly interest in our research andteaching. When we sent him a copyof our books or articles, he alwaysread them carefully and sent backcomments and suggestions.In 1951 he was appointed to theLady Margaret’s Professorship ofDivinity. At that time he hadn’tcompleted a single book. The electorsgambled on promise, and theirjudgement was soon vindicated bythe appearance of An Idiom-Bookof New Testament Greek, in whichhe explored the distinctive featuresof the Greek of the New Testamentwriters. This remarkable book is stillin print 55 years later.Charlie Moule became Deanof Clare College and a Universityassistant lecturer in 1944. Hesometimes spoke about the austerityof the early post-war years,quickly adding that life in Collegewas “disgracefully luxurious” incomparison with hardships facedby others. As soon as the ClareFellows’ Garden was restored hewalked there very early everymorning and said his prayers. Heplayed a major role in the translationof the New English Bible.Professor Moule was a Fellow ofClare for 32 years, and then a LifeFellow. He took a keen interest inall aspects of College life. Even inhis 90s he sometimes commented onGoverning Body minutes and gentlypointed out stylistic infelicities. Hewelcomed Clare students to weeklyevening discussions and on that basisfirm friendships were built whichlasted for many decades.Charlie Moule is known and respectedfor two themes that emergedRev Professor Charles Moulefrom his concern with the precise exegesisand interpretation of the NewTestament writings. He insisted thatthe New Testament does not seejudgement and punishment as retribution,but as restoration. His viewssparked off lively discussion in a widerange of groups concerned with criminaljustice. Forgiveness and Reconciliation,the title of his final book,published on his 90th birthday, sumsup this concern. In contrast to someof the fashions of the day, he insistedthat the Gospels provide us withsharply drawn portraits of Jesus ofNazareth which are at the very heartof Christian faith. While ‘history’ cannotcompel faith, it is the solid foundationon which faith rests.Many honours were showereddown on this self-effacing scholar. AFBA in 1966, he became Presidentof the International Society of NewTestament scholars in 1967-68. Hereceived honorary D.D.s from StAndrews and Cambridge, and wasmade CBE in 1985.He was equally at home with thegreat and the good as with Collegestaff and folk in the village nearEastbourne to which he retired.He preached regularly in his parishchurch until well into his 90s. He retainedhis puckish sense of humoureven when weighed down by physicalweakness and frustrating deafness.In his 95th year I offered tomow his lawns. He declined my offer,insisting that he was deeply attachedto his “Tony Blair motorisedzimmer frame”.Charlie Moule did not write theblockbusters which seem to dominatehis field today. Perhaps hispersonal legacy of genuine humilityand courtesy will outlast even hisfinest publications. Generations ofscholars and students have cause tobe thankful for what may turn outto be his finest achievement: thethousands of letters of encouragementin his distinctive hand he sentall over the world.A memorial service will be held inGreat St Mary’s University Churchon Saturday February 9 at 2pm.New Editor?Applications are now open forpositions on the Varsity editorialteam for Lent Term 2008Could you take control?Info and applications formsfrom business@varsity.co.ukTheIndependent Cambridge Student Newspaper since 1947Application deadline:November 16th, 5pm