Special Minute Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Larry W. Hurtado, BA, MA, PhD, FRSE Larry Hurtado joined the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Divinity as Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> New Testament Language, Literature and <strong>The</strong>ology in August 1996 and he formally retired from his Chair in September 2011. A native <strong>of</strong> the American Midwest, Larry earned his BA in Biblical Studies from the Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, in 1965, and his MA in New Testament from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois, in 1967. He proceeded to doctoral work in New Testament and Christian Origins at Case Western Reserve <strong>University</strong> in Cleveland, Ohio, where he received his PhD in 1973. Larry taught at Regent College, Vancouver, Canada, from 1975 to 1978 and at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Manitoba, Canada, from 1978 to 1996. At Manitoba, he served as acting Head <strong>of</strong> the Department <strong>of</strong> Religion, 198384 and 199192, and he was the founder and first director <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Manitoba Institute for the Humanities. On joining the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Edinburgh</strong> in 1996, Larry immediately made his presence felt. He founded the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Edinburgh</strong> Centre for the Study <strong>of</strong> Christian Origins in 1997, and served as its Director until his retirement. Under his leadership, the Centre has promoted research at the interface <strong>of</strong> New Testament studies and early Church history. In his teaching in New Testament, he brought fresh approaches and new directions. His teaching has been characterised by a pr<strong>of</strong>ound learning in languages, theology and history, combined with a relaxed manner, an avoidance <strong>of</strong> academic jargon, a warm sense <strong>of</strong> humour, and what can only be described as direct, ‘down home’ language. He has supervised exceptionally large numbers <strong>of</strong> PhD students over the years, many <strong>of</strong> whom are developing distinguished academic careers. He has also demonstrated exceptional gifts as an academic leader. He served very effectively as ViceDean <strong>of</strong> the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Divinity in 200120<strong>02</strong>, Deputy Head <strong>of</strong> the School <strong>of</strong> Divinity, 20<strong>02</strong>2003, Director <strong>of</strong> Postgraduate Studies in the School <strong>of</strong> Divinity, 2006 2007, and Head <strong>of</strong> the School <strong>of</strong> Divinity, 20072010. As Head <strong>of</strong> School, he oversaw a number <strong>of</strong> initiatives, including new efforts and achievements in fundraising, new links with China, and the redevelopment <strong>of</strong> the New College Garden. Above all, he helped to maintain confidence amidst a global economic crisis. Many in the larger <strong>University</strong> will recall his regular contributions to discussions and debates at <strong>University</strong> Senatus. Cogent, frequently critical, but always wellmannered and collegial, these contributions did much to preserve the influence and authority <strong>of</strong> the Senatus within <strong>University</strong> governance. He also served the <strong>University</strong> on numerous committees and working parties. He has made a significant international impact through his research activities. He is the author <strong>of</strong> nine solelyauthored books, another five edited books, and nearly ninety substantial learned journal articles and contributed book chapters. Among his major works are his lengthy Lord Jesus Christ: Devotion to Jesus in Earliest Christianity (2003) and his God in New Testament <strong>The</strong>ology, which appeared in 2010. His books have been translated into a number <strong>of</strong> languages, and he has been invited to lecture widely around the world, including, most recently, a number <strong>of</strong> lecturing visits to China. He has served on editorial boards, selection panels, and governing committees <strong>of</strong> learned societies. One <strong>of</strong> Larry’s particular strengths as a scholar has been his openness to new technologies. Not long ago, he established a personal blog, on which he can expound on his ideas and muse about his discipline. In his first year, his blog received a staggering 160,000 hits, meaning that over 400 people a day read his latest thoughts. He was elected a Fellow <strong>of</strong> the Royal Society <strong>of</strong> <strong>Edinburgh</strong> in 2008.
Larry will continue his research and writing, and will continue to lecture widely. We do not expect him to slow down much in his retirement, but we do hope that he and his wife, Shannon, will have more time to do the things they enjoy together, and we wish them all happiness.
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