Hello. Welcome to my professional Website! Let me introduce myself.

I am a theologian and scholar of religion who seeks accuracy of knowledge and clarity of understanding through close analysis, careful comparison, and the application of critical reflection and empathy, in respect of religions and a wide range of religious phenomena and theological issues.

Trained in philosophy (MA) and theology (BD, PhD, DTheol), my academic career followed seven years of parish ministry in the Methodist Church of New Zealand, interrupted by two years’ study in Scotland, then four years as ecumenical chaplain at Waikato (1984-87). Since 1998 I have been an Anglican priest, serving for a period as Canon Theologian for the Diocese of Waikato & Taranaki, New Zealand (since 2003, Canon emeritus) and undertaking ad hoc roles in the Dioceses of Auckland and Europe (Archdeaconry of Switzerland).

In 1988 I was appointed the foundation lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of Waikato, New Zealand. Over the course of the next 24 years I was promoted through the ranks, becoming full professor in 2011, concluding in 2018.

Although formally retired, I continue in academic work as an Honorary Professor in Theological and Religious Studies at the University of Auckland, New Zealand and as an Adjunct Professor (Theology & Interreligious Studies) with the Old Catholic (Swiss: Christkatholische) Theology section of the Faculty of Theology, University of Bern, Switzerland.

I am currently a research Team Leader and Editor on the Christian-Muslim Relations, a bibliographical history project, based in the UK and I am an Associate Researcher with the Centre for the Study of Religion and Politics at the University of St Andrews, Scotland.

I am also presently a Trustee and part-time programme officer for the Religious Diversity Centre of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Research Scholarship

My recent and current research has focussed mainly on four fields of study, namely:

Islam and Christian-Muslim dialogue
Interreligious dialogue, with special reference to Christian engagement
Religious fundamentalism and extremism
Religious diversity and secular society, together with a range of theology and religious studies interests.

Within this website you will find information about these, and other elements, of my past and present scholarly activities. I am always willing to consider invitations to present talks, lectures, seminars, or interactive workshops on any of these topics.