Gifford Lectures 2020-21

Historians of Christianity, even when innovative in theory and method, have mostly written within national, denominational, or institutional frameworks.  Yet many of the most important changes and developments within Christianity have been transnational in scope, trans-denominational in character, and not easily contained within institutional or hierarchical structures.  What difference would it make to reimagine the history of Christianity in terms of transnational networks, nodal junction boxes of encounter and transmission, and a greater sense of the core memes and messages of religious traditions and expressions?  That is the principal question to be explored in the following set of lectures.

Dates: 4-14 October, 5.30-6.30pm

The lectures may be followed by questions. Latest finishing time is 7pm.

Venue: The Playfair Library, Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL

This event is open to all but tickets need to be booked in advance. Tickets for individual lectures can be booked here:

At this year's Seminar, Gifford lecturer Professor Hempton will join leading academics to discuss questions from the audience arising from his Gifford Lecture Series, “Networks, Nodes, and Nuclei in the History of Christianity, c. 1500-2020".

The Seminar will be held online. If you would like to attend please email mark.newman@ed.ac.uk to request the link.

Date: 13 October, 1-2pm

Venue: Microsoft Teams

Panel: Professor Hempton will be joined by Susan Hardman-Moore, Professor of Early Modern Religion, and Professor Brian Stanley,  Professor in World Christianity, both of New College

Chairperson: Professor Stewart Brown

Further information about this event is available on the University of Edinburgh Website: