Revd Dr Judith Rossall

I have been a tutor at Queen’s and a member of the Centre for Ministerial Formation since 2013.I studied theology at Durham University and Duke University, North Carolina, before returning to Durham to read for a doctorate under the supervision of first Dr Susan Hardman-Moore and then Prof. Daniel Hardy. The title of my doctorate was ‘God’s Activity and the Believer’s Experience in the Theology of John Calvin.’ This work allowed me to explore both the history of the Reformation as a context for Calvin’s theology and the relationship between theology and spirituality. I have a continuing interest in both of these areas.While completing my doctorate, I candidated for the Methodist Ministry and went on to be a Minister in the Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted Circuit and then the Guildford Circuit. Towards the end of my time at Guildford I wrote a series of dramas for use in worship which was published under the title ‘Living the Story’ by Kevin Mayhew Ltd. I was also able to keep up my interest in theology, occasionally lecturing in theology at Royal Holloway, University of London.In 2003, I became a tutor at the Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme in Salisbury (now the Sarum Ministries Program) where I taught (among other things) Church History, Doctrine and Preaching. Whilst at STETS I was able to re-ignite my interest in historical theology and particularly the way in which understanding the context of a theologian’s work through a close and careful study of history often illuminates their theology. When STETS moved to teaching modules on-line, I set up and managed their Virtual Learning Environment. Towards the end of my time at STETS I became the Vice-Principal for Reflective Practice and led a team which oversaw the student’s work in local churches and on placements.Away from Queen’s I enjoy spending time with friends (which normally involves a remarkable number of coffee shops/ tea rooms and restaurants), walking and gardening.

Qualifications

1984	BA (Hons) in Theology	Durham University
1985	ThM	Duke University, North Carolina
1991	PhD	Durham University

Roles at Queen’s

I teach Church History, Preaching and Spirituality. I am also the co-ordinator for the Circuit Based Learning Pathway which combines study at Queen’s with practical experience for around 20 hours every week based in a local Circuit.

External roles and responsibilities

I am part of the steering group for the Transforming Shame network, which seeks to encourage the church to address issues of shame more fully.
I am a member of the Faith and Order Committee of the Methodist Church and Trustee of my local foodbank.
I preach and lead services for my local Circuit and further afield.

Research interests and supervision areas

My research interests include both church history and historical theology. I have a longstanding interest in issues of sin guilt and shame, particularly in the context of a world which puts so much emphasis on self-esteem and considers sin to be an outmoded concept.

I am interested in supervising doctoral or MA dissertations on any area of Church history or historical theology, I am particularly interested in all aspects of the sixteenth century Reformations (both Protestant and Catholic) and early evangelical and Methodist history.

Publications

Living the Story (Kevin Mayhew, 2003)
Article on Calvin in The Bloomsbury Guide to Christian Spirituality (Bloomsbury, 2012)
‘The Cost of Supporting Luther: The Role of Johann Staupitz in the Early Reformation’, Lutheran Forum, 53.4 (2019), 16–22
Forbidden Fruit and Figleaves: Reading the Bible with the Shamed (SCM, 2020)
‘“Obscure and Senseless”? – Another Look at When Cajetan Met Luther’, Lutheran Forum, 54.4 (2020), 21–27; (available at: https://www.lutheranforum.com/blog/obscure-and-senseless-another-look-at-when-cajetan-met-luther)
‘Whose Honour, Whose Shame?’, Anvil: Journal of Theology and Mission, 37.2 (2021), 25–29. (available at https://churchmissionsociety.org/resources/whose-honour-whose-shame-some-reflections-on-the-bible-anvil-vol-37-issue-2/)

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