Archbishop's Examination in Theology presentation at Lambeth Palace
Monday 6th June 2011
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has today awarded the Lambeth Diploma of Student in Theology to the Revd Alan Pierce and the Lambeth MA in Theology to the Revd Tim Buckley and the Revd Simon Jones.The Lambeth Diploma of Student in Theology
The Lambeth Diploma was established by Archbishop Randall Davidson in 1905 with the intention of encouraging women to study theology. It was opened to men in 1943. Students could qualify for the diploma either by examination or thesis and this year's successful candidate has achieved his by thesis.
The Revd Alan Pierce
Title of thesis: A study of the theology of women in the fourth gospel
Alan trained with the Northern Ordination Course and was ordained in the Anglican Church in 1992. He is currently a Non Stipendiary Minister with the Leverhulme Team Ministry in Bolton.
The Lambeth MA in Theology
In 1990 Archbishop Ronald Runcie inaugurated the Lambeth MA in Theology by thesis in order to provide the opportunity for theological study at a more advanced level. A limited number of candidates could register, either having a good honours degree in Theology or achieving the Lambeth Diploma with distinction.
The Revd Tim Buckley
Title of thesis: Towards a unified theory of Zephaniah: a historical and linguistic investigation
Tim trained at Wycliffe Hall and was ordained in 1999. He is currently Priest in Charge at St Michael and St Barnabas, Devonport.
The Revd Simon Jones
Title of thesis: 'The Church in your workshop': the economic, physical and social location of the early Pauline communities
Simon is a Baptist minister and trained at London Bible College and Spurgeon's College in the late 1980s. He is currently minister of Bromley Baptist Church.
Left to right: Stephen Borton (Faculty Office), Peter Beesley (Faculty Office), Revd Canon Dr Maureen Palmer (AET Academic Registrar), Revd Alan Pierce (Diploma recipient), Archbishop of Canterbury, Revd Tim Buckley (MA recipient), Revd Simon Jones (MA recipient), Revd Dr Martin Kitchen (Director, AET).
Since 2007, the Lambeth Diploma and Lambeth MA are no longer offered by the Archbishop's Examination in Theology (AET) because of the launch of MPhil/PhD research degrees. The research degrees programme has been developed with Quality Assuarance Agency requirements and general university standards in mind.
The Archbishop of Canterbury enjoys the right to grant these degrees by an Act of Parliament in 1533. This act gave Archbishop Cranmer the right to grant dispensations previously granted by the Pope.