Featured Author: John M. G. Barclay

John M. G. Barclay completed undergraduate studies in Classics and Theology at Queens’ College, Cambridge before earning his PhD on Galatians there. Between 1984 and 2003, he served Glasgow University as Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and finally Professor. Since 2003, he has been at Durham as Lightfoot Professor of Divinity. In his early work, Barclay explored the social history of early Christianity and researched and published on Jews in the Mediterranean Diaspora. In his later research, he focused on translation and commentary on Josephus's defense of Judaism, resulting in Against Apion.

Barclay’s first book with Eerdmans was Paul and the Gift, a study of Pauline theology from the perspective of his theology of grace. “If we read Paul's theology of grace in the light of ancient notions of gift,” says Barclay, “I believe we can understand in a new way his relationship to Judaism, his theology of the Christ-event and his ethic of reciprocal generosity.” Paul and the Gift received the Book of the Year award from Jesus Creed in 2015. 

His latest book, Paul and the Power of Grace, offers all of the most significant contributions from Paul and the Gift in a package several hundred pages lighter and more accessible. Additionally, Barclay adds further analysis of the theme of gift and grace in Paul’s other letters and explores contemporary implications for this new view of grace.

Barclay’s other book with Eerdmans, Pauline Churches and Diaspora Jews, was published in 2016 and consists of 19 essays Barclay uses to examine points of comparison between the early churches and the Diaspora synagogues in the urban Roman world of the first century.

Additionally, Barclay servers as the current President of TRS-UK, the body that represents and co-ordinates all the Departments of Theology and Religion/Religious Studies in the UK, together with twelve subject associations. When not in his study, Barclay enjoys his family, cycling, music, and watching rugby.