Gifford Lectures

Christopher R. Brewer (1980-2025) was Principal Advisor at Templeton Religion Trust and Editor-in-Chief of giffordlectures.org. Dr Brewer earned his Ph.D. in Divinity from the University of St Andrews with a thesis on natural theology and the arts. He is author of Understanding Natural Theology (Zondervan Academic 2026) and editor or co-editor of seven volumes, including Christian Theology and the Transformation of Natural Religion: From Incarnation to Sacramentality—Essays in Honour of David Brown.

• Notes on ContributorsForewordGarrick V. AllenEditor’s IntroductionChristopher R. BrewerPART I. The Giffords and their Historical ContextPromoting the Study of Natural Theology: Scotland, Philosophy and the Gifford LecturesJohn HaldaneThe Religious and Cultural Context of Lord Gifford’s EndowmentStewart J. Brown‘That we may hear the living voice’: the Gifford Lectures as Lectures, 1888–1914Martin HewittThe Giffords as Public LecturesDavid FergussonTumultuous Beginnings: The Gifford Lectures at the University of GlasgowR. Scott SpurlockPART II. The Intellectual Impact of the GiffordsExpansive Naturalism and the Limits of Natural TheologyFiona EllisNurtured Natural TheologyAndrew TorranceThe Prospect of Natural Theology as Basis and Crown of Revealed Theology: Reflections on Five Series of Gifford LecturesMark W. ElliottThe Gifford Lectures and the Grammar of Science and ReligionJoanna LeidenhagLord Gifford’s Lectures and the Critique of Religion – The Case of Arend Theodoor van LeeuwenPhilip G. ZieglerSelf-transcendence: From Atheist Philosophy to Natural TheologyKing-Ho LeungWorks Cited

From idealism to postmodernism, the Gifford lectures have reflected and shaped the public understanding of religion for over a century. This first-class collection throws new light on these sometimes rowdy and sometimes hotly debated lectures that have been a jewel in the crown of Scottish intellectual life.