At the closing ceremony of the Free Church College on Friday 13th May, a new book of writings in honour of Professor Donald Macleod was unveiled.

The People’s Theologian is a collection of essays by a wide variety of writers honouring the retirement of Professor Macleod as Professor of Systematic Theology at the Free Church College, Edinburgh, a post he has occupied since 1978.

The book was unveiled by Rev Dr Iain D Campbell, who had co-edited the book along with Rev Dr Malcolm Maclean. In introducing the festschrift, Dr Campbell spoke of Professor Macleod’s international reputation as a theologian of note, who had not only taught his students the importance of theology, but who had made significant contributions through his writings and articles to theological discussion and debate.

The book contains a biographical piece on Donald Macleod by his son, award-winning journalist John Macleod. It also contains a list of Prof Macleod’s writings as well as assessments of his work as editor of the Free Church magazine, The Monthly Record, and as a columnist in the West Highland Free Church. An international group of scholars, from the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia has contributed a collection of essays on historical theology, systematic theology and the relationship between theology and the church.

Representing the publishers, William Mackenzie of Christian Focus Publications was also present on the occasion to present Professor Macleod with a newly published Japanese version of his book, Priorities for the Church.

Professor Macleod is to continue lecturing in systematic theology for the forthcoming academic session at the Free Church College. Four students completed their courses at the College this year.

Iain Campbell is a native of the Isle of Lewis in northwest Scotland where he serves as pastor of the Free Church of Scotland congregation in Point. He also serves as Adjunct Professor of Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary. This article first appeared on his blog, Creideamh ((pronounced ‘kray-jif’), Gaelic for ‘Faith’, and is used with his permission. http://creideamh.blogspot.com/