Richard is senior lecturer in Biblical Studies in the School of Theology. He teaches graduate and postgraduate courses in the Old and New Testaments and a postgraduate course Interpersonal Forgiveness in the Bible and the World.

Summary of key research

Richard’s research is in the area of interpersonal forgiveness and human emotion. His research focuses on the biblical text, but draws on a range of other disciplines, particularly moral philosophy and moral psychology.

Most recent publications

• “A Second Temple Context for Jesus’ Teaching on Forgiveness.” Pages 67–86 in The Art of Forgiveness. Edited by Phil Halstead and Myk Habets. Lanham, MD: Fortress Academic, 2018.
• “Nothing Was Made Without Him (John 1:3).” Pages 56–67 in Holding Forth the Word of Life. Essays in Honour of Tim Meadowcroft. Edited by John de Jong and Csilla Saysell. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2020.
• “Verbalising Hate in the Psalms.” Pages 218–237 in Practicing Faith. Theology and Social Vocation in Conversation. Edited by Lisa Spriggens and Tim Meadowcroft. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2022.
• “Navigating the Moral Dilemma of the Flood.” Stimulus: The New Zealand Journal of Christian Thought and Practice 28.2 (2021).
• “A Time to Lament.” in A Holy Church: Becoming the Communities We are Called to Be. The Christchurch Anglican Diocese Lenten Studies for 2023.

Personal Bio

Richard is an ordained Baptist pastor. He is married to Barbara, who is the children and families pastor at St Barnabas Anglican Church in Christchurch. They have five children and nine grandchildren. In his spare time Richard surfs and enjoys making pottery.

Research areas of specialisation and supervision

• The Bible and interpersonal forgiveness.
• The Bible and emotion.
• Virtue ethics, and character formation.

Current Thesis Students

Wilaiwan Samathimankong (Mem), “Jesus as the ‘Son of God’: Comprehending Sonship in John’s Gospel and Its Understanding in Thai Protestantism.” Second Supervisor: AUT University, PhD.

Qualifications & Awards

• PhD (Hebrew Bible), University of Cambridge, 2000.
• Merrill Unger award in Old Testament, 1991.
• ThM (Master of Theology), Dallas Theological Seminary, 1991.
• BA (Bachelor of Arts) in geography and psychology, University of Auckland, 1984.