| Administrative History | Born in Dundee on 21 July 1896, James Stuart Stewart is considered to be one of the most outstanding modern Scottish preachers. His interest in church work began at an early age, encouraged by his father, who was secretary of the Young Men's Christian Assocoation in Dundee and leader of an influential local Bible class; and inspired by James Denney whom he heard preach as a child. He graduated from St Andrews University in 1917 and after war service, continued his studies at New College, Edinburgh, 1918 - 1921, and the University of Bonn, 1921 - 1922, where he was Cunningham Fellow. He was ordained to the United Free Church and subsequently served as minister of St Andrew's United Free Church, Auchterarder, 1924 - 1928; Aberdeen Beechgrove United Free Church (later Church of Scotland), 1928 - 1935; and North Morningside, Edinburgh, 1935 - 1946. In 1947 he was appointed Professor of New Testament, Language, Literature and Theology at Edinburgh University, where he remained until his retirement in 1966. He served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, 1963-1964.
His many publications include the Bible class handbook, 'Life and Teachings of Christ' (London, 1933, 1957; Edinburgh, 1977); and he collaborated with H. R. Mackintosh in the translation of Schleiermacher's 'The Christian Faith' (Edinburgh, 1928). Published sermons include 'The Gates of New Life' (Edinburgh, 1937); 'The Strong Name' (Edinburgh, 1940); 'The Wind of the Spirit' (London, 1968); 'River of Life' (London, 1972); and 'King for Ever' (London 1974). Lectures given whilst Lyman Beecher Lecturer at Yale ('A Faith to Proclaim' , 1953), and Duff Missionary Lecturer ('Thine is the Kingdom ', 1956) have also been published. Details of other visiting lectureships, and a fuller list of his publications is contained in 'Dictionary of Scottish Church History & Theology' , ed. Nigel M. de S. Cameron (Edinburgh: Clark, 1993), pp 795 - 796.
Myles Krueger successfully submitted a Ph D thesis on the preaching of James S. Stewart to the University of Aberdeen in 1996: 'The role of the imagination in Christian communication: a case study of the work of James S. Stewart as a Christian communicator.' A copy is deposited in the University Library. |
| Custodial History | This collection was assembled by Dr Myles Krueger in the course of research for his doctoral thesis at Aberdeen University on the preaching of James S. Stewart. It was subsequently deposited in the University by Professor Alan Main, of Christ's College, Aberdeen in Sept 1996. |