Dunn, James, 1939-2020

James (‘Jimmy’) Dunn was a scholar of the New Testament and early Christianity, who through his ground-breaking publications and personal influence led the international re-evaluation of Paul’s relation to Judaism (the ‘new perspective on Paul’) and challenged scholars to rethink the development of early Christology and the role of oral tradition in the transmission of Jesus-traditions. His comprehensive grasp of the field also enabled him to chart the unity and diversity of early Christianity through the first four generations. He wrote fifty books over the course of his career, some designed for scholars, others for a wider audience in the churches worldwide. His historical enquiries were conducted with theological interests, and often provoked controversy, which he generally relished.

Posted to Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the British Academy, 21