Donald Fairbairn (born August 31, 1963) is a scholar specializing in patristic
soteriology
Soteriology (; el, σωτηρία ' "salvation" from σωτήρ ' "savior, preserver" and λόγος ' "study" or "word") is the study of religious doctrines of salvation. Salvation theory occupies a place of special significance in many religio ...
and
Cyril of Alexandria
Cyril of Alexandria ( grc, Κύριλλος Ἀλεξανδρείας; cop, Ⲡⲁⲡⲁ Ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲗⲗⲟⲩ ⲁ̅ also ⲡⲓ̀ⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ Ⲕⲓⲣⲓⲗⲗⲟⲥ; 376 – 444) was the Patriarch of Alexandria from 412 to 444 ...
who currently teaches at
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Education
Fairbairn graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University with an A.B. in English literature. During his time at Princeton he was awarded the "Class of 1859 Prize" which was awarded to the student in the English department with the highest graduating GPA. He then began an M.Div program at
Erskine Theological Seminary
Erskine Theological Seminary is an institution of graduate theological and pastoral education. The Seminary is based in Due West, South Carolina, United States, and also offers classes at a second degree-granting campus in Columbia, South Carolin ...
in
Due West, South Carolina where he was awarded the Kenneth Fitzhugh Morris Award for excellence in Biblical studies. After two years of study at Erskine he transferred to
Denver Seminary
Denver Seminary is a private, Evangelical Christian seminary with its main campus in Littleton, Colorado, an online global campus, and an extension campus in Washington, DC. It offers Master of Arts (MA), Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Doctor of M ...
where he graduated with honors, having been awarded the Scholarship Award for being the M.Div graduate with the highest GPA. In 1999 Fairbairn was awarded the Ph.D. in
Patristics
Patristics or patrology is the study of the early Christian writers who are designated Church Fathers. The names derive from the combined forms of Latin ''pater'' and Greek ''patḗr'' (father). The period is generally considered to run from ...
from the
University of Cambridge
, mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts.
Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.
, established =
, other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...
, where he completed a dissertation titled''Grace and Christology in Cyril of Alexandria and John Cassian'' under Lionel Wickham.
Teaching career
Despite being nearly completely deaf, Fairbairn has taught at various institutions, including adjunct roles at the Cambridge Summer School of Theology, Denver Seminary, the Greek Biblce Institute, Haddington House, IFES Eurasia, North Caucaus Bible College, the REALIS Institute in
Kyiv
Kyiv, also spelled Kiev, is the capital and most populous city of Ukraine. It is in north-central Ukraine along the Dnieper, Dnieper River. As of 1 January 2021, its population was 2,962,180, making Kyiv the List of European cities by populat ...
and
Union School of Theology
Union School of Theology is a Reformed educational institution in Bryntirion in Bridgend, South Wales. The School is part of the wider Christian ministry of Union which also involves church planting and the production of theological resources.
...
. While still a PhD student at Cambridge he was teaching multiple courses and provided academic leadership at Donetsk Christian University in
Donetsk
Donetsk ( , ; uk, Донецьк, translit=Donets'k ; russian: Донецк ), formerly known as Aleksandrovka, Yuzivka (or Hughesovka), Stalin and Stalino (see also: Names of European cities in different languages (C–D), cities' alternat ...
(
Ukraine
Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian inv ...
), during the institution's formative years, and he continued there as a visiting professor of theology later on. He also teaches part-time as a professor of Historical Theology at Evangelische Theologische Faculteit in
Leuven
Leuven (, ) or Louvain (, , ; german: link=no, Löwen ) is the capital and largest city of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located about east of Brussels. The municipality itself comprises the historic ...
. He is currently the Robert E. Cooley Professor of Early Christianity at
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont region, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County. The population was 874,579 at the 2020 census, making Charlotte the 16th-most populo ...
(where he also serves as the Academic Dean) and previously taught full-time at Erskine Theological Seminary.
Published works
Books
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Journal articles and Chapters
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Notes
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fairbairn, Donald M
1963 births
Living people
Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary faculty
Alumni of the University of Cambridge
American Christian theologians
Princeton University alumni
Denver Seminary alumni
American Christian writers
American historians of religion
Deaf religious workers
American deaf people