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Douglas Farrow

Academic title(s): 

Professor of Theology and Ethics

Douglas Farrow
Contact Information
Address: 

3520 University Street, Room 208
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 2A7, Canada

Phone: 
514-398-8945
Fax number: 
514-398-6665
Email address: 
douglas.farrow [at] mcgill.ca
Degree(s): 

B.R.E., M.Div., Th.M., Ph.D. (King's College London)

Curriculum vitae: 
PDF icon farrow_cv_2020_public.pdf
Specialization: 

Historical and Systematic Theology; Theological Anthropology and Ethics; Political Theology

Biography: 

Professor Farrow is a Canadian citizen, married with five children.  Before coming to McGill in 1998, he taught in the U.K. at King's College London, after completing his doctorate there under Colin Gunton. At McGill, alongside his lecturing and graduate supervision, he has served on the university's Academic Policy Committee, as on numerous Faculty or School committees, and engaged in the work of the Newman Institute. He pursues a broad range of interdisciplinary interests, anchored in theology, with colleagues here and elsewhere in North America or Europe. SS Paul, Irenaeus, Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, and John Paul II provide much of the inspiration for these labours, which have a dual focus on classical theological loci and modern problems in the Church or in civil and state institutions, including the university.  

Awards, honours, and fellowships: 

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

2019 Cardinal Wright Award

Courses: 
  • RELG 334 Theology of History 3 Credits
      Offered in the:
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Summer

Treats selected cultural and countercultural features of Christianity, with attention to theological and literary texts.

  • RELG 434 Advanced Theology 3 Credits
      Offered in the:
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Summer

Examines in more depth methodological issues as well as particular themes in theology, christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology, through readings in major theologians.

  • RELG 470 Theological Ethics 3 Credits
      Offered in the:
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Summer

Examines ancient and modern sources of Christian moral thought against a backdrop of contemporary alternatives.

  • RELG 630 Theological Foundations 3 Credits
      Offered in the:
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Summer

Graduate seminar (topic varies)

Current research: 

ethics: autonomy and heteronomy

ecclesiology: Petrine office

Selected publications: 

Ascension and Ecclesia: On the significance of the doctrine of the ascension for ecclesiology and Christian cosmology (T & T Clark 1999)

Recognizing Religion in a Secular Society: Essays in Pluralism, Religion and Public Policy (McGill-Queen’s 2004)

Nation of Bastards: Essays on the End of Marriage (BPS Books 2007)

Ascension Theology (T & T Clark 2011)

Desiring a Better Country: Forays in Political Theology (McGill-Queen's 2015)

Theological Negotiations: Proposals in Soteriology and Anthropology (Baker Academic 2018)

1 & 2 Thessalonians: Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible (Brazos 2020)

See curriculum vitae for a full listing of books and articles. Some of the latter are available on Academia.edu.

Graduate supervision: 

Theology (Patristic, Mediaeval and Modern), Theological Ethics, Political Theology

Projects: 

Pluralism, Religion and Public Policy

The Fortnightly Philosophy and Theology Seminar

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