Emeritus Professor Max Turner passed away on Saturday 15 August and a Service of Thanksgiving for his life and ministry was held on 3 September at St Andrew’s Church, Chorleywood.
Martin Maximillian Barnaby Turner, known simply as Max Turner, was born in Stirling, Scotland, moved around the UK as a child, and lived in Cyprus for several years before moving back to the UK. He attended the University of Cambridge to study medicine. However, he had a dramatic conversion experience during a university mission led by the evangelist David Watson. Subsequently, he changed his studies to theology, at which he excelled. This, in turn, led him to study for a PhD degree on the topic of Spirit reception texts in Luke-Acts, also at the University of Cambridge. He was awarded his degree in 1980.
Max came to London Bible College – later renamed London School of Theology (LST) – in 1974 as the librarian, subsequently becoming a lecturer in New Testament studies. After several years lecturing, and following a suggestion of the Principal, Michael Griffiths, Max decided to acquire university teaching experience. He agreed a five-year secondment with the University of Aberdeen, where he worked alongside I. Howard Marshall in New Testament studies (1986–1991). This was an important opportunity for Max and established his reputation as a New Testament scholar of the highest calibre.
