Dr Edward D Herbert

TED Herbert, who has died of cancer aged 50, was a prime mover in the founding of the

Vice-principal, International Christian College, Glasgow; Born July 1, 1958; Died September 29, 2008.

Ted Herbert, who has died of cancer aged 50 was a prime mover in the founding of the International Christian College in Glasgow 10 years ago - a leading theological school situated between Strathclyde and Caledonian universities.

His death came as a shock not only to his college but to many in the academic world in Scotland and beyond. He passed peacefully away at his home in Milngavie after a virulent form of cancer was diagnosed just seven weeks earlier. Oncologists could do nothing to staunch its progress, leaving only the option of palliative nursing to minimise pain and discomfort.

Born in Odell, Bedfordshire, his secondary education was at Bryanston public school. In early life he described himself as a "sceptical agnostic" unimpressed by Christianity. As a student he considered afresh claims for the existence of God and the message of the Bible. His sceptism was dislodged and he embraced evangelical Christianity. He was married and devoted to Diana; and they had two children - Joy and David - all of whom survive him.

He studied at two denominational colleges and gained an honours degree in theology at the University of London. After a period in church administration he engaged in research at the University of Cambridge, for which he was awarded a PhD.

This was for a brilliant piece of work on the Dead Sea Scrolls on which he is acknowledged as an international authority. His thesis was published in the form of a highly academic and now very rare book, A New Method for Reconstructing Biblical Scrolls, and its Application to the Reconstruction of 4QSama (the latter term being a reference to one of the scrolls).

He was to do more research and writing in this area. But essentially he was "an Old Testament man". Nothing gave him more pleasure than bridging the gap between the ancient world of the Hebrews and the complex one of the 21st century. He would delve into the biblical text highlighting principles and teaching which he believed to be timeless in application.

With no compromise of scholarship, he devised a popular and unique course Through the Old Testament in Two Hours! This was offered outwith the college to the churches. He was in demand in many churches of all denominations and could enthrall a congregation and hold their attention for what was possibly the longest sermon they were ever likely to hear (he did allow a break for a cup of tea!).

Audiences were mesmerised as he explored the first part of the Bible, often referred to as the Dark Continent. He was to the Old Testament what David Livingstone was to Africa; he searched, he sifted, he explored - his sheer enthusiasm and encyclopedic knowledge enlivened his delivery and impressed both congregants and students.

His teaching style as well as content was unusual if not unique. In college I could sometimes pick up the emphasis of his declamations in my capacious office - even though my secretary's room is in-between.

I first met him a decade ago when the board sought my views about a prospective new theological college based in Scotland. Subsequently, the members invited me to return to see them again and consider the prospect of heading it up.

I had been so impressed in my first brief encounter that on my second visit I insisted on meeting him before further interview.

I confided to him that I had come primarily not to talk with the board but to ask him two questions. First: did he want to be principal, for I had no wish to compete with him. Secondly: if not, would he stay at least five years and deal with the requirements of the two universities with whom we would be associated, look after the minutiae of time-tabling, the development of a curriculum and assist in finding and appointing a competent staff? Our goals would be academic excellence twinned with an aim to train students practically for the many facets of Christian ministry within and without Scotland. He smiled, rejecting the first option and acceding to the second. He wanted the post of academic dean - the rest of the story is history.

The college he played a major part in founding has become the largest of its kind north of The Wash, offering a variety of degree specialisms for undergraduates, and through Herbert's sheer hard work it can coax its postgraduates to the dizzy heights of the PhD. Our overall programme is validated by the Senate of the prestigious University of Aberdeen who acknowledge Herbert as a highly respected academic.

His devotion to theological education eclipsed everything else. Though a competent financier, qualified accountant and a knowledgeable philatelist, theology was the pursuit of his life. Behind his academic prowess was an experiential faith in God, whom he believed revealed himself strikingly and finally to this world in the person of Jesus Christ. He regarded Jesus Christ as both his Lord and Saviour; his considerable intellectual gifts made him a redoubtable apologist for historic Christianity.

There was more than a touch of CS Lewis about Herbert in his life. Both were Christian apologists and practioners. Realising that his wife Diana and others would go through "a grief observed", he did his utmost to lessen the cause for unnecessary sorrow. Fully aware of his impending death he believed that God could heal him but acknowledged this was an unlikely providence so he prepared his family and friends for his departure.

I am reminded of John Wesley's famous claim for the early Methodists, "our men die well". The famous Welsh preacher Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones argued that the real test of a man's philosophy is witnessed on his death bed. Does it prepare him for that? In this Herbert was amazing and his actions should be shared.

Essentially, he embraced applied as opposed to purely academic theology. To the end of his life he spoke with a simple faith at what lay beyond. Eschewing the "why" question which disturbs so many terminally ill people, he was prepared for the final step. Undue grief was unnecessary. Echoing the Apostle Paul, he reckoned that both extended life on earth and eternal life in heaven were pleasing options. "In effect," he said, "either way I can't lose!"

Twelve days before his death he was wheeled into Bearsden Baptist Church to the astonishment of his local congregation. They had assembled to pray for their sick member who they thought was languishing on his bed at home. From his wheelchair he delivered his final short address of hope and comfort, speaking as much to them as himself. He wanted to repeat this action the following week at ICC. Alas, he was too frail. Instead, he resorted to cyberspace and sent a similar message nuanced to staff and students in a crowded community hall at the International Christian College.

In it he reflected on his good fortune - his background, his "brilliantly happy" marriage, his pride and joy that his adult children had accepted the Christian faith. And he added that to his sheer delight his life had been spent as a lecturer in theology. "Not a bad deal," he ruefully commented. Within a matter of days he was gone.

We have placed his final talk on the way he was facing up to death on our web site. Almost 2000 hits have already been registered on it and YouTube. My prediction is that he will "speak" to even larger numbers in death than he did in life. And that this audience, too, will be as impressed as were his students by a brilliant Christian scholar, a purveyor of applied theology.

A celebration of the life of Dr Ted Herbert will be held at the Barony Hall, Strathclyde University Thursday, October 30 at 2.30 pm