Honorary Doctorates for 2016

October 07, 2015

Each year, Westminster Theological Seminary awards honorary doctorates to those who have made exceptional contributions in their fields of ministry and academics.

The honorary doctorate recipients for 2016 will be Archbishop Dr. Glenn Davies and Dr. James W. Skillen. 

Archbishop Glenn N. Davies (Westminster Theological Seminary, MDiv/ThM ‘79), started as a schoolteacher prior to his theological studies at Westminster Theological Seminary and Moore Theological College. He was ordained in 1981 and began his ministry at St Stephen’s in Willoughby, Sydney, and later lectured at Moore College in Old and New Testament studies. He received his PhD from Sheffield University and became rector of St Luke’s, Miranda. He is the recipient of the Centenary Medal awarded by the Australian Government. In 2001 he was consecrated as bishop, and in 2013 was elected as Archbishop of Sydney. Dr. Davies is the author of Faith and Obedience in Romans, as well as numerous journal articles and essays.

Dr. James W. Skillen (Westminster Theological Seminary, BD ‘69), began his studies at Wheaton College (BA, ‘66) and Westminster Theological Seminary. After further graduate study at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, he then completed his PhD in political science at Duke University in 1974. He is the recipient of the Abraham Kuyper Prize for excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Life from Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Skillen has extensive speaking and teaching experience around the world, including as professor of political science for multiple universities. He served as the president of the Center for Public Justice for nearly 30 years. He is the author of The Good of Politics: A Biblical, Historical, and Contemporary Introduction, as well as numerous more books and articles in the field of political science, social reform, education, theological studies, and more. Read a recent post entitled, "Norms Not Forms for Understanding Christian Obligations."

Awards will be presented by President Peter Lillback at the 87th Commencement service on May 26, 2016.