Staff profile

I studied law at Bristol University and went on to practise law as a solicitor. I later studied theology at Glasgow University. My doctorate in theology is from Cambridge University and was under the supervision of Professor Morna D. Hooker.

My basic specialism is New Testament biblical studies, and Paul in particular. In recent years, I have developed an interest in ethics and in the nature of spirituality. I am interested in reading the New Testament in an interdisciplinary way, both learning from and seeking to contribute to other disciplines.

My doctorate (published in 1997) explored what the writers of the New Testament mean by 'ambassadors' and 'reconciliation', and to help do this I looked at Graeco-Roman literary and epigraphic records.

Later on, I wrote about canon law and about spirituality in the twenty-first century in the context of secular institutions, such as the NHS. I have also attempted to read and interpret the New Testament drawing on models from psychological theory.

In recent years, I have been engaged in research on what is meant by remorse, forgiveness, and reconciliation. This has involved a rigorous exploration of biblical texts in the light of political science, legal theory, anthropolgy, philosophy, studies on the nature of emotions, and psychological theory. I have written about the theology of forgiveness, the spirituality of forgiveness, and forgiveness as a Christian ethic. I have also written an interdisciplinary book on remorse, showing its importance in the context of repentance, regret, forgiveness, and reconciliaiiton. 

I teach a masters module entitled 'Forgiveness in Pastoral Ministry Today', and I formerly taught undergraduate courses on the New Testament at the University. I also taught a module for the Durham Global Security Institute (DGSi) entitled 'Religion, Culture, and Conflict' and formerly taught Business Law for Durham Business School.

 

Authored book

• Bash, A. (2020). Remorse: A Christian Perspective. Cascade Books
• Bash, A. (2015). Forgiveness: A Theology. Cascade Books
• Bash, A., & Bash, M. (2012). Inside the Christmas Story. Reflections for Advent. Bloomsbury
• Bash, A. (2011). Just Forgiveness: Exploring the Bible, Weighing the Issues. SPCK
• Bash, A. (2007). Forgiveness and Christian Ethics. Cambridge University Press
• Bash, A. (1997). Ambassadors for Christ: An Exploration of Ambassadorial Communication in the New Testament. Mohr Siebeck

Book review

• Bash, A. (in press). Feeling Sorry the Wrong Way

Chapter in book

• Bash, A. (in press). Forgiveness in the Christian Scriptures. Sinai, Golgotha, and Beyond. In D. J. Shepherd, & R. S. Briggs (Eds.), Remember Their Sin No More? Forgiveness and the Hebrew Bible (112-126). Pickwick: Eugene, OR
• Bash, A. (2023). A Journey of a Misfit. In M. Percy, & C. Foster (Eds.), Faiths Lost and Found: Understanding Apostasy (85-98). London: Dartman, Longman, and Todd
• Poole, E., & Bash, A. (2022). Leadersmithing, Mistakes and Remorse. In M. Witzel (Ed.), Post-Pandemic Leadership: Exploring Solutions to a Crisis (102-111). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003171737-12
• Bash, A. (2021). ...As We Forgive Those Who Sin Against Us. In J. S. Pagano, & A. E. Richter (Eds.), Saving Words (67-77). Cascade Books
• Bash, A. (2019). Forgiveness and Christianity. In S. Hance (Ed.), Forgiveness in Practice (24-36). Jessica Kingsley Publishers
• Bash, A., & Bash, M. (2004). Early Christian Thinking. In F. Watts, & L. Gulliford (Eds.), Forgiveness in Context: Theology and Psychology in Creative Dialogue. T&T Clark
• Bash, A. (2004). A Psychodynamic Approach to II Corinthians. In J. Ellens, & W. Rollins (Eds.), Psychology and the Bible (149-63). Praeger

Edited book

• Bash, A. (Ed.). (2012). Thomas Hatfield: Bishop, Soldier, and Politician. Toronto, Canada: Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies and Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Durham University

Journal Article

• Bash, A. (2023). Forgiveness: An Alternative Account by Matthew IchihashiPotts (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2022), xi + 268 pp. Modern Theology, https://doi.org/10.1111/moth.12867
• Bash, A. (2022). Remorse, Emotions, and Moral Transformation. Theology and ministry, 8, 34-43
• Bash, A. (2020). THE SPIRITUALITY OF FORGIVENESS: THEOLOGICAL, PHILOSOPHICAL AND LINGUISTIC REFLECTIONS. Modern Believing, 61(3), 229-238. https://doi.org/10.3828/mb.2020.14
• Bash, A. (2016). Difficult Texts: Luke 23.34 and Acts 7.60: Forgiving the Unrepentant?. Theology, 119(4), 276-278. https://doi.org/10.1177/0040571x16640229
• Bash, A. (2014). Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Spirituality: A Theological Perspective. Journal for the Study of Spirituality, 4(1), 58-72. https://doi.org/10.1179/2044024314
• Bash, A. (2013). Did Jesus Discover Forgiveness?. Journal of Religious Ethics, 41(3), 382-399
• Bash, A. (2011). Forgiveness: A Re-appraisal. Studies in Christian Ethics, 24(2), 133-146
• Bash, A. (2005). The New Testament: Mosaic Law and Ecclesiastical Law. Ecclesiastical Law Journal, 8, 60-6
• Bash, A. (2005). Humpty Dumpty in the Emperor's New Clothes?. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 14, 60-6
• Bash, A. (2004). Temptation, Today's Lawyers and the Ten Commandments. Ecclesiastical Law Journal, 7, 328-33
• Bash, A. (2004). Spirituality: The Emperor's New Clothes?. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 13, 11-16
• Bash, A. (2001). A Psychodynamic Approach to the Interpretation of 2 Corinthians 10-13. Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 51-67
• Bash, A. (1999). Deacons and Diaconal Ministry. Theology, 36-41
• Bash, A. (1998). Ecclesiastical Law and the Law of God in Scripture. Ecclesiastical Law Journal, 5, 7-13

Other (Print)

• Bash, A. (2020). The Freedom Imperative