Vol. 5 No. 1 (2023): The History and Philosophy of Tense-logic
Articles

To write and think ‘in his own tongue’: Arthur Prior, Jack Bates & the New Zealand Journal of Theology

Mike Grimshaw
University of Canterbury: Christchurch, NZ

Published 23-10-2023

Keywords

  • Arthur Prior,
  • Jack Bates,
  • Theology,
  • Philosophy,
  • Karl Barth

How to Cite

Grimshaw, M. (2023). To write and think ‘in his own tongue’: Arthur Prior, Jack Bates & the New Zealand Journal of Theology. Logic and Philosophy of Time, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.54337/lpt.v5i1.7862

Abstract

While the influence of John Findlay on Arthur Prior is well known, there are others who, in their own way, had a significant influence on the thought of the young Arthur Prior and the development of his intellectual career. In particular, both Lex Miller and Jack Bates provided support, ideas, and an example as to how to combine theological and political and philosophical interests that Prior followed for many years. This article discusses the influence of Jack Bates, and in particular the journal Bates cofounded with Jim Steele, the New Zealand Journal of Theology (hereafter NZJT), that Prior wrote for in the mid-1930s. It is argued that Bates can be seen to provide a model of combining theological and philosophical work and interests, as well as how to engage in the type of religious journalism that Prior noted, in 1936, was now his aim (Grimshaw 2018, p.93). Prior contined, via his roles as elder in the Presbyterian Church, to interact with Bates until Prior and his family finally left New Zealand for Manchester at the end of 1958.

References

  1. Aitken, J. (1933). ‘Some Aspects of the Relation Between Science and Religion’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.3 No.1 November, pp.8-13.
  2. Allan, J. (1934). ‘The Oxford Group Movement. The Doctrine of Guidance’, New Zealand Journal of Theology Vol.3 No.4 August, pp.108-113.
  3. Baird, J. (1934).’Total Depravity’, New Zealand Journal of Theology Vol. 3 No.4 August, pp.97-101.
  4. Barth, K.(1932). ‘Some Questions Which Christianity Must Face’, [Translated by The Editors] New Zealand Journal of Theology Vol.1 No.4, August, pp.138-143.
  5. Bates, J.M. (1931). ‘Christianity and Philosophy’, Open Windows June pp.10-11, 24.
  6. Bates, J.M. (1932a). ‘A Critical Examination of Otto’s Idea of the Holy’, New Zealand Journal of Theology Vol.1 No.2 February, pp.62-71.
  7. Bates, J.M (1932b). ‘Review of Nicholai Hartmann, Ethics’, New Zealand Journal of Theology Vol. 2 no.1 November, pp.188-90.
  8. Bates, J.M. (1933). ‘Review of Paul Tillich, The Religious Situation’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.2 No.3 May pp.256-257.
  9. Bates, J.M. (1934). ‘Some Points At Issue Between Emil Brunner and Karl Barth’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.4 No.1 November pp.1-14.
  10. Bates, J.M. (1950). A Manual of Doctrine, Presbyterian Bookroom.
  11. Bates, J.M. (1995). ‘Presbyterian Theology in New Zealand From 1930-1980. A Personal Retrospective’, in Pearson (ed) ‘Unpublished Papers From the Archives’. J.M. Bates’, Hewitson library, Knox College, Dunedin.
  12. Breward, I. (1975). Grace And Truth. A History of the Theological Hall Knox College, Dunedin 1876-1975, Theological Education Committee Presbyterian Church of New Zealand.
  13. Brunner, E. (1934) Natur und Gnade. Zum Gesprach mit Karl Barth, Tübingen.
  14. Editors, (1931). ‘Editorial’, New Zealand Journal of Theology Vol.1 No.1 November, pp.1-3.
  15. Editor, (1932). ‘Review of Nicholai Hartmann, Ethics, Vol.1’, New Zealand Journal of Theology Vol.1 No.4 August, pp.157-158.
  16. Fisher, A.G.B. (1933). “Religion and the Spirit of Capitalism”, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.2 No.4 August, pp. 274-289.
  17. Fraser, I.W.(1932). ‘The Ethical Implications and Consequences of the Theology of Karl Barth’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.1 no.4 pp.144-148.
  18. Fraser, I.W. (1933). Translation of “Sermon from Komm Schopfer Geist. By Karl Barth and Eduard Turneysen”, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.3 No.1 November, pp.14-19.
  19. Fraser, I.W. (1934a). ‘The Corruption Of Human Reason Discussed In Relation To The Theology Of Karl Barth’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.3 No.2 February, pp.42-47.
  20. Fraser, I.W. (1934b). ‘Review of Karl Barth, Die kirchliche Dogmatik: Die Lehre vom Wort Gottes’, New Zealand Journal of Theology Vol.3 No.4 August, pp.124-25.
  21. Fraser, I.W.(1935). ‘Reason and Revelation’, New Zealand Journal of Theology Vol.4 No.2 February, pp.49-54.
  22. Gibb, J. (1931). ‘The Theology of Karl Barth’, New Zealand Journal of Theology Vol.1 No.1 November, pp.4-15.
  23. Grimshaw, M. (ed.) (2018). Arthur Prior, ‘A young progressive’. Letters to Ursula Bethell and to Hugh Teague 1936-1941, Canterbury University Press.
  24. Grimshaw, M. (2020). ‘From Flower-Show to 'Praying Scientist': the Early Thought of Arthur Prior’ in Jakobsen, D; Øhrstrøm, P; Prior, M; Rini, (ed) Three Little Essays. Arthur Prior in 1931. Logic and Philosophy of Time, Volume 3 Aalborg: Aalborg University Press.
  25. Kenny, A. (1970). ‘Arthur Norman Prior (1914-1969)’. Proceedings of the British Academy, 56, pp. 321-349.
  26. Maurice, F.D. (1959). The Kingdom of Christ, Volume 1, James Clarke & Co, Ltd.
  27. Moore, A.C, & Bates, J.M. (1978). Letters to J.M. Bates – A Tribute, University of Otago.
  28. Pearson, C. (1994). ‘The Theological Case of J.M. Bates’, Annual Lecture, Presbyterian Historical Society, Wellington.
  29. Prior, A.N. (1932). ‘Christianity and Communism’, Open Windows, October, pp.19-20.
  30. Prior, A.N. (1933a). ‘Art, Nature and Other Things’, New Zealand Journal of Theology Vol.2. No.3 May, pp.231- 33.
  31. Prior, A.N. (1933b). ‘Review of Nathan Söderblom, The Living God’, New Zealand Journal of Theology Vol.2 No.3 May, pp.251-52.
  32. Prior, A.N. (1933c). ‘Dostoevsky’, Open Windows, August pp.5-6.
  33. Prior, A.N. (1933d). ‘Doestoevsky – A Modern Apocalyptic’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.3 No.1 November, pp.4-7.
  34. Prior, A.N. (1934a). ‘Theology and Art’, Otago University Review, pp.26-28.
  35. Prior, A.N. (1934b). ‘A Plea for Religious Classicism’, Open Windows, April pp.21-22.
  36. Prior, A.N. (1935). ‘Maurice’s Kingdom of Christ’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.4 No.3 May, pp.81-87.
  37. Prior, A.N. (1948). ‘When I was a Fresher’. Transcribed and edited by Prior, M., Jakobsen, D. and Øhrstrøm, P. In: Hasle, P., Øhrstrøm, P. and Jakobsen, D. (eds.): The Nachlass of A.N.Prior. https://nachlass.prior.aau.dk/paper/when-i-was-a-fresher
  38. Prior, A.N. (1951). ‘Christian Doctrine’, New Zealand Listener vol. 24 No.614, April 6, pp.12-13,
  39. Ranston, T. (1931). ‘The Philosophy of the Wisdom Literature’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, vol.1 No.1 November, pp.22-25.
  40. Robertson, F. (1933). ‘Art and The Kingdom of God’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.2 No.2 February, pp.200-204.
  41. Scott, D.D. (1934). ‘Here and There Among Books and Magazines’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol. 3 No.3 May, pp.85-88.
  42. Steele, J.T.V. (1933). ‘The Personalist Conception of God’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.2 No.2 February, pp.193-199.
  43. Steele, J.T.V. (1934a). ‘Some Notes On Calvin’s Recent Biography’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol. 3 No.3 May, pp.81-84.
  44. Steele, J.T.V (1934b). ‘Review of Anton Keller, Karl Barth and Christian Unity’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.3 No.3 May, pp.95-96.
  45. Steele, J.T.V.(1935a). ‘Calvin’s Concepetion Of The Life Of A Christian Man’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.4 No.2 February pp.33-43.
  46. Steele, J.T.V. (1935b). ‘Emil Brunner On The Atonement’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.4 No.4 August pp.97-110.
  47. Troup, G.S.(1932). ‘ “The New Middle Ages” and A New St. Augustine”, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.2 No.1 Nov, pp.176-182.
  48. Watson, A.C. (1933a). ‘First Thoughts on Confession’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.2 No.3 May, pp.240-246.
  49. Watson, A.C. (1933b). ‘Review of Karl Barth, The Epistle to the Romans’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol.3 No. 1 Nov, pp.29-31.
  50. Watson, A.C. (1934). ‘Human Personality – Creative Or Created?’, New Zealand Journal of Theology, Vol. 3 No.2 February, pp.52-57.
  51. Whitehead, L.G. (1931). ‘The University of New Zealand and the Churches’, New Zealand Journal of Theology Vol.1 No.1 Nov, pp.26-30.