Caleb Gilleland
Thesis title: Apostle of Reconciliation: The New Perspectives on Paul and Implications for Bahá’í, Muslim, and Christian Theologies of the Other
PhD supervisors:
Background
Caleb Gilleland is a recent PhD graduate in Christian-Muslim Relations at the School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh. His research explores modern receptions of the apostle Paul in interfaith contexts, with a focus on how Pauline theology is interpreted in Islamic and Bahá’í thought. His broader interests include Bahá’í studies, evangelical missiology, and Quranist interpretations of Islam. He draws particular inspiration from the theological work of N.T. Wright, Andrew Perriman, Udo Schaefer, and Shabbir Akhtar.
Having grown up as an evangelical Christian until becoming a Baha'i as a young adult, Caleb has always been interested in how religious boundaries intersect and overlap, as well as how practitioners deal with conflicts of identity. His academic work is shaped by a personal and scholarly commitment to exploring how religious boundaries are navigated, negotiated, and reimagined across traditions.
CV
139181.pdf
Qualifications
PhD (Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations) University of Edinburgh.
M.A. (Theology and Religion) King's College London.
A.B. (International Affairs) University of Georgia.
M.S. (Marketing) Georgia State University.
Undergraduate teaching
Instructor – Paul & the New Testament Epistles
Corinne True Center for Bahá’í History | Spring 2025
Tutor – Jews and Muslims
School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh | Autumn 2022
Research summary
My interests include modern views of the apostle Paul — especially in interfaith context, Baha'i studies, evangelical Christian missional method, and Quranist interpretations of Islam. My MA dissertation was on how to properly classify NT Wright's theory of atonement. I am particularly interested in the theological works of NT Wright, Andrew Perriman, Udo Schaefer, and Shabbir Akhtar.
Project activity
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Towards a Bahá’í Theology of Religions: Integrating Diversity in Comparative Theology Currently under review by interfaith journal.
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When Worlds End: Apocalyptic Visions of Peace in Christian, Islamic, and Bahá’í Thought Conference paper in development for presentation (September 2025); article intended for post-conference submission.
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Reimagining Atonement through Progressive Revelation: A Bahá’í Engagement with Christian and Muslim Soteriology Planned article exploring theologies of sin, sacrifice, and submission across the Abrahamic traditions
Conference details
Participant
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“Paul within Islam: Roadblocks and New Possibilities in Muslim and Bahá’í Dialogue with Christianity.” LERU Theology and Religious Studies Conference, Lund University, Sweden, June 2022.
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“Paul within Islam: Roadblocks and New Possibilities in Muslim and Bahá’í Dialogue with Christianity.” Centre for Muslim and Christian Studies (CMCS), Oxford, UK, Summer 2023.
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“Apostle of Reconciliation: The New Perspectives on Paul and Implications for Bahá’í, Muslim, and Christian Theologies of the Other.” Association for Bahá’í Studies – North America, Atlanta, USA, August 2024.
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“Apostle of Reconciliation: The New Perspectives on Paul and Implications for Bahá’í, Muslim, and Christian Theologies of the Other.” Association for Bahá’í Studies – UK, Bicester, UK, November 2024.
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“Apostle of Reconciliation: The New Perspectives on Paul and Implications for Bahá’í, Muslim, and Christian Theologies of the Other.” Shaykhi, Bábí, and Bahá’í Studies Seminar, Wolfson College, University of Oxford, May 2025. (Invited)
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“A Bahá’í Approach to Comparative Theology: Reframing the Other in Light of Progressive Revelation.” Association for Bahá’í Studies – North America, Calgary, Canada, July 2025.
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“When Worlds End: Apocalyptic Visions of Peace in Christian, Islamic, and Bahá’í Thought.” Association for Bahá’í Studies – UK, Edinburgh, UK, September 2025. (Invited)