David Munro Lewis
Thesis title: The Sacramentality of All Creation: A World Christianity Study on the Theology of Maathai, Johnsen, and Chryssavgis
PhD in World Christianity
Year of study: 4
- Centre for the Study of World Christianity
Contact details
PhD supervisors:
Address
- Street
-
Semples Room
School of Divinity, Mound Place - City
- Edinburgh
- Post code
- EH1 2LX
Background
David Lewis is from Vancouver, Canada. He previously lived and worked in Cape Town, South Africa from 2012-2017, where his interest in both African theology and World Christianity first emerged. He is currently a PhD candidate at the Centre for the Study of World Christianity, University of Edinburgh. His current doctoral research examines the work of theologians Wangari Maathai, Tore Johnsen, and John Chryssavgis, examining the relationship between Christian theology, cosmology, and ecology, focusing on the theme of sacramentality and a sacramental worldview in all three theologians' work, exploring its implications for theology and the study of World Christianity.
CV
140021.pdf
Qualifications
Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy - AFHEA (2025)
MTh in World Christianity, Regent College, Vancouver, Canada (2021)
MA in Theological Studies, Regent College, Vancouver, Canada (2020)
BA (Honours) in History, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (2010)
Responsibilities & affiliations
Memberships:
Yale-Edinburgh Group on World Christianity and the History of Mission
Society for the Study of Theology
American Academy of Religion
Undergraduate teaching
University of Edinburgh:
- History of Christianity as a World Religion 1B, 2024-25 (Semester 2)
- History of Christianity as a World Religion 1B, 2022-23 (Semester 2)
Postgraduate teaching
University of Edinburgh:
- Theology, Ecology, and Climate Change: Christian Thought in a Changing World, 2023-24 (Semester 2)
Regent College:
- Perspectives on Spirituality in the Majority World (APPL 775), 2019-20 (Semester 1)
- Research TA for Prof. Diane Stinton, 2019-20 (Semesters 1 & 2)
Research summary
My interests include World Christianity, African theology, cosmology, ecotheology, and Indigenous theologies and their engagement with Christian thought.
Affiliated research centres
Conference details
Edinburgh Dogmatics Conference, Edinburgh, June 2025
American Academy of Religion Conference, San Diego, Nov. 2024
Yale-Edinburgh Conference, Edinburgh, Jun. 2023
Society for the Study of Theology (SST) Conference, Coventry, Apr. 2023
Invited speaker
Edinburgh Theological Seminary, Seminar, Sept. 2025: "My Journey in World Christianity: From African Christianity to Sacramentality"
Regent College, Vancouver, World Christianity Seminar, Dec. 2024: "My Journey in World Christianity: From African Christianity to Ecotheology"
New College, University of Edinburgh, Seminar, Oct. 2024: "Ecotheology and Disenchantment: Maathai, Chryssavgis, and Johnsen on Restoring Sacramentality"
Organiser
2020 Academic Symposium, Regent College, Vancouver - Co-organiser
Participant
Edinburgh Dogmatics Conference, Edinburgh, June 2025
American Academy of Religion Conference, San Diego, Nov. 2024
Yale-Edinburgh Conference, Edinburgh, Jun. 2023
Society for the Study of Theology Conference, Coventry, Apr. 2023
Yale-Edinburgh Conference, Edinburgh, Jun. 2022
Papers delivered
"From Nicaea to Chalcedon: Christendom, Ecumenism, and World Christianity," Edinburgh Dogmatics Conference, Edinburgh, June 2025
"Wangari Maathai and Afua Kuma: Prophetic Activism and Creation Care," American Academy of Religion Conference, San Diego, Nov. 2024
"Problematising Dualism and Hierarchy for Ecological Concern: Johnsen's Decolonial Methodology in Defence of Non-Hierarchical Worldmaking," Yale-Edinburgh Conference, Edinburgh, Jun. 2023
"Women and Power in an Age of Climate Crisis: Kuma and Maathai as Seminal Source in African Theology," Society for the Study of Theology Conference, Coventry, Apr. 2023
"African Christian Spirituality in the Work of A.E. Orobator: A Theological Brew of an African Flavour," Regent College Academic Symposium, Vancouver, Mar. 2021
“Problematising Hierarchy and Dualism for Ecological Concern: Johnsen’s Decolonial Methodology in Defence of Non-Hierarchical Worldmaking.” Studies in World Christianity 30, no. 1 (2024): 62–79.
“Christology.” Bibliographical Encyclopaedia of African Theology. Co-authored with Chukwuemeka A. Atansi and Diane B. Stinton. 30 October 2023. https://african.theologyworldwide.com/encyclopaedia-african-christian-thought/christology
Book Review:
“Tim Hartman. 2021.” Review of Kwame Bediako: African Theology for a World Christianity, by Tim Hartman. Studies in World Christianity 29, no. 2 (May 2023): 227–29.