Dr Douglas TEMPLETON

I'm sure he would expect me to be late...as always to class." YES,YES, Yes, Yes, Yes." he always said, when asked a question. Once he said that I was extreme... He would know. Eventually I made the connection. He channeled Jack Kerouac. He and Hugh got me through half a century teaching New Testament in South America, Cuba, and USA. Wonder if I can channel them. In their honor, I've never put down the Petersen pipe. Now I finally get to read his book on New Testament as True Fiction. For...

Doug befriended me, an American foreign student at Glasgow University's Theology faculty, where we both were studying in the 60's. Rebels we were, enjoying making light of Gregor-Smith, the faculty head. Doug reminded me of the American actor, Robert Mitchum--completely natural, unforced, centered in who he was, questioning, entertaining opinions rather than spouting them, handsome. There was great strength in his modesty and in his love of humanity: he looked for and found God's spark in...

I was very sad to learn of Douglas' passing. The Templetons were very much a household name when we were growing up and Elizabeth and Douglas were regular guests at the various homes we had in Edinburgh. My late father was Prof of New Testament (Hugh Anderson) Dad knew how brilliant Douglas was and it was GK Chesterton that said "Theology is that part of religion that requires brains" and what an incredible brain Douglas had. His teaching wasn't just about inputting his opinions but more...

A gentleman through and through and I will always be very grateful for his help during my studies at New College

What a teacher! 09.00, he enters the class. With a swish of his kilt he turns, locks the door. Donald descends in a circle to the floor. He opens a bottle good port and begins a class which is, as always a revelation/revolution. With difficult Greek words or phrases he gets one to break down the constituent parts and sense begins... Or is it the port?

A beautiful man who encouraged me as a student in ways that are still firmly responded to.

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Robert...

Douglas, Douglas, I shall miss you so. You will always be with me: making a rabbit stew in Southend, shouting "gromobran" at the bus driver that would not wait for us, asking if I'll start chasing rabbits after administering me dog's eye drops, singing "Keep straight to the end of the road," with Harry Lauder, and saying "Ah yes, it feels quite like the old times," as I saw you for the last time.
'And alien tears will fill for him pity's long broken urn. For his mourners will all be...