William Atkinson grew up in London, England and studied medicine in Edinburgh, Scotland. After working briefly as a medical doctor, he heard God's call to church ministry and took up a position on the ministry team at Kensington Temple, London. He gained a Master's Degree in Theology from London Bible College. In 1997, William became principal of Regents Theological College. While there, he completed a PhD with Edinburgh University in 2007. In the same year, he moved back into local church ministry in southeast England. Since 2011, he has worked at the London School of Theology, where he was a vice-principal. He continues there as a senior lecturer in Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies. He is on the Board of Advisers of the Foundation for Pentecostal Scholarship and is a member of the European Pentecostal Theological Association. He has written several books as well as both scholarly and "popular" articles. William has been married to Alison since 1983. They have two sons: Iain and Stephen.
"Precisely because he goes into this project with his eyes wide open, William Atkinson helps open our eyes to possibilities we'd not seen before. There are new challenges to consensus positions offered here; you'll start by raising an eyebrow, but to reply effectively, you'll need to raise your game."
--Conrad Gempf, Lecturer in New Testament, London School of Theology; author of Jesus Asked
"Within the recognizably Pentecostal framework of the fourfold Gospel, Atkinson's marvelously lucid book examines the work of Jesus by engaging closely with the biblical text and a range of scholarly studies. The result is original and inspiring. It will benefit pastors, scholars, and students in equal measure."
--William K. Kay, Professor of Pentecostal Studies, University of Chester
"Written with clarity and verve by a Pentecostal for Pentecostals, Atkinson offers a highly readable and creative contribution to Jesus research. Appealing to Pentecostal religious experiences as analogues, Atkinson builds a hermeneutical bridge for the imagination to the Jesus tradition. Fully aware that there is no such thing as value-free historical enquiry, his Pentecostal grid is not imposed but generates questions around the Pentecostal foursquare gospel--Savior, Healer, Spirit baptizer, and soon-coming King. The result is studded with gems."
--Graham H. Twelftree, Charles L. Holman Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity, PhD Program Director, School of Divinity, Regent University
"Using the Pentecostal foursquare gospel as his lens--Jesus as Savior, Healer, baptizer in the Spirit, and soon-coming King--Atkinson gives a vigorous but also academic and well-informed Pentecostal reading of the Gospel accounts of Jesus' ministry."
--James D. G. Dunn, Emeritus Professor of Divinity, University of Durham
"In this ambitious undertaking, William Atkinson seeks to identify the shape and contours of a Pentecostal study of the life of Jesus. Drawing heavily on his own Pentecostal context by means of the reception history of Jesus within early Finished Work Pentecostal literature, he sets forth an understanding of the person and work of Jesus from a Full Gospel perspective that focuses on Jesus as Savior, Holy Spirit baptizer, Healer, and soon-coming King, areas of enquiry that have often been underrepresented in the academy. Atkinson's pioneering work bears much fruit and will no doubt generate others of its kind."
--John Christopher Thomas, Clarence J. Abbott Professor of Biblical Studies, Pentecostal Theological Seminary
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