About
Dr Matthew Kirkpatrick serves as Tutorial Fellow in Ethics and Doctrine, Tutor for Graduates, and Dean of Degrees at Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford, teaching ethics, Christian doctrine, historical theology, and philosophy across undergraduate and graduate programmes.
His Oxford education culminated in a D.Phil analyzing Kierkegaard and Bonhoeffer, forming the foundation for his specialized research trajectory.
Kirkpatrick's scholarship critically examines existentialism's interplay with Christianity, particularly through Kierkegaard and Bonhoeffer, while pioneering work on death theology, theology-psychology interfaces, and children's theological ethics. His research bridges historical analysis with contemporary ethical challenges in community formation, parenthood, and Christian witness.
Recent publications like the 2024 monograph "Bonhoeffer for the Church" reveal consistent thematic focus on Bonhoeffer's ecclesial relevance and Kierkegaard's existential insights, demonstrating interdisciplinary rigor through theological engagement with psychology, sociology, and philosophical ethics.
He actively supervises doctoral research, inviting DPhil candidates to explore his core areas including Kierkegaard/Bonhoeffer studies, death theology, and Christian ethical frameworks.
