Lloyd Geering facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Lloyd Geering
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Geering in 2020
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Lloyd George Geering
26 February 1918 Rangiora, New Zealand
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| Alma mater | University of Otago |
| Known for | 1967 charges of heresy |
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| Children | 3 |
Sir Lloyd George Geering (born 26 February 1918) is a famous New Zealand theologian. A theologian is someone who studies religion and religious beliefs. In 1967, he had a big discussion with his church about his ideas. He believed that some parts of the Bible, like the story of Jesus's resurrection, should be understood in a different way.
Sir Lloyd also thinks that very strict religious beliefs, called fundamentalism, can cause problems in society. He is a professor of religious studies at Victoria University of Wellington. In 2007, he received the Member of the Order of New Zealand, which is the highest award a civilian can get in New Zealand. Sir Lloyd turned 100 years old in February 2018.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Lloyd Geering was born in Rangiora, New Zealand, on 26 February 1918. He grew up in Dunedin. For a few years, from 1927 to 1930, his family lived in Australia. While there, Lloyd was the top student at Warrnambool Elementary School.
After returning to Dunedin, he attended Otago Boys' High School from 1931 to 1935. He was the best student in his final year and played hockey. In 1936, he started studying mathematics at the University of Otago.
Discovering His Path
In 1937, a friend invited Lloyd to church and to a student Christian group. This experience changed his life a lot. He decided he wanted to become a minister, which is a leader in the church. He was accepted to study at Knox College, but he finished his first university degree first.
He was good at hockey and enjoyed acting and debating at university. In 1939, he became the president of the Otago Student Christian Movement. He was also nominated for a special scholarship called the Rhodes Scholarship. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with top honors in 1940.
After university, he began studying to become a minister in 1940. He did not have to join the military during World War II. He believed in peace and felt that being a soldier did not fit with his Christian beliefs.
Family Life
On 22 May 1943, Lloyd Geering married Nancy Marie McKenzie. They had two children together. Sadly, Nancy passed away in 1949.
In 1951, Lloyd married Elaine Morrison Parker, who was a speech therapist. They had one child. Elaine passed away in 2001. Later, in 2004, Sir Lloyd married Shirley Evelyn Adams. Shirley passed away in 2021.
Career and Teaching
Lloyd Geering became a minister in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand in 1943. He worked as a minister in different towns, including Kurow, Dunedin, and Wellington.
Later, he started teaching about religion. He was a professor of Old Testament studies in Australia from 1956 to 1960. Then, he taught in Dunedin from 1960 to 1971. He also became the head of the Theological Hall in Dunedin.
In 1971, Sir Lloyd became the first professor of religious studies at Victoria University of Wellington. He taught there until he retired in 1984. Even after retiring, he continued to teach and share his ideas.
Discussions About Beliefs
In 1967, Sir Lloyd Geering became well-known because of a big discussion within the Presbyterian Church. Some people disagreed with his teachings about the Bible. They felt his ideas were different from traditional church beliefs.
During this time, he explained that he believed Jesus's body remained in Palestine after his death. He also said that the idea of Jesus's resurrection should be understood as a spiritual event, not just a physical one. He also questioned the idea of God as a supernatural being who controls everything. The church leaders discussed these ideas and decided not to take further action against him.
Later Life and Contributions
Sir Lloyd Geering's second wife, Elaine, passed away in 2001. He married Shirley Evelyn Adams in 2004, and she passed away in 2021.
On 26 February 2018, Sir Lloyd celebrated his 100th birthday! His father also lived to be 100 years old.
In 2021, Sir Lloyd joined a group called Intergenerational Climate Ambassadors. This group works to raise awareness about climate change. He believes that humans need to take responsibility for the Earth's future. He explained that we now understand that natural forces affect our world, and human actions have caused the Earth's temperature to rise.
Awards and Recognition
Sir Lloyd Geering has received many important awards for his work.
- In 1976, he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the University of Otago.
- In 1988, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
- In 2001, he became a Principal Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
- In 2007, he was appointed a Member of the Order of New Zealand, which is the highest honor in New Zealand.
- In 2009, he accepted the title of Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
He is also a supporter of the Coalition for Open Government, a group that promotes transparency in government.
Selected Books
Sir Lloyd Geering has written many books about his ideas and studies. Here are a few of them:
- Portholes to the Past: Reflections on the Early 20th Century (2016)
- On Me Bike: Cycling Round New Zealand 80 Years Ago (2015)
- Reimagining God: The Faith Journey of a Modern Heretic (2014)
- From the Big Bang to God: Our Awe-Inspiring Journey of Evolution (2013)
- Such Is Life!: A Close Encounter With Ecclesiastes (2010)
- Coming Back to Earth: From Gods to God to Gaia (2009)
- In Praise of the Secular (2007)
- Is Christianity Going Anywhere? (2004)
- Wrestling with God: The Story of My Life (2006)
- The Greening of Christianity (2005)
- Christianity Without God (2002)
- Christian Faith at the Crossroads (revised 2001)
- The World to Come: From Christian Past to Global Future (1999)
- Tomorrow's God: How We Create our Worlds (1996)
- In the World Today (1988)
- The World of Relation: An Introduction to Martin Buber's I and Thou (1983)
- Faith's New Age: A Perspective on Contemporary Religious Change (1980)
- Resurrection – A Symbol of Hope (1971)
- God in the New World (1968)
