Peter Vardy (theologian)

Vardy was born to Mark Vardy and Christa Lund Vardy; his mother was Danish.Vardy, Peter (1996). The SPCK Introduction to Kierkegaard. London: Fount Paperbacks, p. ix. He attended Charterhouse, a private school in Godalming, Surrey.{{cite journal |title=Vardy, Peter |url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-4000666 |journal=Who's Who 2018 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20180815233633/http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-4000666/version/2 |archivedate=15 August 2018 |date=1 December 2008|url-status=dead|doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U4000666|isbn=978-0-19-954088-4 }} In 1974 he married his first wife, Anne Vardy, née Moore; the couple had two sons and three daughters before divorcing in 2004. Vardy remarried in 2009; he and his wife Charlotte, née Fowler (born 1978{{Cite web|title=Charlotte Elizabeth VARDY personal appointments – Find and update company information – GOV.UK|url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/xeKw4AJnUGpQ3LQKy1Uwkf2tYtQ/appointments|access-date=2021-12-02|website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk|language=en}}), have two daughters.{{Cite web|date=2021-10-26|title=Nidderdale academic receives honorary doctorate|url=https://thestrayferret.co.uk/nidderdale-academic-receives-honorary-doctorate/|access-date=2021-11-06|website=The Stray Ferret|language=en-GB}}

Vardy trained as a chartered accountant, becoming a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA) in 1967. He ran management-training sessions for the National Westminster Bank and Swiss Bank Corporation,{{Cite book|title=Who's Who 2011|publisher=A & C Black Publishers Ltd|year=2011|isbn=978-1408128565|location=London|pages=2357}} and was the chairman of H. Young Holdings plc from 1979 to 1983. At the age of 30, Vardy began to study theology, receiving a BA from the University of Southampton in 1979 and a PGCE (a teaching qualification) from the West Sussex Institute of Higher Education in 1980. He was awarded a master's degree in theology from King's College London in 1982, and a PhD in theology in 1984, also from King's, for a thesis entitled The concept of eternity.[http://catalogue.libraries.london.ac.uk/record=b1529547~S24 "The concept of eternity / Peter Vardy"], University of London.

Vardy taught philosophy of religion at King's College London and the Institute of Education. He began lecturing at Heythrop College in 1986 and in 1999 became the vice-principal,{{cite web |title=Dr. Peter Vardy |url=http://www.heythrop.ac.uk/faculty/acad/vardyp/vardyp.htm |publisher=Heythrop College |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209003039/http://www.heythrop.ac.uk/faculty/acad/vardyp/vardyp.htm |archivedate=9 February 2006|url-status=dead}} a position he held until his retirement in 2011.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/9050/alumni-say-farewell-as-heythrop-prepares-to-close|title=Alumni say 'farewell' as Heythrop prepares to close|last=Kehoe|first=Bernadette|website=The Tablet|language=en|access-date=2018-12-02}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/18979|title=New vice principal for Heythrop College {{!}} ICN|last=Griffith-Dickson|first=Gwen|website=indcatholicnews.com|language=en|access-date=2018-12-02}}

Whilst at Heythrop, he served on the University of London's Board of Theology (1990–1993). Vardy served as President of the London Society for the Study of Religion from 1996 to 1998 and remained a member until at least 2007 when the Society celebrated its centenary.{{Cite journal|last=de Waal|first=Victor|date=July 2007|title=The Centenary of the London Society for the Study of Religion: Friedrich von Hügel, Claude Montefiore and Their Friends|journal=Theology|volume= 110| issue = 856, 2007|pages=251–259|doi=10.1177/0040571X0711000403|s2cid=221072658}}

Vardy's primary academic interest is in the philosophy of Søren Kierkegaard, whose work he taught at Heythrop for 25 years. From 1987 he organized annual dinners in London on the anniversary of Kierkegaard's death,{{Cite journal|last=Ward|first=Rodney A.|date=1995|title=The Reception of Søren Kierkegaard into English|journal=The Expository Times|volume=107/2|issue=2|pages=43–47|doi=10.1177/001452469510700204|s2cid=169161771}}{{Cite book|title=Kierkegaard's International Reception, Volume 1|last=Pattison|first=George|editor-first=Jon|editor-last=Stewart|publisher=Ashgate|year=2009|location=Farnham|page=263|chapter=Great Britain: From 'Prophet of the Now' to Postmodern Ironist (and after)}} and in 1996 his book Kierkegaard was published, later published as The SPCK Introduction to Kierkegaard.

Vardy served as chair of the governors of Shebbear College, a Methodist school in Devon.{{Cite web|url=http://www.shebbearcollege.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/SC_Weekly_Newsletter_230916.pdf|title=Newsletter|date=23 September 2016|publisher=Shebbear College}} He has also worked as a member of the Methodist Schools Committee,Wilson, Zack (3 August 2011). [https://en.over-blog.com/A_biography_of_Peter_Vardy_Philosophy_Lecturer_Author-1228321782-art312961.html "A biography of Peter Vardy (Philosophy Lecturer, Author)"]. Overblog. and has been a keynote speaker at conferences in the field of education, including for UNESCO and UNHRC.{{Cite web|url=http://rcdow.org.uk/faith/faith-matters/faith-matters-spring-2009/dr-peter-vardy/|title=Is God? Who God? The Existence and Nature of God|publisher=Diocese of Westminster|date=Autumn 2012}} While at Heythrop, Vardy served as an editorial adviser for Dialogue,{{Cite web|url=http://www.dialogue.org.uk/editor.php|title=dialogue.org.uk|website=dialogue.org.uk|access-date=2018-12-02}} a journal of religion and philosophy aimed at sixth-form students, and made a series of teaching videos through Dialogue Education.{{Cite web|title='Arguments for the existence of God' by Peter Vardy|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/version/42999798|via=National Library of Australia|year=2001}} He began running day conferences for sixth-form students in the mid-1990s{{citation needed|date=August 2018}} and set up Wombat Education Ltd in 1998.{{Cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/03679698|title=Wombat Education Limited|publisher=Companies House|location=London}} In 2002 he and Julie Arliss of Richard Huish College, Taunton, organized a conference there and several others around the UK.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2002/dec/10/furthereducation.religiousstudiesandtheology|title=Divine inspiration fills sixth-form pews|last=Day|first=Malcolm|work=The Guardian|date=10 December 2002}} In 2009 Vardy and his second wife, Charlotte Vardy, set up Candle Conferences Ltd,{{Cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/07056392|title=CANDLE CONFERENCES LIMITED – Overview (free company information from Companies House)|website=beta.companieshouse.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-12-02}}{{Cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/07056392|title=Candle Conferences Limited|publisher=Companies House|location=London}} and in 2012 Candle Education Ltd,{{Cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/08201405|title=Candle Education Limited|publisher=Companies House|location=London}} through which they run day conferences for schools.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/10189981.Leading_philosopher_leads_regional_religious_conference/|title=Leading philosopher leads regional religious conference|website=The Northern Echo|date=28 January 2013}}{{Cite web|last=jhaigh|date=2021-10-19|title=University honours internationally-known leaders at 2021 Graduation|url=https://www.chi.ac.uk/news/university-honours-internationally-known-leaders-2021-graduation|access-date=2021-11-06|website=University of Chichester|language=en}}

Since 2010 Vardy has campaigned against the introduction of the English Baccalaureate, which he argues has led to a decline in numbers taking religious studies.{{Cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmeduc/writev/851/ebac214.htm|title=English Baccalaureate|website=publications.parliament.uk|access-date=2017-09-25}} He views philosophy of religion as an exercise in exploring the terms left undefined by theology (such as "God" and "soul") and encouraging humility.{{Cite book|title=What Philosophers Think|last1=Baggini|first1=Julian|last2=Stangroom|first2=Jeremy|publisher=Continuum|year=2003|location=London|pages=(114–122), 121}} Education is a way to help young people become fully human, in his view, or good in the Aristotelian sense.{{Cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/religionreport/dr-peter-vardy-on-religion-and-values-in-education/3423284|title=Dr Peter Vardy on religion and values in education|date=8 August 2004|publisher=Radio National}} He described the approach in his books "What is Truth?" (2001) and "Being Human" (2003), and in a paper, "Becoming Fully Human", for Dialogue Australasia in 2007.{{Cite web|url=http://sas-space.sas.ac.uk/740/1/P_Vardy_Human.pdf|title=Becoming Fully Human|last=Vardy|first=Peter|date=2007|website=Dialogue Australasia}}

Vardy was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Theology by the University of Chichester in October 2021, in recognition of his work in promoting the study of Religious Studies, Philosophy and Ethics and Values Education.{{Cite web|title=University of Chichester News|url=https://www.chi.ac.uk/news/university-honours-internationally-known-leaders-2021-graduation|access-date=6 November 2021|website=chi.ac.uk/news}}

In 1999 Vardy worked as a consultant for an Australian school, Geelong Grammar School, in Geelong, Victoria. Later he helped to set up the Dialogue Australasia Network,{{Cite web|last=Rutledge|first=David|url=http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/encounter/raveabout-religious-and-values-education/3529296|title=RAVE: about religious and values education|date=2 May 2002|publisher=ABC Radio National}} promoting the "five strands" approach to religious studies in schools that he proposed at the inaugural conference of Dialogue Australasia Network in 1997.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dialogueaustralasia.org/5-strands-approach/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407054906/http://www.dialogueaustralasia.org/5-strands-approach/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=7 April 2018|title=Five Strands|website=dialogueaustralasia.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-02}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.dialogueaustralasia.org/?page_id=23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905105910/http://www.dialogueaustralasia.org/?page_id=23|url-status=usurped|archive-date=5 September 2008|title=Five Strands|publisher=Dialogue Australasia Network|access-date=25 September 2017}} This was implemented in a number of Australasian Independent Schools.{{Cite journal|last=Hunt|first=Alison|date=2004|title=Values: Taught or Caught? Experiences of Year 3 Students in a Uniting Church School|url=https://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/education/iej/articles/v4n4/hunt/paper.pdf|journal=International Education Journal |volume= 4| issue = 4 |pages=129|via=https://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/education/iej/articles}} He also served as an editor and occasional author for the journal Dialogue Australasia.

Vardy has served as an editorial adviser for BBC and Channel 4 documentaries,{{Cite web|url=http://www.northtyneside.gov.uk/browse-display.shtml?p_ID=4908&p_subjectCategory=23|title=Experts help North Tyneside add spirit to learning|publisher=North Tyneside Council|date=24 May 2007}}{{Citation|last=alphafoxtrotalpha1|title=Ian Rankine's Evil Thoughts: 1/7|date=2010-08-24|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9HQ600SyQM|access-date=2018-12-02}} has been interviewed by ABC Radio in Australia,{{Cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/sundaynights/stories/s1443528.htm|title=Feature Interview: Dr Peter Vardy|website=ABC Radio|date=21 August 2015}} and has written for several publications, including Times Higher Education,{{Cite news|last=Vardy|first=Peter|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/features/dead-reckoning/417177.article|title=Dead reckoning|date=18 August 2011|work=Times Higher Education}} Eureka Street,{{Cite web|last=Vardy|first=Peter|url=https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=41716#.Wckz5MiGOUk|title=Theologians should face Peter Singer's challenge|website=Eureka Street|date=31 July 2014}} and The Age.{{Cite news|last=Vardy|first=Peter|title=Denying Catholic minds the quest for truth|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/123072417/|work=The Age|date=28 May 1999|page=15}} Vardy's Introduction to Kierkegaard was recommended in 2003 by the BBC Radio 4 Open Book's Reading Clinic.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/openbook/openbook_20030720.shtml|title=The Reading Clinic|publisher=BBC Radio 4|date=20 July 2003}}

Books

{{refbegin|26em}}

• (1987). God of Our Fathers? Do We Know What We Believe? London: Darton, Longman and Todd.
• (1988). And if it's True? London: Marshall Pickering.
• (1989). Business Morality, People and Profit. London: Marshall Pickering.
• (1990). The Puzzle of God. London: M. E. Sharpe.
• (1992). The Puzzle of Evil. London: M. E. Sharpe.
• (1994, with Paul Grosch). The Puzzle of Ethics. London: Fount Paperbacks.
• (1995, with Mary Mills). The Puzzle of the Gospels. London: M. E. Sharpe.
• (1996). Kierkegaard (later The SPCK Introduction to Kierkegaard). London: Fount Paperbacks.
• (1997). The Puzzle of Sex. London: M. E. Sharpe.
• (1999). What is Truth? Sydney: University of New South Wales Press.
• (2003, with Julie Arliss). The Thinker's Guide to God. Alresford: John Hunt Publishing, Ltd.
• (2003, with Julie Arliss). The Thinker's Guide to Evil. Alresford: John Hunt Publishing, Ltd.
• (2003). Being Human. London: Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd.
• (2010). Good & Bad Religion. London: SCM Press.
• (2012, with Charlotte Vardy). Ethics Matters. London: SCM Press.
• (2013, with Charlotte Vardy). God Matters. London: SCM Press.
• (2016, with Charlotte Vardy). Bible Matters. London: SCM Press.
• (2016). The Puzzle of Christianity. London: William Collins.
• (2020). "Beyond the Cave: A philosopher's quest for Truth". London: Iff Books.{{refend}}

Articles and chapters

{{refbegin|26em}}

• (1987). "Review of Kierkegaard's Dialect of Inwardness by Stephen N. Dunning", in Religious Studies. 23 (3):427–428.
• (1993). "Technology in the Age of Automata", in Graduate Faculty Philosophy Journal. 16(1): 209–226.
• (1995). "A Christian Approach to Eternal Life", in D. Cohn-Sherbok and C. Lewis (eds.). Beyond Death. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
• (1997). "Theology and Sharing the Economic Cake", in P. Askonas and S. F. Frowen (eds.). Welfare and Values. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
• (2002). "Is Religious Education and ethical and moral debate a contradiction?", in Lynne Broadbent and Alan Brown (eds.). Issues in Religious Education. London: RoutledgeFalmer.
• (2005). "The Philosophy of Religion", in John R. Hinnells (ed). The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion. London: Routledge.
• (2014). "Theologians should face Peter Singer's challenge". Eureka Street. 24(14), July 2014.

{{refend}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://candleconferences.com/ Candle Conferences]

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Category:1945 births

Category:Academics of Heythrop College

Category:Alumni of King's College London

Category:English theologians

Category:English ethicists

Category:Kierkegaard scholars

Category:Living people

Category:English people of Danish descent