Rheinallt Nantlais Williams
Encyclopedia
Reverend Professor Rheinallt Nantlais Williams MBE
, MA (1911 – 1993) was a Welsh
Professor of Philosophy of Religion
and Principal of the Presbyterian United Theological College Aberystwyth
in Wales
.
Rheinallt Williams was born in Ammanford in Carmarthenshire
, one of seven children (two of whom died in infancy) of Nantlais Williams
, a Welsh
poet and a Presbyterian Christian
leader during the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival
and his wife Alice Maud Jones, a relative to J. T. Job. Williams gained a 1st Class honours degree in Philosophy
at Cardiff University
, which was followed by a period of research at the University of Edinburgh
and the University of Marburg. He was elected Lewis Gibson Scholar at Westminster College, Cambridge
where he studied Theology
for three years. On leaving Cambridge he became the minister at the Tabernacle in Whitchurch
in Cardiff
from 1939 to 1949, excluding a period of war service.
During World War II
he was appointed a Chaplain to the Forces
(4th Class) in May 1942. In September 1943 Captain
Williams was appointed MBE
(Military Division) for services during the North African Campaign
. He spent four years as Professor of Practical Theology
at the Theological College in Bala
before being appointed Professor of Philosophy of Religion
at the United Theological College Aberystwyth
in 1953.
His 1973 book Faith Facing Facts was originally a Pantyfedwen Trust Lecture. It was followed a year later by Faith Facts History Science and How They Fit Together. In 1979 he succeeded Rev. Prof. S. I. Enoch
as Principal of the United Theological College in Aberystwyth
.
With his wife he had two sons, one of whom is Dr. Stephen Nantlais Williams, Professor of Systematic Theology
at Union Theological College
in Belfast
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, MA (1911 – 1993) was a Welsh
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
Professor of Philosophy of Religion
Philosophy of religion
Philosophy of religion is a branch of philosophy concerned with questions regarding religion, including the nature and existence of God, the examination of religious experience, analysis of religious language and texts, and the relationship of religion and science...
and Principal of the Presbyterian United Theological College Aberystwyth
United Theological College Aberystwyth
The United Theological College located in Aberystwyth, in the county of Ceredigion in mid Wales was the ministerial training college of the Presbyterian Church of Wales and an associate college of the University of Wales...
in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
Rheinallt Williams was born in Ammanford in Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire is a unitary authority in the south west of Wales and one of thirteen historic counties. It is the 3rd largest in Wales. Its three largest towns are Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford...
, one of seven children (two of whom died in infancy) of Nantlais Williams
Nantlais Williams
William Nantlais Williams , better known simply as Nantlais, was a Welsh poet and a Presbyterian Christian leader during the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival.- Background :...
, a Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
poet and a Presbyterian Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
leader during the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival
1904-1905 Welsh Revival
The Welsh Revival was the largest Christian revival in Wales during the 20th century. While by no means the best known of revivals, it was one of the most dramatic in terms of its effect on the population, and it had repercussions that reached far beyond the Welsh border, triggering a series of...
and his wife Alice Maud Jones, a relative to J. T. Job. Williams gained a 1st Class honours degree in Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
, which was followed by a period of research at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
and the University of Marburg. He was elected Lewis Gibson Scholar at Westminster College, Cambridge
Westminster College, Cambridge
Westminster College in Cambridge is a theological college of the United Reformed Church, formerly the Presbyterian Church of England. Its principal purpose is the training of clergy for ordination, but is also used more widely for training within the denomination...
where he studied Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
for three years. On leaving Cambridge he became the minister at the Tabernacle in Whitchurch
Whitchurch, Cardiff
Whitchurch is a suburb in the north of Cardiff, capital of Wales. It is approximately 3 miles north of the centre of the city on the A470 road and A4054 road. Its estimated population as of 2004 was 15,649. It falls within the Whitchurch & Tongwynlais ward.-History:Whitchurch draws its name from...
in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
from 1939 to 1949, excluding a period of war service.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he was appointed a Chaplain to the Forces
Royal Army Chaplains' Department
The Royal Army Chaplains' Department is an all-officer corps that provides ordained clergy to minister to the British Army.As of 2007, there are about 280 serving regular chaplains in the British Army; these can belong to either one of several Christian churches, or to the Jewish faith, although...
(4th Class) in May 1942. In September 1943 Captain
Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)
Captain is a junior officer rank of the British Army and Royal Marines. It ranks above Lieutenant and below Major and has a NATO ranking code of OF-2. The rank is equivalent to a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy and to a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force...
Williams was appointed MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(Military Division) for services during the North African Campaign
North African campaign
During the Second World War, the North African Campaign took place in North Africa from 10 June 1940 to 13 May 1943. It included campaigns fought in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts and in Morocco and Algeria and Tunisia .The campaign was fought between the Allies and Axis powers, many of whom had...
. He spent four years as Professor of Practical Theology
Practical theology
Practical theology is the practical application of theology to everyday life. Richard Osmer explains that the four key questions and tasks in practical theology are:# What is going on? # Why is this going on?...
at the Theological College in Bala
Bala, Gwynedd
Bala is a market town and community in Gwynedd, Wales, and formerly an urban district of the historic county of Merionethshire. It lies at the north end of Bala Lake , 17 miles north-east of Dolgellau, with a population of 1,980...
before being appointed Professor of Philosophy of Religion
Philosophy of religion
Philosophy of religion is a branch of philosophy concerned with questions regarding religion, including the nature and existence of God, the examination of religious experience, analysis of religious language and texts, and the relationship of religion and science...
at the United Theological College Aberystwyth
United Theological College Aberystwyth
The United Theological College located in Aberystwyth, in the county of Ceredigion in mid Wales was the ministerial training college of the Presbyterian Church of Wales and an associate college of the University of Wales...
in 1953.
His 1973 book Faith Facing Facts was originally a Pantyfedwen Trust Lecture. It was followed a year later by Faith Facts History Science and How They Fit Together. In 1979 he succeeded Rev. Prof. S. I. Enoch
Samuel Ifor Enoch
The Rev. Professor Samuel Ifor Enoch MA , was Professor of New Testament Studies and Principal of the Presbyterian United Theological College Aberystwyth in Wales.-Early life:...
as Principal of the United Theological College in Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
.
With his wife he had two sons, one of whom is Dr. Stephen Nantlais Williams, Professor of Systematic Theology
Systematic theology
In the context of Christianity, systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that attempts to formulate an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs...
at Union Theological College
Union Theological College
Union Theological College is the theological college for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and is situated in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was established in 1853 as Assembly's College. The building served as the location for the early Northern Ireland Parliaments.The college offers a full range...
in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
.
Selected Publications
- Williams, Rheinallt Nantlais Faith Facing Facts Coverdale House Publishers Ltd., London (1973)
- Williams, Rheinallt Nantlais Faith Facts History Science and How They Fit Together Tyndale House Publishers (1974) ISBN 0842308393