by Stephen Presley • 3 minutes
The Rev. Dr. Richard Turnbull passed away on November 26, 2025, after a brief battle with terminal cancer. His death marks the loss of a remarkable Christian leader, scholar, and advocate for faith-based engagement with many different institutions.
Remembering his legacy, First Liberty President Kelly Shackleford said, “Richard was a fighter in the cause for religious liberty in the UK, we were blessed to have him on our team and join us in that struggle here in America. His work left a lasting impact on so many lives, but most importantly he always blessed those around him.”
“He will be sorely missed,” Kelly added.
Richard’s journey to faith began during his university years at Reading, where he studied economics and accounting. After graduation, he served as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst and Young. Coming from a non-Christian home, he converted to Christianity while at university, which sparked a lifelong passion for ministry to young people.
Sensing a call to ordained ministry in the Church of England, Richard pursued theological education at Cranmer Hall in Durham, earning a first-class honors degree and later a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Durham. His ministry took him to Southampton and then to Christ Church Chineham, where he served as a beloved Christian leader.
In 2005, Richard was appointed Principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, one of the major evangelical theological colleges at the venerable university. For seven years, he led this institution with wisdom through a period of rapid change. Alongside his pastoral gifts, Richard distinguished himself as an exceptional academic, serving as a member of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
“C.S. Lewis famously said that ‘My hope is that when I die, all Hell rejoices that I am out of the fight,’” said First Liberty Executive Vice President Jeff Mateer. “Hell is no doubt rejoicing at the death of Richard Turnbull.” Continuing to reflect on First Liberty’s relationship with Richard, Jeff says, “he made an eternal impact on the lives of many of us. He was the very best of men, who lived a life of significance as a passionate follower of Christ, scholar, pastor, devoted husband, loving father, and loyal friend. We will dearly miss him but earnestly seek to follow in the Godly example he set for us.”
Richard authored several significant books including a biography of Anthony Ashley Cooper, the Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury (Shaftesbury: The Great Reformer), a history of the 18th-century English revival (Reviving the Heart) and an influential account of evangelical spirituality (A Passionate Faith). He also served as chairman of the Christian Institute, a religious think tank that has made significant contributions to debates on life issues and sexuality in the United Kingdom.
After leaving Wycliffe, Richard helped found the Centre for Enterprise, Markets and Ethics (CEME), serving as its first director for 12 years until his retirement in 2025. The Centre’s mission is to bridge theology, economics, and business to promote an enterprise economy built on solid ethical foundations. His patient, faithful work established CEME as a respected voice equipping business, church, and policy leaders with faith-based economic perspectives.
Jordan Ballor, Executive Director of First Liberty’s Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy, says, “Richard Turnbull represented the best of what we hope to accomplish through the work of the CRCD. He was an ideal mentor, friend, scholar, and churchman. His loss is immense but we know that his legacy continues through the students and fellows he has influenced and the impact he made on his friends and colleagues.”
We were blessed to have Richard as part of our First Liberty family. He was an active participant in our student programs and regularly delivered lectures on Christian history or issues of religious liberty facing the UK and elsewhere. Among his work with our student programs, Richard was known for his famous “pen portraits” that provided historical snapshots of Christians who were influential in the public square. He was an engaging lecturer, a devout Christian, and had an infectious laugh that inspired and encouraged many.
To honor Richard’s legacy, First Liberty’s Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy will host the inaugural Richard Turnbull Lecture on May 20 at Christ Church in Plano, Texas. Richard will be deeply missed, but we cherish the time we shared with him. May he rest in peace.
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