Johnny Lai

Thesis title: Reading Oliver O’Donovan’s Theology of ‘The Common Good’ in the Context of Hong Kong

Background

I am from Hong Kong and currently a PhD researcher at the University of Edinburgh working on a thesis "Reading Oliver O'Donovan's Theology of 'The Common Good' in the Context of Hong Kong".

I obtained my bachelor's degree in mathematics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. I studied a Master of Divinity at China Graduate School of Theology. I completed a MTh Theology in History at University of Edinburgh in 2023. Before coming to Edinburgh, I worked as a minister at Abounding Grace Baptist Church and had three-year teaching experience in local secondary schools in Hong Kong.

Qualifications

BSc - Mathematics Chinese University of Hong Kong (2009)

PGdip - Education  University of Hong Kong (2010)

Master of Divinity China Graduate School of Theology (2016)

MTh - Theology in History (Distinction) University of Edinburgh (2023)

Responsibilities & affiliations

PG Convener 2024-25 Society for the Study of Christian Ethics

Undergraduate teaching

2024-25 Tutor - DIVI08026 – The God(s) of the Philosophers: Proposals and Problems

Research summary

Christian Ethics, Political Theology, Contemporary Systematic Theology

Current research interests

Christian Ethics in Oliver O'Donovan's thought, Theologies arisen in the context of Hong Kong

Organiser

2024: Postgraduate Forum at SSCE annual conference (5th Sept): Studying Ethics with Social Media. Speakers: Robert Song, Rachel Muers and Anthony Reddie. 

Papers delivered

2024: Postgraduate Colloquium (7th June): Hauerwas in dilemma? Analysing two strands of political theology in Hong Kong which employ Hauerwas’ social ethic.

2024: Scottish Universities Biblical Studies Postgraduate Day Conference (3rd June): An evaluative study of theological interpretation of Ezekiel 14:1-11 through conversing with traumatic reading

2024: The Society for the Study of Christian Ethics postgraduate Conference (22nd-23rd March):  ‘We Are What We Eat’: Towards A Theology of Eating as a Respectful Communion of Peoples