David Edward Jenkins (born
1925) is best known under the title of "Bishop of Durham" which he held from
1984 until
1994. Born in
Bromley, Kent[?], Jenkins had been a lecturer in theology at the
University of Oxford and had worked for the
World Council of Churches and the
William Temple[?] Foundation before his controversial appointment. He had written numerous books on Christian
theology, and had been Professor at the
University of Leeds from
1979 until 1984.
The controversy over his selection as Bishop of Durham centred on his alleged unconventional beliefs and his misquoted statement that the Resurrection was "not just a conjuring trick with bones". In the year of his consecration as bishop, York Minster was struck by lightning, resulting in a disastrous fire which was seen by some as a sign of divine displeasure.