Rev Hector Morrison
Principal and Lecturer in Old Testament
I have been involved in HTC since its inauguration in 1994, having previously been a Church of Scotland parish minister for 14 years. I hold a BSc in Mathematics, a BD (Hons) and an MTh (Research), all from Glasgow University, and I also have a PGCert in ICT and Learning from the University of Aberdeen. In the early years of HTC I was responsible for teaching all biblical studies modules including Hebrew and Greek Grammars. As the staff complement increased my focus turned mainly to the Old Testament. Since becoming Principal of HTC in 2009 my teaching load has reduced as leadership and administrative responsibilities have increased. I am now responsible for the Pentateuch and OT Prophecy modules on the BA (Hons) Theological Studies programme and teach occasionally in other areas as required.
I have a particular interest in Biblical Theology and when time permits I am chipping away at writing proposed books on The River of God and The Fatherhood of God in the Old Testament. Other biblical theological themes that I explore from time to time are ‘The Glory of God’ and ‘The Mountain of God’. Having been minister of the parish of Barvas on the Isle of Lewis, scene of several religious revivals, I also have an interest in the History of Revival and try to do a little research on aspects of this from time to time.
I came into college from the pastoral preaching ministry and still love nothing more than to be found teaching and preaching the Scriptures whether in college, evening classes, teaching days and weekends, or in churches. Normally I preach on two or three Sundays a month across a variety of denominations. I also have a desire to see God’s Kingdom come in all the nations and have a particular interest in encouraging theological education at every level in former Soviet nations. Over recent years I have taught a number of intensive short courses in the Czech Republic, Moldova, Romania and other countries. I have also spoken at a number of Ministries Schools in Australia.
To date I have jointly supervised PhD theses on Canonical Interpretations of the Song of Songs, The Emotion of Joy and the Rhetoric of Reversal in Luke-Acts: A Socio-Rhetorical Study, and Men of One Book: A Comparison of two Methodist Preachers, John Wesley and George Whitefield, and am currently jointly supervising research on David and Davidic Typology in the Gospel of Matthew.
As one-time Programme Leader for the BA open learning degree, most of my academic writing has been taken up with authoring what were originally open learning packs and as technology advanced became web-based materials for BA modules in Pentateuch, Former Prophets, OT Prophecy, Exegesis of Galatians, Hebrew Texts, Amos (Hebrew Text); OT Themes and Greek Texts 3. In addition I have written a number of book reviews in The Rutherford House Journal of Ministry, Evangel, the Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology, and Evangelical Quarterly.
I have memberships in: the Scottish Evangelical Theology Society, the Tyndale Fellowship for Biblical Research, the Higher Education Academy, and the Gaelic Society of Inverness. I also continue to be actively involved in the Church of Scotland Presbytery of Inverness.
"Hector is the best and most inspiring lecturer because he guides the students really well to what they have to learn, and is passionate about his subjects. I have had his lectures for three subjects and they have all been helpful. Also he does not just lecture and leave you to get on with it. He encourages in the tutor marked assignments (which do not go to the final mark) in feedback in a way that is informative and constructively helpful. His marking of the essays is also very fulsome and helps not to make the same mistake. There is enough interaction in the class and the reading required is always necessary as there is discussion on much of it which makes a student sure to prepare. Paper handouts of the course topics are also a great guide as to what to study for exam and essay etc. He is very balanced in his approach and seems to take a personal interest in students. How he does all this while running a college is phenomenal."
(Nomination by student for UHI Most Inspiring Lecturer award)