Godfrey Noel Vose (23 December 1921 – 2 May 2016)[1] was a Western Australian Baptist minister, the founding principal of Vose Seminary (formerly the Baptist Theological College of Western Australia) and the only Australian appointed as President of the Baptist World Alliance.[2]
Biography edit
In 1963, Noel Vose became the Principal and sole staff member of the Baptist Theological College of Western Australia, a position that he held until 1991.
He was appointed President-General of the Baptist Union of Australia in 1975 and served until 1978.[2][3][4]
In 1985, he became the first and only Australian appointed as President of the Baptist World Alliance, a role that he served in until 1990.[2][4] Between 1989-1992, Vose led the Baptist World Alliance in theological dialogue with the Mennonite World Conference, marking a renewal of conversations between Baptists and Anabaptists that had ended amicably in approximately 1630.
In 1989, his achievements were recognised when he was made a Member of the Order of Australia.[2][4]
On 5 June 1990, his wife Heather Vose died unexpectedly during a visit to the United States.
Upon his retirement as principal in 1991 at 70 years old, Vose founded the Parkerville Baptist Church.[2][4]
In 2008, the Baptist Theological College of Western Australia was re-named Vose Seminary to honour the significant contributions of both Noel Vose, its founding principal, and his wife Heather Vose.[3]
In 2013, Vose published Mena: Daughter of Obedience,[5] a biography about Filumena Weld, based upon the extensive research of his wife, Heather Vose, who died before it could be written.[6] Heather Vose did however provide the title of the biography.[5]
Noel Vose died on 2 May 2016 in Western Australia. He was 94 years old.
Publications edit
Details of books written by Noel Vose:
| Title | Year | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holy Scripture and Holy Spirit | 1983 | ISBN 0647190184 | |
| Focus on faith : a glimpse of Baptist roots | 1986 | ||
| If God so loved : studies in John 1 | 1987 | ISBN 0949654272 | |
| "Mena: Daughter of Obedience" | 2013 | ISBN 9781742584867 | No longer in print |
Awards and achievements edit
- 1989 – Member of the Order of Australia (AM)[2][4]
References edit
- ^ "Vale Baptist Statesman Dr Noel Vose (1921-2016)". The Gospel Coalition | Australia. 3 May 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f Moore, Richard Kingsley; Australia, Baptist Historical Society of Western (2010). Noel Vose : pastor, principal, president. Perth [W.A.] : Baptist Historical Society of Western Australia. ISBN 978-0-9805732-3-7.
- ^ a b "On the shoulders of giants: A tribute to Noel Vose". Brian Harris. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Chapman, Matt, ed. (June 2016). "Noel Vose – a tribute" (PDF). The Advocate. Perth: Baptist Churches Western Australia.
- ^ a b Vose, Noel (2013). Mena : daughter of obedience (Paperback ed.). Crawley, W.A. : UWA Publishing. ISBN 978-1-74258-486-7.
- ^ "Former BWA president Noel Vose has died". Baptist World Alliance. 2 May 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2019.