Rt Rev John Austin Baker
1928-2014

Series: John Baker (1928-2014)

Rt. Rev. John Austin Baker was an esteemed Church of England bishop, theologian, and author. Educated at Marlborough College and Oriel College, Oxford (M.A., M.Litt.), he was ordained in 1955. He began his ministry teaching and serving as a curate before moving into academia—lecturing at Cuddesdon and later becoming Fellow and Chaplain at Corpus Christi College, Oxford (1959–1973).

In 1973, he was appointed Residential Canon of Westminster Abbey and served concurrently as Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, later becoming Rector of St Margaret’s, Westminster. Consecrated Bishop of Salisbury on 2 February 1982, he led the diocese until his retirement in 1993.

Bishop Baker was renowned for his theological writings—his seminal works include The Foolishness of God (1970), Prophecy in the Church (1976), and The Whole Family of God (1981)—and served as chair of the Church of England Doctrine Commission in the mid-1980s. He also contributed significantly to the World Council of Churches Faith and Order Commission.

A deeply reflective thinker and pastor, he engaged church and society on issues such as nuclear ethics, animal welfare, and sexuality. He continued writing and serving as Honorary Assistant Bishop in Winchester (1994–2014), remaining active in theological discourse until his death on 4 June 2014.

Documents authored by Rt Rev John Austin Baker