Russell Jefford
Russell earns a living in IT and runs the OrdinaryTheology.com website.
Over time he's developed interests in the two subjects which underpin this website – the history and theology of the Early Church, and the Psychology of Religion. As his interest in these subjects gained momentum he acquired an MA in Patristics from King’s College London followed by another MA in the Psychology of Religion from Heythrop College London.
Importantly, his studies have not been merely academic pursuits but also (trans)formative, and it’s this experience that generates the energy that powers his teaching efforts and the website.
Especially with regard to the writings of the Early (Eastern) Church Fathers he finds much that’s inspirational and of relevance to the contemporary Western Church and is mystified as to why these figures and their thought are not more widely known.
Upcoming Events
October 2026
Pusey House, Oxford
Clement of Alexandria (c.150 – 214 AD) – not to be confused with Clement of Rome – lived and worked in one of the most important cultural, religious & trade centres of the ancient world. …
Sat, October 10, 2026, 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Starting from
£0.00
November 2026
St Mary Magdalen Church, Magdalen Street, Oxford
St Irenaeus of Lyons (c.135 – 200 AD) was one of the earliest theologians of the Early Church, and for him (as with all of them) theology was no academic, dry, abstract “angels on the…
Sat, November 7, 2026, 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Starting from
£0.00
December 2026
/ Reading Group
Advent Reading Group - "On the Incarnation" by St Athanasius
St Mary's Church, Charlbury
A reading group for Advent 2026 meeting to work through the classic text “On the Incarnation” by St Athanasius, examining the event & implications of the Incarnation through the eyes of this key Early Church…
Tuesday 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd December 2026 @ 6 - 7:30pm
Free
/ Study Day
Origen - The Pursuit of the Beautiful Word
Pusey House, Oxford
Origen (c. 185 – 254 AD) was an ascetic scholar, teacher, priest, apologist and prolific author with a prodigious output. He was called upon as a theological trouble-shooter to resolve disputes in the world-wide Church…
Sat, December 12, 2026, 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Starting from
£0.00

