Published on September 18, 2026 by Neal Embry  
GeraldBray

Gerald Bray, research professor at Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School, recently received the Lanfranc Award for Education and Scholarship, awarded by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the senior bishop of the Church of England.

The award is one of the Lambeth Awards given each year by the Archbishop of Canterbury to recognize outstanding achievement in various fields among Anglicans, especially in the Church of England. Past recipients of the Lanfranc Award include Malcolm Guite, a noted author, poet and speaker, among other scholars.

The citation recognizes Bray’s “lifetime of outstanding theological research and teaching of the Anglican faith, particularly his expertise in historical theology and canon law.”

Bray has served at Beeson since 1993 and taught church history, historical theology and systematic theology for nearly a half-century. Since 2006, Bray has served as Beeson’s research professor. He has written numerous books and articles and has spoken on theological issues.

“Both history and theology have always been of great interest to me, and I can honestly say that I have been privileged to be able to do something I love for my entire academic career,” Bray said.

Much of Bray’s writing focuses on making manuscript material available in print, in edited editions, and in providing textbooks for students and others. Being at Beeson has provided the “perfect environment” for Bray to develop his writing and research.

“I have been able to teach subjects that I have been researching and been given both the time and the encouragement to undertake work that will lay a solid foundation for the writing and research of others in the future,” Bray said. “My great hope is that all this will help to establish Beeson as a recognized center for Anglican studies as we develop a program in that area.”

Beeson Dean Douglas A. Sweeney said the Lanfranc Award is well-deserved for one of Beeson’s most senior scholars.

“Dr. Bray has spent many years serving the Lord through scholarship and first-rate classroom teaching,” Sweeney said. “We are tremendously proud of him.”

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,522 students from 46 states, Puerto Rico and 12 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 35 Most Beautiful College Campuses, Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.