Dr Bill Dumbrell, long time lecturer and former Vice-Principal of Moore College, has died.

He passed away in Sydney on Saturday 1 October. 

Tributes have been paid to Dr Dumbrell, his work and influence. "A great saint has entered glory." said Archbishop Davies, who is overseas attending the Global South Meeting in Cairo.

"Bill Dumbrell was a gifted Christian man, a devoted husband and father, an outstanding scholar, a humble servant of the Scriptures, an inspiring teacher, a capable administrator, a gracious colleague, and a true friend. The Church of God and we especially in Sydney are in his debt for encouraging generations of students to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and to proclaim the kingdom of God with passion and conviction." Archbishop Davies said.

Dr Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore and one of Dr Dumbrell's students, said “Bill Dumbrell has been a teacher, mentor and friend to many. His enormous impact as a biblical exegete, theologian and minister of the gospel is felt throughout the world. Those of us who have had the privilege of being taught by him have much for which we can thank God."

According to the biography on the Moore College site, Dr William J Dumbrell was born in 1926, was converted when he was twenty-five in 1951 and began his studies at Moore Theological College four years later, and took out a BD externally from the University of London with First Class Honours in 1961. He later earned an MTh from the same university in 1966 and a ThD from Harvard University in 1970. He was ordained in 1956 and served in churches in Parramatta and Ermington before lecturing at Moore College from 1963–66. Upon his return from Harvard, he lectured at Moore College in Old Testament from 1971 to 1984 and was Vice Principal from 1975–84. He then taught at Regent College, Vancouver, from 1984–88, before returning to teach at Moore College from 1988–1994. Bill and Norma then left for missionary service in Singapore, where Bill taught at Trinity College. Bill has been a prolific author of books and articles, including Covenant and Creation: An Old Testament Covenantal Theology (Exeter: Paternoster, 1984; 2nd edn 2013); The Faith of Israel: Its Expression in the Books of the Old Testament (Leicester: IVP, 1988; 2nd edn 2002); and The Search for Order: Biblical Eschatology in Focus (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994). HE is survived by his wife Norma and his adult children, David, Ian, Grace, Naomi, and 6 grandchildren.

"Alongside his highly respected contributions in the area of Old Testament studies, his theological acuity more generally, and his sense of humour and unique personality, his commitment above all else to the Lord Jesus and his gospel will leave an enduring mark on all of us. His prayerful interest in, and deep love of Moore College, right from those early days as a student through his time as Vice Principal in the 70s and 80s and into his retirement, was undoubted. It was most definitely reciprocated. If there were such a thing as a ‘Number One Borrower’ card at the Moore College library, it would undoubtedly be held by Bill. At the time of his call home to be with the Lord he had been a dearly loved and respected member of the Moore College community for more than sixty years." Dr Thompson said.

Also paying tribute was Dr Paul Barnett, Former Bishop of North Sydney and Emeritus Faculty member at Moore.

“Like many others, I owe a great debt of gratitude to Bill Dumbrell." Dr Barnett said. "He was my first teacher of Greek and later as Dean of Regent College, Vancouver extended the invitation that began a thirty-year association with that distinguished hall of learning.  Bill was a clever and good man, a devoted servant of Jesus.”

Former Archbishop and Principal of Moore, Dr Peter Jensen preached at Dr Dumbrell's funeral held at St Philip's Caringbah, on Wednesday 5 October. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Moore College library.