David Robinson (bishop)

David Robinson (born January 15, 1923, died December 26, 2012) was an Anglican bishop who served as the Bishop of Woolwich from 1959 to 1974. He was known for his controversial book, Honest to God, published in 1963, which sparked widespread debate about the nature of God and traditional Christian beliefs.

Robinson was educated at Clifton College and Jesus College, Cambridge, where he studied classics and theology. He was ordained as a priest in 1949. Prior to his appointment as Bishop of Woolwich at the relatively young age of 35, he served as a fellow and dean of Clare College, Cambridge, and as a lecturer in New Testament studies.

Honest to God challenged traditional theological concepts such as theism, the transcendence of God, and the traditional understanding of miracles. Robinson argued for a more relational and existential understanding of God, drawing on the works of theologians such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Paul Tillich. The book was both widely praised and heavily criticized, making Robinson a prominent figure in theological discussions of the era.

Following his time as Bishop of Woolwich, Robinson returned to academic life, serving as a fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. He continued to write and lecture on theological topics, although he never again achieved the same level of public notoriety as he did with Honest to God. His other works include The Body, Exploration into God, and But That I Can't Believe!

He was married to Ruth Heitzenrater and had seven children. David Robinson died on December 26, 2012, at the age of 89.