The new book, Lloyd Geering: Prophet or Heretic? revisits the historic 1967 heresy trial of Sir Lloyd Geering as the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
As the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand begins its 2025 General Assembly from the 20th October 2025, the newly published book Lloyd Geering: Prophet or Heretic? re-examines one of the most significant moments in the Church’s history – the 1967 heresy trial of Reverand Professor Sir Lloyd Geering. It also details the decision made in 1970, when the press was out of hearing, that reversed the 1967 decision and censored the Professor, dissociating itself from him.
Written by Jim Veitch, former Associate Professor in Religious Studies at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, the book revisits the 1967 trial of Reverend Professor Sir Lloyd Geering, who was formally charged by the Church with heresy for his progressive theological views. The case became famous because it was the last heresy trial ever held in NZ and Geering was ultimately acquitted.
However, just a few years later in 1970, the Presbyterian Church censored him for remarks made in a TV interview in Brisbane, Australia with a new ‘dissociation’ decision – essentially an official statement reaffirming the very doctrines that Geering had been accused of denying. In so doing, the Church was effectively re-asserting the same theological positions it had challenged him over, thereby reversing the spirit of the 1967 acquittal.
Author of this new book, Prophet or Heretic? Jim Veitch argues that this 1970 move – which happened with Geering present but never given a chance to respond – amounted to a “miscarriage of justice.”
The 1967 trial was held in Christchurch at the same church that hosted this 2025th year’s General Assembly, marked a watershed in New Zealand’s religious and cultural life, sparking national debate just on sixty years ago, about faith, freedom, and modern biblical interpretation.
“This book presents Geering as many of his students remember him: a man of his time, trying to see a way for the future, openly and honestly. Times and approaches change but Jim Veitch makes clear the price the churches have had to pay for their attempts to sweep the issues under the carpet of business as usual.” – Simon H Rae,Principal Emeritus of the Theological Hall, Knox College, Dunedin
Lloyd Geering: Prophet or Heretic? traces the personalities, divisions, and lasting impact of the trial, and of the subsequent hearing some three years later, situating the clash within broader questions of how Christianity engages with contemporary thought. Drawing on archival materials and first-hand accounts, Veitch presents a vivid portrait of Geering as a man of courage and conviction – and invites readers to reflect on how the same questions of belief and expression continue to shape the Church today.
In the opening service of the 2025 General Assembly, members were asked to affirm their faith by reciting the words and doctrines of the Nicean creed of 325-318 CE and the new moderator specifically affirmed, in the conclusion of his address, one of the key doctrines questioned in 1967. It would appear that the words of the creed and its doctrines challenged by Geering in the 1960s continue to trouble the Presbyterian church of the 21st Century.
Lloyd Geering: Prophet or Heretic? is available from Hedley’s Books, Masterton or online at www.booksonline.co.nz/geering