Andrew Purves is a native of Edinburgh, Scotland. He received his M.A. from the University of Edinburgh majoring in philosophy. He continued his studies at New College, of the same university, where he received his B.D. with honors in divinity (philosophical theology) and Duke University Divinity School where he was awarded his Th.M. His Ph.D. (1978) was awarded by the University of Edinburgh with a dual concentration in theology and pastoral theology. Dr. Purves spent part of 1977 at the University of Tübingen in Germany.

Dr. Purves was licensed to the ministry of the Word of God by the Presbytery of Edinburgh in 1978. Dr. Purves came to the United States in 1978 where he was ordained to the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament by the Presbytery of Philadelphia. He received a call to serve as the pastor of the Hebron Presbyterian Church, Clinton, Pennsylvania. In 1984 he was called to the faculty of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, where he was installed in the Hugh Thomson Kerr Chair of Pastoral Theology in May, 1995. His title is Hugh Thomson Kerr Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology.

"Andrew Purves has established himself across the Presbyterian Church as a passionate communicator of theology (theology means "God-words"). To Dr. Purves, theology is not merely an academic exercise (though his academic training as a doctoral student of Professor Thomas Torrance is impeccable!), but is the communication of "a word about God" that is intended to change lives. I know of few pastors and teachers who can do this as well as Dr. Purves." - Dr. David Renwick

Dr. Purves has an abiding concern for theological and spiritual renewal in the Church, and is active in speaking at conferences, leading workshops and retreats, and preaching.

Dr. Purves is married to The Reverend Catherine J. Purves, minister, Hoboken Presbyterian Church, Blawox, Pennsylvania. They have three children, Brendan, Gordon, and Laura.

Dr. Purves has published Search for Compassion, and has recently completed a manuscript on the holiness of God and the transformation of the Church.