H.J.M. Turner was educated at Cambridge University, and then at Manchester University from where he received his Ph.D. in 1985. He was ordained Deacon in 1950 and priest in 1951. He has held parochial appointments in the Church of England from 1963-67. He was chaplain and lecturer at St. John's College, Palayamkottai, South India and later on the staff of St. Diniol's Library, Hawarden, 1979-86. His current interests include the Church's ministries and the question of vocations.

Besides his importance as a Christian mystic, "St. Symeon - The New Theologian" is a valuable source of information concerning the objectives of a spiritual father and his clients, the kinds of training given by a father to his disciples, and the difficulties encountered in the relationship. These and kindred matters are considered in some detail in this study, which comprises an examination of Symeon's background, his experience as a disciple and a spiritual father and of the teaching he gave in the latter capacity. The author has been able to make use of three letters written by Symeon the texts of which have not yet been published.