A theologian circumventing the mud is much liked (7)
I believe the answer is:
admired
'much liked' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with human feelings as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'a theologian circumventing the mud' is the wordplay.
'theologian' becomes 'DD' (Doctor of Divinity degree).
'circumventing' indicates putting letters inside (I've seen this in other clues).
'the mud' becomes 'mire' (I've seen this in another clue).
'dd' placed around 'mire' is 'dmired'.
'a'+'dmired'='ADMIRED'
'is' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for admired that I've seen before include "Thought highly of" , "Held in high regard" , "Esteemed" , "applauded" , "Popular" .)