Bruce Longenecker Appointment at Baylor University

Mikeal Parsons asked me to post this announcement here, and I am happy to do so. It is also available as a Word document here.

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Baylor University is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Bruce Longenecker to the W. W. Melton Chair in the Department of Religion. Dr. Longenecker currently serves as a Senior Lecturer in New Testament Studies at St. Mary’s College, University of St. Andrews, Scotland. He received his B.A. degree from Wheaton College, M.Rel. from Wycliffe College, University of Toronto, and Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Durham, England. Prior to teaching at St. Andrews, Dr. Longenecker taught at Cranmer Hall with St. John’s College in Durham, England, and in the Faculty of Divinity, the University of Cambridge, England. He is the author or editor of eight books and numerous scholarly articles.

Dr. Bill Bellinger, chair of Baylor’s Religion Department, said, “We are delighted to have Dr. Bruce Longenecker join our faculty. He is a devoted churchman, an accomplished scholar, and a seasoned teacher, and he is a wonderful addition to our department as we seek to fulfill the University’s vision of excellence in teaching and scholarship.” Interim Baylor President, David Garland likewise praised the appointment, “I have long admired Dr. Bruce Longenecker’s scholarship in the service of the church. He is the embodiment of Baylor’s twin commitments to the life of the mind and the life of faith, and we are very pleased to welcome him to the Baylor family.” About his election to the Baylor Faculty, Dr. Longenecker commented: “It is a privilege to be joining the Baylor team. Baylor University has won international respect for its distinguished upward trajectory, placing academic excellence at the heart of a holistic Christian liberal arts program. I look forward to the dynamic exchange of ideas that Baylor cultivates, and my family and I are eager to become actively involved in the wider Waco community.”

Distinguished colleagues in the field of New Testament scholarship have lauded the appointment. “Dr. Longenecker is an increasingly visible figure in the field of international New Testament scholarship. He will bring significant strengths to Baylor’s already excellent faculty,” commented Dr. Richard Hays, George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament at Duke Divinity School. Dr. Beverly Gaventa, Helen H.P. Manson Professor of New Testament Literature and Exegesis at Princeton Theological Seminary, agreed: “Bruce Longenecker will be a genuine asset to Baylor’s already strong program. This is a splendid appointment for Baylor, both at the undergraduate and graduate level.” Dr. James D.G. Dunn, Emeritus Lightfoot Professor of Divinity, University of Durham said, “Dr. Longenecker’s research and publication record over the past few years can match any other in his field of whatever rank and experience. Given his growing range of mastery in several New Testament fields his appeal to would-be postgraduates and at the international level is bound to increase.” Dr. Markus Bockmuehl, Professor of Biblical and Early Christian Studies at Oxford University, observed: “Much as he will undoubtedly be missed in the UK, for Baylor to appoint Bruce Longenecker to a senior chair is a timely challenge and opportunity for him, and will clearly be seen as an appropriate recognition of his gifts by colleagues on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Dr. Longenecker is married to Fiona Bond, a graduate of the University of Durham, who has distinguished herself in strategic management of non-profit ventures (educational, artistic, religious, social and governmental). They have two sons: Callum (7) and Torrin (4). Dr. Longenecker will join the faculty in the Fall, 2009.