Michael J. Kruger

Michael J. Kruger
Occupations
  • New Testament scholar
  • Presbyterian minister
SpouseMelissa B. Kruger
Academic background
Education
ThesisThe Gospel of the Savior: An Analysis of P.Oxy. 840 and Its Place in the Gospel Traditions of Early Christianity (2004)
Doctoral advisorLarry W. Hurtado
Academic work
DisciplineBiblical studies
InstitutionsReformed Theological Seminary
Main interestsNew Testament canon
Notable works
  • The Heresy of Orthodoxy: How Contemporary Culture's Fascination with Diversity Has Reshaped Our Understanding of Early Christianity (2010)[1][a]
  • Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the New Testament Books (2012)[2]
  • The Question of Canon: Challenging the Status Quo in the New Testament Debate (2013)[3]
Websitemichaeljkruger.com

Michael J. Kruger is an American Reformed New Testament scholar[4] and the Samuel C. Patterson Chancellor's Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary. He served as President of RTS-Charlotte from 2013-2025.[5] In 2025 he left the office of President and transitioned to the role of Chancellor’s Professor where he will teach at multiple RTS campuses.[6] He was first ordained and spent many years as a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America. In 2021 he transferred his ministerial credentials to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.[7]

Education

Kruger obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill followed by an M. Div. from Westminster Seminary California. His doctoral studies were at the University of Edinburgh where his advisor was Larry Hurtado.[8] His dissertation is a study of P.Oxy. 840.[9]

Career

During the 2009-2010 academic year, Kruger was a visiting scholar at Saint Edmund's College, Cambridge. In 2019, Kruger served as president of the Evangelical Theological Society.[10]

Thought and research

Kruger's work focuses on the Canon of the New Testament, particularly how the Christian church has historically understood which books belong in the Bible.[9]

Works

  • Kruger, Michael J. (2005). The Gospel of the Savior : an Analysis of P. Oxy. 840 and its Place in the Gospel Traditions of Early Christianity. Leiden [u.a.]: Brill. ISBN 978-9004143937.
  • Kraus, Thomas J.; Kruger, Michael J.; Nicklas, Tobias, eds. (2009). Gospel fragments. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0199208159.
  • Köstenberger, Andreas J.; Kruger, Michael J. (2010). The heresy of orthodoxy : how contemporary culture's fascination with diversity has reshaped our understanding of early Christianity. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway. ISBN 978-1433501432.
  • Hill, Charles E.; Kruger, Michael J., eds. (2012). The early text of the New Testament (1st ed.). Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0199566365.
  • Kruger, Michael J. (2012). Canon revisited : establishing the origins and authority of the New Testament books. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway. ISBN 978-1433505003.
  • Kruger, Michael J. (2013). The question of Canon : challenging the status quo in the New Testament debate. Downers Grove, Ill., USA: IVP Academic, InterVarsity Press. ISBN 978-0830840311.
  • Kruger, Michael J., ed. (2016). A biblical-theological introduction to the New Testament: the gospel realized. Wheaton, Ill., USA: Crossway. ISBN 978-1433536762.
  • Kruger, Michael J. (2018). Christianity at the crossroads : how the second century shaped the future of the church. Downers Grove, Ill., USA: IVP Academic, InterVarsity Press. ISBN 978-0830852031.
  • Kruger, Michael J. (2019). The Ten Commandments of Progressive Christianity. Minneapolis: Cruciform Press. ISBN 978-1949253214.

Notes

  1. ^ Co-authored with Andreas J. Köstenberger.

References

  1. ^ Köstenberger, Andreas J.; Kruger, Michael J. (June 30, 2010). The Heresy of Orthodoxy: How Contemporary Culture's Fascination with Diversity Has Reshaped Our Understanding of Early Christianity. Wheaton, IL: Crossway. ISBN 978-1-4335-0143-2. Archived from the original on July 6, 2025.
  2. ^ Kruger, Michael J. (April 30, 2012). Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the New Testament Books. Wheaton, IL: Crossway. ISBN 978-1-4335-0500-3. Archived from the original on July 6, 2025.
  3. ^ Kruger, Michael J. (October 3, 2013). The Question of Canon: Challenging the Status Quo in the New Testament Debate. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic. ISBN 978-0-8308-4031-1. Archived from the original on July 6, 2025.
  4. ^ Monroe, Joshua R. (November 15, 2016). "Interview with Michael J. Kruger". Books At a Glance. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  5. ^ "Professor Michael J. Kruger named President of RTS Charlotte". theaquilareport.com. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
  6. ^ "Dr. Michael Kruger Appointed Chancellor's Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity". Reformed Theological Seminary. 2025-02-11. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
  7. ^ 98th Stated Meeting of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of the Mid-Atlantic, April 24, 2021
  8. ^ "About Michael J. Kruger". RTS. Archived from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Interview with Brian Auten". Apologetics 315. Archived from the original on 25 June 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  10. ^ Thigpen, Bonnie (2020). "ETS Past Presidents". Evangelical Theological Society. Retrieved March 16, 2025.