Interview with Andreas Köstenberger

This week’s interview is with Dr. Andreas Köstenberger of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also the editor of the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society and author of titles such as the commentary on John from the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. My thanks go out to Dr. Köstenberger for his willingness to be a part of this interview series.

First, tell us a little about yourself.

I serve as professor of New Testament and biblical theology and director of Ph.D. studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

What is your favorite passage of Scripture?

The Gospel of John, especially John 3:16 and 20:21.

Can you divulge any information on any new publication or project on which you are working?

B&H just published The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown: An Introduction to the New Testament (co-authored with Scott Kellum and Charles Quarles). This is a thorough survey of the history, literature, and theology of the New Testament in almost 1,000 pages. Later on this fall Zondervan will publish The Theology of John’s Gospel and Letters, the inaugural volume in the Biblical Theology of the New Testament (BTNT) series (future volumes will be authored by Darrell Bock, Doug Moo, and others). This is a sequel to my BECNT commentary on John’s Gospel and a treatment of the major theological themes in John’s Gospel and letters. Next spring, Lord willing, 3 more books will come out: the second edition of God, Marriage, and Family (Crossway), Entrusted with the Gospel in the NAC monograph series (co-edited with Terry Wilder; B&H), and The Heresy of Orthodoxy (co-authored with Michael Kruger; Crossway). Many of my articles, essays, and book reviews are posted on my website: www.biblicalfoundations.org. I also have a Spanish website: www.fundamentosbiblicos.com.

If there is one author/theologian that you believe everyone should read, who is it?

Adolf Schlatter. I had the privilege of translating his two-volume New Testament theology (The History of the Christ and The Theology of the Apostles, both by Baker) and co-translated his final work, Do We Know Jesus? (Kregel; with Robert Yarbrough).

What areas do you think New Testament scholars will have to focus on in the next ten years?

Biblical theology and hermeneutics. Personally, I am very excited about the BTNT series which will cover the entire New Testament in 8 volumes.

Where do you believe are the best places for a student to study the New Testament either as an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral student?

In large part, this depends on your field and mentor. We are certainly open for business here at Southeastern, where I serve as director of Ph.D. studies. We have a growing, vibrant program and offer a large number of concentrations, including Biblical Theology, Hermeneutics, North American Church Planting, and many more. Just this semester we host Ph.D. colloquia with Dan Wallace and Kevin Vanhoozer. You can check out our website, www.sebts.edu/phd.

Lastly, if there is one piece of advice you could give to someone entering New Testament scholarship, what would it be?

Stay humble, be devoted to your wife and your family, and get involved in your local church.

Thanks again, Dr. Köstenberger for taking part in this interview. Remember, if any one of you would like to see a particular NT scholar featured here, let me know and I will do what I can.

MSE