Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Ph.D.

Biography

Dr. Vanhoozer stands among the most influential theologians of his generation, known worldwide for his pioneering work in theological interpretation, hermeneutics, and theological method. The author or editor of more than twenty books—including The Drama of Doctrine, Remythologizing Theology, Faith Speaking Understanding, and First Theology—his scholarship has profoundly shaped contemporary evangelical thought and continues to equip and inspire pastors, students, and scholars across the globe.

Dr. Vanhoozer will be joining Wheaton starting July 2026. He is currently serving as Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he has been a beloved teacher, mentor, and colleague. His appointment marks a welcome return to Wheaton, where he previously served as Blanchard Professor of Theology (2009–12). He has also taught at the University of Edinburgh and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy
Theology/Theological Studies
Cambridge University

Master of Divinity 
Theology/Theological Studies
Westminster Theological Seminary

B.A., Philosophy and Religious Studies
(double major in Philosophy and Religious Studies)
Westmont College

Research Interests

• Systematic theology (methods; norms; sources)
• The nature and development of doctrine; Reformed dogmatics
• Doctrine of God; divine action; providence
• Biblical authority; theological interpretation of Scripture
• Contemporary theology; postmodernity
• Theology and culture; cultural hermeneutics
• Theology and science; philosophy of science
• Paul Ricoeur; analytic and hermeneutical theology; cultural apologetics

Books

• Mere Christian Hermeneutics: Transfiguring What It Means to Read the Bible Theologically
• To Stake a Claim: The Pastor as Public Theologian: Reclaiming a Lost Vision
• Hearers and Doers : A Pastor’s Guide to Making Disciples Through Scripture and Doctrine
• Biblical Authority After Babel : Retrieving the Solas in the Spirit of Mere Protestant Christianity
• Pictures at a Theological Exhibition : Scenes of the Church’s Worship, Witness, and Wisdom
• Theology and the Mirror of Scripture: A Mere Evangelical Account (Studies in Christian Doctrine and Scripture)
• The Pastor as Public Theologian : Reclaiming a Lost Vision
• Faith Speaking Understanding : Performing the Drama of Doctrine
• Five Views on Biblical Inerrancy (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology)
• Remythologizing Theology: Divine Action, Passion, and Authorship
• Transcending Boundaries in Philosophy and Theology: Reason, Meaning and Experience
• Reading Scripture with the Church: Toward a Hermeneutic for Theological Interpretation
• Hermeneutics at the Crossroads (Philosophy of Religion) 
• Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible
• The Drama of Doctrine : A Canonical-Linguistic Approach to Christian Theology
• The Cambridge Companion to Postmodern Theology (Cambridge Companions to Religion)
• First Theology : God, Scripture & Hermeneutics
• Nothing Greater, Nothing Better: Theological Essays on the Love of God
• Guide to Old Testament Theology and Exegesis
• Is There a Meaning in This Text? : The Bible, The Reader, and the Morality of Literary Knowledge
• The Trinity in a Pluralistic Age: Theological Essays on Culture and Religion
• Biblical Narrative in the Philosophy of Paul

Publications

• Biblical Narrative in the Philosophy of Paul Ricoeur, Cambridge University Press, 1990
• Is There a Meaning in this Text? The Bible, the Reader, and the Morality of Literary Knowledge, Zondervan, 1998; Christianity Today Book Award, 1999
• First Theology: God, Scripture, and Hermeneutics, InterVarsity Press, 2002
• The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical-Linguistic Approach to Christian Theology, Westminster John Knox, 2005; Christianity Today Best Theology Book of the Year, 2006
• Remythologizing Theology: Divine Action, Passion and Authorship, Cambridge University Press, 2010
• Hearers and Doers: A Pastor’s Guide to Making Disciples Through Scripture and Doctrine, Lexham Press, 2019
• Mere Christian Hermeneutics: Transfiguring What it Means to Read the Bible Theologically, Zondervan, 2024

Professional Memberships and Activities

• Organizer of the biennial Edinburgh Dogmatics Conference (1993-98)
• Panel on Doctrine, Church of Scotland (1993-97)
• Co-chair, Systematic Theology Group, American Academy of Religion (1994-2003)
• Working Party on the Interpretation of Scripture, Church of Scotland (1995-98)
• Missiology of Western Culture project, epistemology group (1993-97)
• Moderator Scripture Seminar, Center for Theological Understanding, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (2001-06)
• Leader, Calvin College Summer Seminar in Christian Scholarship, “Hermeneutics at the Crossroads” (July 2002)
• Moderator, Kantzer Lectures in Revealed Theology, Carl F. H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding (2006-present)
• Advisory Board member, Center for Catholic-Evangelical Dialogue, University of Dayton (2009-present)
• Consultant, Society for the Advancement of Ecclesial Theology (2010-11) Member, Evangelicals and Catholics Together (2006- )
• Senior Fellow, C. S. Lewis Institute (2016- )
• Drafting Committee Co-Chair, Reforming Catholic Confession (2017)
• Theological Mentor to the Augustine Fellowship, Center for Pastor Theologians (March 2017- )
• Member International Advisory Board, Theologians Without Borders (2019- ) Senior Fellow, Newton House, Oxford (2020- )
• Member, Theology Working Group (Hermeneutics), Lausanne Movement (2023-) Member, Board of Trustees, Westmont College (2024- )
• Member, Editorial Advisory Board of the China Evangelical Graduate School of Theology Journal
• Theology columnist, Outreach magazine (2024- )