Richard Longenecker

Richard N. Longenecker
Born(1930-07-21)July 21, 1930
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
DiedJune 7, 2021(2021-06-07) (aged 90)
Brantford, Ontario, Canada
NationalityAmerican
OccupationNew Testament academic
TitleDistinguished Professor of New Testament at McMaster Divinity College
SpouseFrances Lee Wilson Longenecker
ChildrenBeth Lougheed, Dave Longenecker, Bruce Longenecker
Academic background
EducationUniversity of Edinburgh, Wheaton College
Alma materUniversity of Edinburgh (PhD)
Doctoral advisorJames S. Stewart
Academic work
DisciplineBiblical studies
Sub-disciplineNew Testament studies
InstitutionsUniversity of Toronto
McMaster Divinity College
Main interestsPauline Studies
Notable worksCommentary on Romans, Paul Apostle of Liberty, Commentary on Galatians
Richard Longenecker in 2016

Richard N. Longenecker (July 21, 1930 – June 7, 2021) was a New Testament scholar. He held teaching positions at Wheaton College and Graduate School (1954-57; 1960-63); Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (1963-72); Wycliffe College (Toronto, 1972-94, from which he received an honorary doctorate in 1996); University of St. Michael’s College (Toronto, 1976-78); and McMaster Divinity College (Hamilton, 1994-2001). His education included B.A. and M.A. degrees from Wheaton College, and a Ph.D. from New College in the University of Edinburgh.

Longenecker is the author of numerous books and over fifty published articles in scholarly and professional journals. In Paul Apostle of Liberty (1964), he proposed views that would only later become mainstream in academic scholarship — such as the covenantal character of Jewish obedience to the Torah, and the importance to Paul’s theology of the phrase “the faithfulness of Christ.” Other important books include his commentary on Galatians (1990), Introducing Romans (2011) and his commentary on Romans (2016).

In 1994, a Festschrift was published in his honor. Gospel in Paul: Studies on Corinthians, Galatians and Romans for Richard N. Longenecker included contributions from Linda Belleville, Terry Donaldson, James Dunn, Gordon Fee, Walter Hansen, John Hurd, Margaret Mitchell, Peter Richardson, Klyne Snodgrass, and N.T. Wright.