About

david-and-lesley-petersonI have been married to Lesley for almost 50 years now. We have three sons, Mark, Chris and Daniel, all of whom are married, and six grandchildren. I am still teaching on a part-time basis at Moore Theological College in Sydney, writing new books, and participating in an introductory course on preaching called Cornhill Sydney.

From 1996 to 2007, I was the Principal of Oak Hill Theological College, London, where I lectured in Biblical Studies and Worship. In 2004 I became a visiting professor at Middlesex University, which is the validating university for Oak Hill’s degrees.

I have an M.A. from the University of Sydney, a B.D. from the University of London, and a Ph.D. from the University of Manchester.

I am an ordained minister of the Anglican Church of Australia, and have served in churches in the dioceses of Sydney, Chester, and London. I continue to enjoy teaching opportunities in many countries around the world.

25 responses to “About”

  1. Francis Avatar
    Francis

    I am very much confused about the categories placed on the writings of Luke (Luke and Acts) taking or debating on Acts as history or theology and even the fact of the genre of acts. What is this all about? Is Acts not one of the inspired books of the bible? Why all these genre, history and theology debate by scholars?

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    1. David Peterson Avatar

      God spoke through human authors, who used different literary styles, with different characteristics. The more we understand these, the more clearly we will be able to see why and how the books were written and understand their messages better.

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  2. Dr. Jerry Parks Avatar
    Dr. Jerry Parks

    Dr. Peterson:
    Have thoroughly enjoyed studying and teaching from your Acts commentary. I have found it without equal.
    I especially enjoyed the discussion of Julia Drusilla, wife of Felix in Acts 24.

    I noted, on the Internet, a recent find of a house/restaurant in the ruins of Pompeii. It was named ‘the house of Julia Felix’. Think perhaps
    this was Drusilla’s end of life endeavor?

    God bless you, sir.

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    1. David Peterson Avatar

      Thanks for your positive comment about the Acts commentary Jerry. Of course it is possible that Julia Drusilla became known as JuLia Felix and ended up in Pompei. It would be even more interesting to know whether she ever took serious note of what Paul said to her and Felix about Jesus and the gospel!

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  3. Chris Lawson Avatar

    Hey David!

    My name is Chris Lawson and I run a media organization called Everyday Exiles. At EE we have a podcast network and I would love to interview you on one of our platforms if you are available! Our tribe has really enjoyed your work, Possessed by God, and we would love to have you on one of our podcast to discuss! Can we make it happen?!

    You can find more information about our organization at:
    http://www.EverydayExiles.com
    http://www.Facebook.com/EverydayExiles

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    1. David Peterson Avatar

      Hi Chris. I’m really sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your post. I would be happy to talk about a podcast if you try to make contact again (david@davidgpeterson.com).

      Like

  4. Markus Zobec Avatar

    Dear Professor Peterson! I am writing my DMin thesis on “Preparation for worship service” (well, in short :)). In Carson’s “Worship by the book” (2002) he quotes your Article “Worship in the New Testament”, page 65 in his book “Worship: Adoration and Acton” on page 84. The quote is: “Those who are concerned about God-honouring worship will be preoccupied with bringing people to Christ.” However, I cannot find this sentence in your article. Would you be so kind to help pointing me in the right direction) Thank you! Markus

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    1. David Peterson Avatar

      I’m sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your request Markus. I think that quote broadly summarizes what I say more fully in Engaging with God (towards the end of chapters 8 and 9) and in Encountering God Together. But I’m sorry I cannot direct you precisely to the right spot.

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  5. Darwin Jordan Avatar

    Dr. Peterson, I am presently sharing the task of preaching through Acts with my Associate Pastor. I cannot say enough about your commentary. I just read carefully text and notes on Stephen (6.8 – 7.60). So rich, so penetrating so full of the glory of God. I did a SS class a few years back on The Book of Revelation, using many excellent commentaries, but but depending on Beale (naturally) for incredible in-depth analysis of John’s use of the OT. I came to admire John in a whole new way because of it. I have come to a similar admiration of Stephen because of your wonderful insights, showing almost word-for-word how Stephen carefully set forth his indictment and proclamation of the glory of Christ. I’m really weak-kneed after studying the Stephen account. Just wanted to express my gratitude for what I know is a lifetime of study, meditation and synthesizing Biblical theology. God is greatly enriching me through your teaching. Thank you and praise our glorious, risen Lord Jesus Christ whom we are allowed to proclaim to the glory of God!

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    1. David Peterson Avatar

      Thanks you so much Darwin. I really appreciate your comment, especially since I have just started writing a commentary on Luke!

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  6. David McKay Avatar
    David McKay

    Hello Dr Peterson
    I was reading Sandy Grant’s interview with you in which your book Transformed by God was discussed. I can’t find a source for the book anywhere. Do you know of one, or do you have copies available to sell? Thanks for your help

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    1. David Peterson Avatar

      David, this book was published by IVP UK in 2012 and then by IVP Academic in the USA. It should still be available through the former at least. If you don’t have any success in getting a copy through these publishers, I have a spare copy that I could make available to you.

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  7. Erik Avatar
    Erik

    Dr. Peterson, I’ve really enjoyed listening to your sermons, are there some churches you have regularly preached at where I can find more recordings of your preaching?

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  8. Erik Rome Avatar
    Erik Rome

    Dr. Peterson, I have greatly enjoyed listening to your preaching, and am looking for more of your sermons. Are there any churches in particular you have done a fair amount of preaching at?

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  9. Ryan Geer Avatar
    Ryan Geer

    A couple years ago, I read your book “Transformed By God” in the NSBT series and was immensely helped by it. Recently, I picked up “Changed Into His Likeness” by J. Gary Millar (in the same series)–a book that quotes you favorably but seems to have quite a different emphasis. As I continue to work through the biblical ideas of “sanctification” and personal change, I have a couple questions that I’d love to ask you related to what Millar says in his book. Is it possible to email privately?

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  10. Eduardo Prado Avatar
    Eduardo Prado

    Dear Professor Peterson:

    I am Eduardo Prado, I attend a Presbyterian Church in my city, Querétaro, in Mexico. I hope you are well when you receive this message.

    The reason for this email is to ask you a question about the translation/interpretation of one clause in Acts 11.26 (“and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.” RSV). I have checked several commentaries and Bible versions, both in English and Spanish. There was one particular interpretation that departs significantly from the rest. It would not be surprising if it had been proposed by someone who does not know the original language and the exegetical methods, but, as you will see, it was an eminent patrologist and scholar in early Christianity who said the following:

    The means by which the name “Christian” came into use in Acts 11:26 – whether given by pagans (not likely by Jews) or chosen by Christians (whether through Paul and Barnabas or others) – is disputed, but Luke’s use of the verb often used for a divine oracle (chrêmatizo) may indicate that he wanted to suggest that, whoever first employed the name, its use carried divine approval or authorization.
    Everett Ferguson, The Church of Christ, A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996) p. 102.

    My question for you is: How would you explain why this understanding of Acts 11.26 is valid or invalid /likely or unlikely? Professor Fergusson seems to take the meaning of “oracle” which sometimes is implied in the Greek verb and applies it here. Nowadays almost nobody else does that, why?

    I hope you have time and opportunity to answer my inquiry.

    Blessings,

    Eduardo Prado

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    1. David Peterson Avatar

      Eduardo, I follow C. K. Barrett in his commentary on Acts (1994, pp. 555-56), when he argues that chrêmatizo in 11:26 means ‘to take and bear a title or name, to be called or styled so and so.’ The context does not require or support any idea that this involved a divine oracle. It is likely that the disciples were first called Christians by outsiders, who needed to distinguish them from Jews and pagans. The name Christianoi most likely meant ‘belonging to Christ’ or ‘identified with the Christ’.

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  11. Eduardo Prado Avatar
    Eduardo Prado

    Dear Professor Peterson:

    I placed a comment this weekend here, but it was really a question for you about one verse in the book of Acts (11:26). I noticed it was waiting moderation.

    If you prefer to answer privately, you can send me an email.

    Blessings,

    Eduardo Prado

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  12. David Peterson Avatar

    Sorry it has taken me a while to respond. I will do so as a reply to your first post.

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  13. Eduardo Prado Avatar
    Eduardo Prado

    Dear Professor Peterson:

    Thank you for your clear response. I had the chance to check Barrett’s commentary, which helped a lot. I think now it is clear to me that, in ordinary life, one does not mix semantic domains (the way Professor Fergusson did) taking one meaning for a word and then mixing it with a clearly different meaning the same word has. Only a special interest can explain why a person does such a thing. The denomination Dr. Ferguson belongs to has a long tradition of considering the title “Christian” as a God-given name, and this verse from the Bible has been their favourite verse for that purpose. I think Professor Ferguson deserves recognition for his erudition, but this is just another case when even a distinguished scholar cannot escape his own theological bias.

    Blessings,

    Eduardo Prado

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  14. Jason Edwards Avatar
    Jason Edwards

    Besides your commentary on Romans which is on my list to acquire but also wanted your opinion on some other Roman commentaries you would highly recommend.

    Thanks!

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    1. David Peterson Avatar

      I would certainly recommend Moo (NICNT), Kruse (PNTC) and Schreiner (BECNT), all of which have excellent insights.

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