Wayne A. Grudem (born 1948) is a New Testament scholar turned theologian, seminary
professor
Professor (commonly abbreviated as Prof.) is an academic rank at universities and other post-secondary education and research institutions in most countries. Literally, ''professor'' derives from Latin as a "person who professes". Professo ...
, and author. He co-founded the
Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) is an evangelical Christian organization promoting a complementarian view of gender issues. According to its website, the "mission of The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood is to set for ...
and served as the general editor of the ''
ESV Study Bible
The ''ESV Study Bible'' (abbreviated as ESVSB) is a study Bible published by Crossway. It features the text of the English Standard Version, along with study notes from a perspective of "classic evangelical orthodoxy, in the historic stream of t ...
''.
Life
Grudem was born on February 11, 1948, in
Jim Falls,
Wisconsin
Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...
. As a child, he attended First Baptist Church in
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Eau Claire (; ) (French for "clear water") is a city mostly located in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, of which it is the county seat, and with a small portion in Chippewa County, Wisconsin. It had a population of 69,421 in 2020, making it the stat ...
.
He holds a
BA in
economics
Economics () is the social science that studies the Production (economics), production, distribution (economics), distribution, and Consumption (economics), consumption of goods and services.
Economics focuses on the behaviour and intera ...
from
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher le ...
, an
MDiv
For graduate-level theological institutions, the Master of Divinity (MDiv, ''magister divinitatis'' in Latin) is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America. It is the most common academic degree in seminaries and div ...
and
D.D.
A Doctor of Divinity (D.D. or DDiv; la, Doctor Divinitatis) is the holder of an advanced academic degree in divinity.
In the United Kingdom, it is considered an advanced doctoral degree. At the University of Oxford, doctors of divinity are ra ...
from
Westminster Theological Seminary
Westminster Theological Seminary is a Protestant theological seminary in the Reformed theological tradition in Glenside, Pennsylvania. It was founded by members of the faculty of Princeton Theological Seminary in 1929 after Princeton chose to ...
, and a
PhD in New Testament studies from the
University of Cambridge
, mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts.
Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.
, established =
, other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...
. In 2001, Grudem became Research Professor of
Theology
Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of analyzing the ...
and
Biblical Studies
Biblical studies is the academic application of a set of diverse disciplines to the study of the Bible (the Old Testament and New Testament).''Introduction to Biblical Studies, Second Edition'' by Steve Moyise (Oct 27, 2004) pages 11–12 Fo ...
at
Phoenix Seminary
Phoenix Seminary is an interdenominational Evangelical Christian seminary in Scottsdale, Arizona.
History
It was founded in 1988 as a branch campus of Western Seminary and became independent in 2004.
Academics
Phoenix Seminary is accredite ...
. Prior to that, he had taught for 20 years at
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) is an academic divinity school founded in 1897 and located in the northern Chicago suburb of Deerfield, Illinois. It is part of and located on the main campus of Trinity International University. It ...
, where he was chairman of the department of
biblical
The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts of a ...
and
systematic theology
Systematic theology, or systematics, is a discipline of Christian theology that formulates an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the doctrines of the Christian faith. It addresses issues such as what the Bible teaches about certain topic ...
.
Grudem served on the committee overseeing the
English Standard Version translation of the
Bible
The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts of a ...
, and from 2005 to 2008 he served as general editor for the 2.1-million-word ''
ESV Study Bible
The ''ESV Study Bible'' (abbreviated as ESVSB) is a study Bible published by Crossway. It features the text of the English Standard Version, along with study notes from a perspective of "classic evangelical orthodoxy, in the historic stream of t ...
'' (which was named "2009 Christian Book of the Year" by the
Evangelical Christian Publishers Association
The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade association
A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association, sector association or industry body, is an organizati ...
). In 1999 he was the president of the
Evangelical Theological Society
The Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) is a professional society of Biblical scholars, educators, pastors, and students "devoted to the inerrancy and inspiration of the Scriptures and the gospel of Jesus Christ" and "dedicated to the oral exch ...
.
Grudem announced having been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease on December 22, 2015.
On July 28, 2016, Grudem published an opinion piece on ''
Townhall
Townhall is an American politically conservative website, print magazine and radio news service. Previously published by The Heritage Foundation, it is now owned and operated by Salem Communications. The website features more than 80 columns (b ...
'' called "Why Voting for Donald Trump Is a Morally Good Choice". On October 9, the piece was retracted and replaced with one entitled "Trump's Moral Character and the Election". On October 19, the original piece was reinstated and another piece was published, entitled "If You Don't Like Either Candidate, Then Vote for Trump's Policies". Grudem endorsed Trump for re-election in 2020.
In 2018, a ''
Festschrift
In academia, a ''Festschrift'' (; plural, ''Festschriften'' ) is a book honoring a respected person, especially an academic, and presented during their lifetime. It generally takes the form of an edited volume, containing contributions from the h ...
'' was published in his honor. ''Scripture and the People of God: Essays in Honor of Wayne Grudem'' included contributions from
John M. Frame,
R. Kent Hughes
R. Kent Hughes (born March 1, 1942) is the former senior pastor of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, United States. Hughes is the author of numerous books, including the best-selling ''Disciplines of a Godly Man''. He is also editor and contrib ...
,
Ray Ortlund,
John Piper,
Vern Poythress
Vern Sheridan Poythress (born 1946) is an American philosopher, theologian, New Testament scholar and mathematician, who is currently the New Testament chair of the ESV Oversight Committee. He is also the Professor of New Testament Interpretation ...
,
Leland Ryken
Leland Ryken (born May 17, 1942) is professor of English emeritus at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He has contributed a number of works to the study of classic literature from the Christian perspective, including editing the comprehensive ...
,
Thomas R. Schreiner
Thomas R. Schreiner (born April 24, 1954) is an American Reformed New Testament scholar. He is the James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He previously taught at Bethel U ...
, and
Bruce A. Ware
Bruce A. Ware (born September 30, 1953) is an American theologian, former president of the Evangelical Theological Society, and a key figure in the debate over open theism.
Education
*A.S. (1973) Judson Baptist College
*Certif. (1974) Capernwr ...
.
Theology
He is the author of multiple books, including ''
Systematic Theology
Systematic theology, or systematics, is a discipline of Christian theology that formulates an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the doctrines of the Christian faith. It addresses issues such as what the Bible teaches about certain topic ...
: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine'', which advocates a
Calvinistic
Calvinism (also called the Reformed Tradition, Reformed Protestantism, Reformed Christianity, or simply Reformed) is a major branch of Protestantism that follows the theological tradition and forms of Christian practice set down by John Ca ...
soteriology
Soteriology (; el, σωτηρία ' "salvation" from σωτήρ ' "savior, preserver" and λόγος ' "study" or "word") is the study of religious doctrines of salvation. Salvation theory occupies a place of special significance in many religion ...
, the verbal plenary
inspiration and
inerrancy
Biblical inerrancy is the belief that the Bible "is without error or fault in all its teaching"; or, at least, that "Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact". Some equate inerrancy with biblical i ...
of the Bible,
believer’s baptism, a plural-elder form of church government, and the
complementarian
Complementarianism is a theological view in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, that men and women have different but ''complementary'' roles and responsibilities in marriage, family life, and religious leadership. The word "complementary" and i ...
view of
gender
Gender is the range of characteristics pertaining to femininity and masculinity and differentiating between them. Depending on the context, this may include sex-based social structures (i.e. gender roles) and gender identity. Most cultures u ...
relationships. ''Systematic Theology'' is a highly influential theology textbook that has sold hundreds of thousands of copies. Grudem holds to
noncessationist beliefs and was at one time a qualified supporter of the
Vineyard Movement.
Grudem and
Bruce A. Ware
Bruce A. Ware (born September 30, 1953) is an American theologian, former president of the Evangelical Theological Society, and a key figure in the debate over open theism.
Education
*A.S. (1973) Judson Baptist College
*Certif. (1974) Capernwr ...
were at the center of Trinitarian debate in 2016 that began online and culminated in print publications. Both Grudem and Ware subscribe to a view of the Trinity called "eternal relations of submission and authority" or "eternal functional subordination" which claims that the Son is eternally submissive to the Father. Their view was challenged by some scholars that the Son only submits to the Father in the incarnation according to his human nature.
Grudem is also a co-founder and past president of the
Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) is an evangelical Christian organization promoting a complementarian view of gender issues. According to its website, the "mission of The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood is to set for ...
.
He also edited ''
Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
''Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism'' (or ''RBMW'') is a collection of articles on gender roles, written from an Evangelicalism, evangelical perspective, and edited by John Piper (theologian), John Piper ...
'', ''
Christianity Today
''Christianity Today'' is an evangelical Christian media magazine founded in 1956 by Billy Graham. It is published by Christianity Today International based in Carol Stream, Illinois. ''The Washington Post'' calls ''Christianity Today'' "evange ...
s "Book of the Year" in 1992, with
John Piper.
All of Grudem's research on gender-related issues is now contained in his major 2012 reference work, ''Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth: An Analysis of More Than One Hundred Disputed Questions''.
Grudem's view of gender claims that according to Bible, men and women are equal in nature and dignity but operate within a hierarchy in which the husband is the head of the wife.
Works
In recent years, Grudem's publications have focused on the application of the ethical teachings of the Bible to broader areas of the culture including government and economics.
Books
*
*
*
*
* A condensed version of ''Systematic Theology''.
*
*
* . Second edition
Crossway, 2012.
*
* Revised and condensed edition of ''Bible Doctrine''.
*
*
*
*
* Condensed extract from ''Politics — According to the Bible''.
* Condensed extract from ''Politics — According to the Bible''
*
*
*
*
*
As editor
*
*
*
*
*
Articles and chapters
*
*
*
Video courses
* ''Christian Beliefs DVD Discipleship Course''
Journals
* ''Biblical Foundations for Manhood and Womanhood'' (editor)
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grudem, Wayne
1948 births
20th-century Calvinist and Reformed theologians
21st-century Calvinist and Reformed theologians
Alumni of the University of Cambridge
American Calvinist and Reformed theologians
American Charismatics
American evangelicals
Christian Old Earth creationists
Harvard College alumni
Living people
Members of the Evangelical Free Church of America
People from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Systematic theologians
Trinity International University faculty
Westminster Theological Seminary alumni