Bio

Mark Lehman Strauss

University Professor of New Testament

Bethel Seminary San Diego

6116 Arosa Street

San Diego, CA 92115-3902

Office: (619) 325-5221

Mobile: (619) 987-3041

e-mail: m-strauss@bethel.edu

Married to Roxanne; 3 grown children: Daniel, Jamie, Luke 

Ph.D.  University of Aberdeen  New Testament (1992)

M.Div. Th.M. Talbot School of Theology New Testament (1985, ’88)

B.A.  Westmont College Psychology (1982)

• Four Portraits, One Jesus. A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels. Second Edition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2020.
• Leadership in Christian Perspective. Biblical Foundations and Contemporary Perspectives for Servant Leaders. With Justin A. Irving. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2019.
• The Heart of God Teen Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2019. General editor and contributing author.Introducing Jesus. A Short Guide to the Gospels’ History and Message. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018.
•  Introducing Jesus. A Short Guide to the Gospels’ History and Message. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018. 
• Baker Compact Dictionary of Biblical Studies, with Tremper Longman III. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2018.
• The Biblical Greek Companion for Bible Software Users. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016.
• Jesus Behaving Badly. The Puzzling Paradoxes of the Man from Galilee. Downers Grove IL: InterVarsity, 2015.
• Gospel of Mark. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Vol. 2. Grand Rapids: Zondervan; 2014. Nominee for ECPA 2015 Reference book of the year.
• How to Read the Bible in Changing Times. Understanding and Applying God’s Word Today. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011.
• The Gospel of Mark, with Walter Wessel, in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Revised Edition, vol. 9: pp. 671-989. Gen. eds. Tremper Longman III & David E. Garland. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010.
• NLT Study Series: John. Meet God Face to Face, with Gary M. Burge; gen. ed. Sean A. Harrison. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2009. 
• Four Portraits, One Jesus. A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels. Grand Rapids: Zondervan 2007.
• Four Portraits, One Jesus Workbook. Guided Reading Projects and Exercises in the Gospels. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015.
• How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth. A Guide to Understanding and Using Bible Versions, with Gordon D. Fee. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007. 
• The Essential Bible Companion, with John H. Walton and Ted Cooper Jr. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006.
• Truth & Error in the Da Vinci Code. The Facts about Jesus and Christian Origins. San Diego: Alethinos Books, 2006. 
• “Luke,” in The Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Vol. 1, pp. 318-515. Gen. ed., Clinton Arnold; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002. Republished as stand alone volume, 2007.
• Distorting Scripture? The Challenge of Bible Translation and Gender Accuracy. Downers Grove, IL.: InterVarsity, 1998. Rpt. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2011.
• The Davidic Messiah in Luke-Acts. The Promise and its Fulfillment in Lukan Christology. JSNTSup; Sheffield:  Sheffield Academic Press, 1995.

•   “Epistemology and the Spirit in Biblical and Philosophical Perspective,” in Handbook to the Spirit in the Interpretation of Scripture (De Gruyter, forthcoming)
• “Narrowing the Gap: Feedback Loops Using Native Language Consultants to Refine Machine Generated (AI) Translations.” In Faithfully Rendering God’s Word: Artificial Intelligence, Cultural Bias and the Future of Faithful Bible Translation. Eds. Greg Forster and Samuel E. Chiang. Credo House Publishers, 2020.
• “Mark 15:1-39: Liturgy of the Passion,” Mark 16:1-8: Resurrection of the Lord, “1 Corinthians 15:1-11: The Resurrection of the Lord,” in Connections: A Lectionary Commentary, Year B, Volume 1: Westminster John Knox, 2020. 
• “Cultivating Humility in an Age of Celebrity Leaders,” with Justin A. Irving, Influence Magazine; Nov/Dec 2019.
• “A Review of the Christian Standard Bible,” Themelios 44.2 (2019): 258–77.
• “The Problem with ‘Church, Submit to Your Pastor.’ When pushing our agenda keeps us fromempowering others, we miss the point of leadership,” with Justin A. Irving, Christianity Today Pastors. June 21, 2019. https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2019/june-web-exclusives/ problem-with-church-submit-to-your-pastor.html 
• “The Disciples and Discipleship in Mark’s Gospel,” in Following Jesus Christ: The New Testament Message of Discipleship for Today. FS Michael J. Wilkins. Edited by John K. Goodrich & Mark L. Strauss. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2019.
• “Typological Geography and the Progress of the Gospel in Acts,” pp. 1–18 in Lexham Geographical Commentary on Acts through Revelation. Lexham Press, 2019.
• “The Rival King,” Bible Study Magazine, November/December, 2018. 
• “Psalms of Solomon 17 and Mark 12:28–44: The Messiah’s Surprising Identity and Role,” in Ben C. Blackwell, John K. Goodrich, and Jason Maston, eds., Reading Mark in Context: Jesus and Second Temple Judaism. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018.
• “The Evangelism Mandate,” Point Magazine of Converge, May 2018. 
• “Sage Advice: The Joy of Scholarship,” Didaktikos Journal, Vol. 2.1 (July 2018); “Sage Advice: The Joy of Teaching,” Didaktikos Journal, Vol. 2.2 (Sep. 2018); “Sage Advice: The Joy of Mentoring,” Didaktikos Journal, Vol. 2.3 (Nov. 2018); “Sage Advice: The Joy of Ministry,” Didaktikos Journal, Vol. 2.4 (Jan. 2019); “Sage Advice: The Joy of Administration,” Didaktikos Journal, Vol. 2.5 (Mar. 2019).
• “Pedagogy: Making each class an ‘event,’” Didaktikos Journal, Vol. 1.2, March 2018, pp. 32-33.
• “Reading Hebrews,” Discovery Series of Our Daily Bread Ministries,forthcoming.
• “Reading Paul’s Letters,” Discovery Series of Our Daily Bread Ministries,forthcoming
• “Reading the Book of Acts,” Discovery Series of Our Daily Bread Ministries,2018. 
• “Reading the Gospels,” Discovery Series of Our Daily Bread Ministries, 2017. 
• “The Redemption of Fallen Humanity. Theological Anthropology & Mark’s Narrative World,” pp. 83-98 in Jason Maston and Benjamin E. Reynolds, eds., Anthropology and New Testament Theology. Library of New Testament Studies. London et al.: T & T Clark, 2018.
• “Luke: The Gospel of the Savior for Lost People Everywhere,” The Bible Project. https:/thebibleproject.com/blog/luke-gospel-savior-lost-people-everywhere/ 2017
• “John: The Gospel of the Eternal Son Who Reveals the Father,” The Bible Project. https://thebibleproject.com/blog/john-gospel-eternal-son-reveals-father/ 2017
• “Mark: The Gospel of the Servant Messiah,” The Bible Project. https://thebibleproject.com/blog/mark-gospel-servant-messiah/ 2017
• “Matthew: Jesus is the Promised Messiah,” The Bible Project. https://thebibleproject.com/blog/gospel-of-matthew/ 2017
• “Discovering the Old Testament in the Gospels,” in Understanding the Gospels: A Guide for Teaching and Preaching. FS Darrell Bock; Kregel, 2017.
• “Mark’s Passion Narrative,” Bible Study Magazine, March/April, 2017. 
• “The Anti-Disciples,” Bible Study Magazine, May/June, 2016.
• “The Parable of the Prodigal: Start-to-Finish Bible Study,” Bible Study Magazine, May/June, 2014.
• “Christology and Christological Purpose in the Synoptic Gospels: A Study of Unity in Diversity,” pp. 41-62 in Reconsidering the Relationship between Biblical and Systematic Theology in the New Testament. FS R. H. Gundry; eds. Brian Lugioyo, Benjamin Reynolds, Kevin Vanhoozer, Wissenschaftlichee Untersuchungen zum Neuen Teestament 2. Reihe 369; Mohr Siebeck, 2014.
• “Pharisees,” and “Crowds,” in Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Revised Edition. eds., J. Green, J. Brown, N. Perrin; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity; 2013.
• “Gender-language Issues in the NIV 2011. A Response to Vern Poythress,” Westminster Journal of Theology, 2012.
• “Jesus and the Spirit in Biblical and Theological Perspective: Messianic Empowering, Saving Wisdom, and the Limits of Biblical Theology,” pp. 266–84 in The Spirit and Christ in the New Testament & Christian Theology. FS Max Turner; eds. Cornelis Bennema & I. H. Marshall; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2012.
• Various articles in The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook. Ed. J. Daniel Hays and J. Scott Duvall; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011: “An Overview of the Life of Christ,” “What Is a Gospel and Why are there Four Gospels?” “The Inspiration of the Bible,” “The Twelve Disciples of Jesus,” “Jewish Sabbath Observances.” 
• “The Purpose of Luke-Acts. Reaching a Consensus,” pp. 135–150 in New Testament Theology in Light of the Church's Mission: Essays in Honor of I. Howard Marshall. Eds. Ray Van Neste and Jon Laansma; Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2011. 
• “Bible Translation and the Myth of ‘Literal Accuracy’,” Review and Expositor vol. 108 no. 2 (Spring, 2011), 169–193.
• “Lukan Spirituality,” in Dictionary of Christian Spirituality.  Gen. Ed. Glen G. Scorgie; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011.
• “Reflections on Moving beyond the Bible to Theology,” pp. 271-298 in Four Views on Moving Beyond the Bible to Theology. Gen. ed. Gary T. Meadors; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009.
• “Gospels,” in Encyclopedia of Christian Literature. Eds. George Kurian and James Smith. Scarecrow, 2009.
• “Versions of the Bible, English,” in The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible. Rev. ed.; Ed. Moises Silva. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009.
• “What Baptists Believe about the Holy Spirit,” Converge Point, March, 2009.
• “Rolling out the Dead Sea Scrolls,” Heart and Mind, vol. 21, no. 1, Winter 2008, pp. 18-22.
• Introduction and Study Notes for the Gospel of Luke for the NLT Study Bible. Wheaton: Tyndale House, 2008.
• “Is There Such a Thing as a Complegalitarian?” SermonCentral.com 2008
• “A Biblical Perspective on Homosexuality,” with Peter Vogt, Heart and Mind (Spring, 2006). 
• “Introducing the Bible,” “New Testament Theology” and “Acts,” pp. 1-17; 167-76; 207-13 in The IVP Introduction to the Bible. Story, themes, interpretation (ed. Philip Johnston; Downer Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 2006). 
• “Form, Function and the Literal Meaning Fallacy in English Bible Translation,” The Bible Translator, vol. 56 n. 3 (July 2005), 153-168.
• “Understanding Bible Translation.” Introductory essay in the Essential Evangelical Parallel Bible. Ed. John Kohlenberger; Oxford University Press, 2005.
• “Understanding New Testament Translation.” Introductory essay in the Evangelical Parallel Bible. Ed. John Kohlenberger; Oxford University Press, 2003.
• “Current Issues in the Gender-Language Debate. A brief response to Vern Poythress and Wayne Grudem,” in The Challenge of Bible Translation: Communicating God’s Word to the World. Essays in Honor of Ronald F. Youngblood. Eds. Glen G. Scorgie, Mark L. Strauss, Steven M. Voth; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
• “The TNIV Debate. Is this new translation faithful in its treatment of gender?” Christianity Today, Vol. 46, No. 11 (Oct. 7, 2002), 36-45.
• “The TNIV and Gender-Accurate Language,” Light Magazine, July 2002, 12-15.
• “David,” in New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Eds. T. D. Alexander and B. S. Rosner. Leicester, U.K.: Inter-Varsity Press, 2000. 
• “The Inclusive Language Debate: How Should the Bible Be Translated Today?” Christian Research Journal Vol. 22, No. 4, 2000.
• Various articles for Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, ed. David Noel Freedman (“Gabriel,” “Sergius Paulus,” “Claudius Lysias, “Julius,”), 2000.
• “Are Earthquakes Signs of the End Times? A Geological and Biblical Response to an Urban Legend,” Christian Research JournalVol. 21, No. 4; 1999.
• “Linguistic and Hermeneutical Fallacies in the Guidelines Established at the ‘Conference on Gender-Related Language in Scripture’,” JETS 41/2 (June 1998) 239-262.

•  Co-Editor with John K. Goodrich, Following Jesus Christ: The New Testament Message of Discipleship for Today. FS Michael J. Wilkins. Grand Rapids: Kregel, forthcoming.
• General Editor, The Heart of God Student Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker, forthcoming.
• General Editor (New Testament), Teach the Text Commentary Series. Grand Rapids: Baker; 9 volumes released.
• New Testament Editor, Baker Bible Dictionary. Gen. Ed. Tremper Longman III. Grand Rapids: Baker; 2013.
• Associate Editor for Narrative, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary Series. Gen. Ed., Clinton Arnold; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010–2016). Narrative volumes include: Matthew by Grant Osborne; Luke by David Garland; John by Edward (“Mickey”) Klink; Acts by Eckhard Schnabel; Revelation by Buist Fanning.
• Contributing Scholar & New Testament Editor, The Expanded Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2011.
• Associate Editor, The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008; 2011.
• Scholar-Editor for Deepening Life Together Bible Study Curriculum Series. Grand Rapids: Baker & Life Together: 2007-11. Includes volumes and DVD curriculum on “James,” “John,” “Parables,” Romans,” “Sermon on the Mount,” “Paul,” “Praying God’s Way,” Psalms,” “Ruth,” “Fruit of the Spirit,” “Acts,” “Revelation,” “Promises of God,” and “Ephesians.”
• Consulting Editor, QuickNotes, Simplified Bible Commentary Series. 5 volumes. Barbour, 2008.
• General Editor, Remarriage after Divorce. Three Views. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.
• Review and revision of the New Century Version, with Tremper Longman III and Daniel Taylor. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2004-2005.
• Technical Reviewer, The Compete Idiot’s Guide to Mary Magdalene, by Lesa Bellevie. New York: Alpha Books, 2005.
• General Editor, with Glen G. Scorgie and Steven M. Voth, The Challenge of Bible Translation. Communicating God’s Word to the World. Essays in Honor of Ronald F. Youngblood. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

• Video Lectures for Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, forthcoming). 
• Video Lectures for Four Portraits, One Jesus. A Complete Course for the Beginner. 20 Lessons on 3 DVDs (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015). 
• The Jesus of the Gospels. Logos Mobile Education Course, 2015.
• Introducing Bible Translation. Logos Mobile Education Course, 2014.
• The Gospel of Mark. Logos Mobile Education Course, 2014.
• Teacher, Deepening Life Together: Paul. Grand Rapids: Baker & Life Together: 2011.
• Teacher, Deepening Life Together: Psalms. Grand Rapids: Baker & Life Together: 2011.
• Teacher, Deepening Life Together: Parables. Grand Rapids: Baker & Life Together: 2009.
• Teacher, The Forgiveness of Jesus: Six In-depth Studies Connecting the Bible to Life. Deeper Connections. Matt Williams, editor. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. 
• Teacher, The Life of Jesus: Six In-depth Studies Connecting the Bible to Life. Deeper Connections. Matt Williams, editor. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. 
• Teacher, Last Days of Jesus: Six In-depth Studies Connecting the Bible to Life. Deeper Connections. Matt Williams, editor. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. 
• Teacher, Miracles of Jesus: Six In-depth Studies Connecting the Bible to Life. Deeper Connections. Matt Williams, editor. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007. 
• Teacher, The Prayers of Jesus: Six In-depth Studies Connecting the Bible to Life. Deeper Connections. Matt Williams, editor. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007. 
• Teacher, The Parables of Jesus: Six In-depth Studies Connecting the Bible to Life. Deeper Connections Matt Williams, editor. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007. 
• Participant Scholar in multiple Third Millennium Production. 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014)=: Hermeneutics, Gospels, Historical Jesus, Revelation, Hebrews, Biblical Theology, etc.
• Participant in The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel. Revelation Studios, 2007.
• The Bible in 90 Days, with John H. Walton and Ted Cooper, Jr. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.
• What Is Bible Translation? Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006.
• Bible Translation and the TNIV. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006.
• Participant in Discussing the Da Vinci Code, by Lee Strobel and Garry Poole. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006.

• Baker Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words. Baker, in production.
• Critical Introduction to the Gospel of Mark. Zondervan, in production.
• Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Baker; in production.

• Review of Patrick Schreiner, Matthew, Disciple and Scribe. The First Gospel and Its Portrait of Jesus. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2019. BBR
• Review of Richard A. Burridge, Four Ministries, One Jesus: Exploring Your Vocation with the Four Gospels. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2019. JETS 63.1, pp. 190-92.
• Review of Brian J. Wright, Communal Reading in the Time of Jesus. A Window into Early Christian Reading Practices. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2017. JETS  Review of Michael R. Licona. Why Are There Differences in the Gospels? What we can learn from ancient biography. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017. Themelios
• Review of Sarah Harris, The Davidic Shepherd King in the Lukan Narrative. London: Bloomsbury T & T Clark, 2016. JETS
• Review of David L. Balch. Contested Ethnicities and Images: Studies in Acts and Art. WUNT 345. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2015. BBR 27.1
• Review of Francis Watson, The Fourfold Gospel: A Theological Reading of the New Testament Portraits of Jesus (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2016), Themelios
• Review of David A. deSilva. Day of Atonement. A Novel of the Maccabean Revolt (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2015), Themelios 
• Review of Michael F. Bird, The Gospel of the Lord. How the Early Church Wrote the Story of Jesus. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2014, Themelios
• Review of Holly Beers, The Followers of Jesus as the ‘Servant’: Luke’s model from Isaiah for the Disciples in Luke-Acts (London, New Delhi, New York, Sydney: Bloomsbury T & T Clark, 2015); BBR
• Review of Seán Freyne. The Jesus Movement and Its Expansion. Meaning and Mission (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2014), BBR
• Review of Craig Keener, Acts: An Exegetical Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2012–2015). “Keener on the Theology of Acts,” Trinity Journal. 
• Review of Alex Damm, Ancient Rhetoric and The Synoptic Problem. Clarifying Markan Priority. (Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium 252; Leuven, Paris, Walpole, MA: Peeters, 2013), BBR
• Review of Jocelyn McWhirter, Rejected Prophets. Jesus and His Witnesses in Luke-Acts (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2013), JETS  58.1 (March 2015)
• Review of Michael F. Bird, Jesus Is the Christ: The Messianic Testimony of the Gospels. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2012) JETS 57.1 (March 2014).
• Review of David G. Burke, ed., Translation that Openeth the Window: Reflections on the History and Legacy of the King James Bible (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2009), Expository Times, vol. 123 no. 10 (July 2012), 
• Review of The Content and Setting of the Gospel Tradition (edited by Mark Harding and Alanna Nobbs; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010), Themelios. 
• Review of Timothy Wiarda, Interpreting Gospel Narratives. Scenes, People, and Theology (Nashville, Tennessee: B & H Academic, 2010); JETS
• Review of Darrell Bock, Acts (Baker Exegetical Commentary; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007); JETS.
• Review of Joel Marcus. Mark 8–16: A New Translation and Commentary (New Haven & London: Yale University Press, 2009); BBR 20.2, (2010): 271-272.
• Review of James Crossley, The Date of Mark’s Gospel (JSNTSup 266; Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 2004); BBR 18.1 (2008), 150–51.
• Review of Richard N. Longenecker, ed. Contours of Christology in the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005); BBR 17.2 (2007): 372-375.
• Review of Scot McKnight, Jesus and His Death. Historiography, the Historical Jesus, and Atonement Theory (Waco, Texas: Baylor University Press, 2005); BBR. 17.2, (2007): 360-361
• Review of François Bovon, Studies in Early Christianity (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005); BBR 17.1 (2007), 169-70. 
• Review of Reading Luke. Interpretation, Reflection, Formation (eds. Craig G. Bartholomew, Joel B. Green, Anthony C. Thiselton; Scripture and Hermeneutics Series, Volume 6; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005); JETS 49.3 (Sept. 2006), 600-603. 
• Review of Leland Ryken, The Word of God in English. Criteria for Excellence in Bible Translation (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2002); JETS 46.4 (Dec. 2003), 738-740.
• Review of Joseph M. Webb and Robert Kysar, Greek for Preacher (St. Louis, MO: Chalice, 2002); Religious Studies Review, 
• Review of Irina Levinskaya, The Book of Acts in Its Diaspora Setting (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996); JETS 42.2 (June 1999), 363-364.
• Review of Robert Brawley, Text to Text Pours Forth Speech. Voices of Scripture in Luke-Acts (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1995), JETS 42.1 (March 1999), 148-150.
• Review of Moisés Silva, Explorations in Exegetical Method. Galatians as a Test Case (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996), JETS 42.3 (Sept. 1999), 513-514.
• Review of John W. Cooper, Our Father in Heaven. Christian Faith and Inclusive Language for God (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998), Themelios, 25.2 (1999), 91-93
• Review of Holy Bible. New Living Translation (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1996), JETS 40.3 (Sept. ‘97), 459-461.
• Review of Brian S. Rosner, Paul, Scripture & Ethics. A Study of 1 Corinthians 5-7 (Leiden: Brill, 1994), JETS 38.2 (June ‘95), 291-293. 
• Review of George H. Guthrie, The Structure of Hebrews: A Text-Linguistic Analysis (Leiden: Brill, 1994), JETS vol. 38, no. 3 (Sept. ‘95), 450-452.