Grace Christian University, United States
Prof. Dr. Phillip J. Long
Professor of Biblical Studies
School of Ministry, Theology and Biblical Studies
Official Profile: Reading Acts – Phillip J. Long
Expertise: New Testament; Second Temple Judaism; Historical Jesus; Pauline Studies; Acts; Biblical Theology; Biblical Interpretation; Early Christianity; Jewish Background of the New Testament.
Member of Editorial Board of European Hebrew Journal
CURRICULUM VITAE
Academic Profile
Prof. Dr. Phillip J. Long is Professor of Biblical Studies at Grace Christian University. Throughout his academic career he has taught New Testament, biblical interpretation, Second Temple Judaism, and early Christian history while contributing extensively to evangelical biblical scholarship.
His research focuses on the Jewish background of the New Testament, the historical Jesus, Acts, Pauline literature, and Second Temple Judaism. He is widely known for making current biblical scholarship accessible to both academic and general audiences through his teaching, publications, and the widely read academic website Reading Acts.
In addition to his university teaching, Prof. Long has served as editor of the Journal of Grace Theology and has contributed numerous scholarly articles, book reviews, and conference papers in the fields of biblical studies and early Christianity.
QUALIFICATIONS
B.A., Grace Bible College.
M.A. in Biblical Exposition, Biola University.
M.A. in Old Testament, Biola University.
Ph.D. in New Testament, Andrews University.
ACADEMIC POSITIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
Professor of Biblical Studies, Grace Christian University.
Former Chair, Biblical Studies Division.
Editor, Journal of Grace Theology.
Pastor of Teaching, Rush Creek Bible Church.
Interim Pastor at churches in Michigan and California.
RESEARCH
Prof. Long’s research investigates the New Testament within its Jewish and Greco-Roman context. His work explores the relationship between Second Temple Judaism and early Christianity, with particular attention to the Gospels, Acts, Pauline literature, and Jewish apocalyptic traditions.
A significant aspect of his scholarship examines the historical Jesus, messianic expectations, biblical theology, and the interpretation of Scripture in both Jewish and Christian traditions.
He has also written extensively on biblical hermeneutics, the Book of Enoch, Galatians, Acts, and the origins of Christian theology.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
New Testament
Second Temple Judaism
Historical Jesus
Acts
Pauline Studies
Biblical Theology
Biblical Interpretation
Jewish Background of Christianity
Apocalyptic Literature
Book of Enoch
Early Christianity
Hermeneutics
ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
Editor, Journal of Grace Theology.
Regular presenter at biblical studies conferences.
Author of the academic website Reading Acts.
PUBLICATIONS
Selected Publications
Jesus the Bridegroom: The Origin of the Eschatological Feast as a Wedding Banquet in the Synoptic Gospels. Pickwick Publications, 2013.
Galatians: Freedom Through God’s Grace. Wipf & Stock, 2019.
The Book of Enoch for Beginners. Rockridge Press, 2022.
Numerous scholarly articles and book reviews on New Testament studies, Second Temple Judaism, Acts, Pauline literature, and biblical theology.
Regular contributions to Journal of Grace Theology and other academic publications.