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Anders Runesson, Associate Professor of Early Christianity and Early Judaism, came to McMaster in 2003 from Lund University, Sweden, where he had defended his Ph.D. in 2001 and taught introductory courses in New Testament Exegesis and Interreligious Dialogue. His research interests centres around the New Testament and Early Judaism, with a focus on especially inter- and intra religious relationships within and between these groups in the wider context of the Roman Empire. An expert on the nature and origins of the ancient synagogue as well as the Gospel of Matthew and Christian origins, his publications include studies on Matthean theology and community history, Paul, Women leadership in early Christ-believing communities, and identity formation in the early centuries of the Common Era. Recent books include The Origins of the Synagogue: A Socio-Historical Study (2001), which traces the beginnings of this ancient institution in the land of Israel as well as in the Diaspora. Jesus and the First Christians: An Introduction to the Study of the New Testament (2006; together with Dieter Mitternacht) represents an innovative rethinking of introductory literature, combining refined traditional New Testament fields of research with in-depth treatment of recent methodological developments exemplified through interpretations of specific passages. The Ancient Synagogue: From its Origins to 200 CE. A Source Book (2008; together with Donald D. Binder and Birger Olsson) is the first ever published comprehensive collection of archaeological remains, inscriptions, papyri, and literary sources pertaining to the synagogue. Ongoing projects include a monograph on The Gospel of Matthew and the Myth of Christian Origins (a project sponsored by the Social-Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada [SSHRC]). Runesson’s interest in contextual theology (he was president of the Institute for Contextual Theology, Sweden, 1999-2000, 2002-2004) has resulted in an edited volume, Why Do you Look Towards Heaven? Challenges from Contextual Theology (2005; together with Torbjörn Sjöholm). He has also been involved in inter-religious dialogue for many years (among other responsibilities as president of the Southern Swedish branch of the International Council of Christians and Jews, ICCJ, 2001-2003, and as editor of its journal Jewish-Christian Dialogue 1996-1997). He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), Svenska Exegetiska Sällskapet, and Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas (SNTS). He is the co-organiser (together with Eve-Marie Becker, Aarhus University, Denmark) of the Mark and Matthew – Texts and Contexts conferences (click here for information on the 2008 Aarhus event, and click here for the November 2009 McMaster event). Runesson has yet to come up with a good definition of ‘spare time,’ but he does enjoy long distance running and the outdoors.

Academic Background

B.A. (Jewish Studies), M.Div., M.A. (Religious Studies), Lic. Theol. (New Testament Exegesis), Ph.D. (New Testament Exegesis), Docent (approx. Dr. Habil., New Testament Exegesis), Lund University, Sweden.