# Stanley P. Saunders

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New Testament scholar

Stanley P. Saunders Occupation New Testament scholar Title Emeritus Professor of New Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary [1] Academic background Alma mater Princeton Theological Seminary Thesis (1990) Academic work Institutions Columbia Theological Seminary Main interests Social justice, creation care

**Stanley P. Saunders** is a [New Testament](/source/New_Testament) scholar, whose particular research interest includes [eschatology](/source/Eschatology), creation and the [Gospel of Matthew](/source/Gospel_of_Matthew).[2] He is also involved in issues of social justice particularly pertaining to the [American criminal justice system](/source/American_criminal_justice_system) and creation care.[3][4]

## Career

Saunders received a B.A. from [San Jose Christian College](/source/San_Jose_Christian_College) (1975), a M.Div. from [Emmanuel School of Religion](/source/Emmanuel_School_of_Religion) (1980) and a Ph.D. from [Princeton Theological Seminary](/source/Princeton_Theological_Seminary) (1990). He began his academic career as an assistant professor of New Testament at [Wartburg Theological Seminary](/source/Wartburg_Theological_Seminary) (1984-1988). He then took the position of assistant professor of New Testament at [Columbia Theological Seminary](/source/Columbia_Theological_Seminary) (1991-1999) and then served as associate professor of New Testament.[2][5]

By 2023, he had retired from teaching and was focusing on restorative justice and writing.[1]

## Thought

In much of Saunders' work he asserts "we usually think that the goal of exegesis is to uncover the meanings in a text. But ‘meaning’ is discovered more in the dialogues that transpire between interpreters, their communities and worlds, the text, the worlds of the text, and the tradition."[6] He is a proponent of the school of biblical interpretation which takes into account all external factors in the current setting, not just the text itself. This has led to an increased emphasis of how scripture engages the contemporary world and its current issues, such as care for the earth and the injustices of the criminal justice system.[7]

## Works

### Books

- Saunders, Stanley P.; [Campbell, Charles L.](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charles_L._Campbell_(academic)&action=edit&redlink=1) (2000). [*The Word on the Street: Performing the Scriptures in the Urban Context*](https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780802843937). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780802843937](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780802843937). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [43445518](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/43445518). [8]

- ——— (2001). *Philippians and Galatians*. Interpretation Bible Studies. Louisville, KY: Geneva Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780664501020](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780664501020). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [46420131](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/46420131).[9]

- ——— (2010). *Preaching the Gospel of Matthew: Proclaiming God's Presence*. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780664229207](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780664229207). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [505423916](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/505423916).[4][10]

### Chapters

- ——— (2000). "Gospel of Matthew". In [Myers, Alan C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alan_C._Myers&action=edit&redlink=1) (ed.). *The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary*. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780802842503](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780802842503). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [256847676](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/256847676).

- ——— (2003). "Revelation and Resistance: Narrative and Worship in John's Apocalypse". In [Green, Joel B.](/source/Joel_B._Green); [Pasquarello, Michael III](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_Pasquarello_III&action=edit&redlink=1) (eds.). *Narrative Reading, Narrative Preaching: Reuniting New Testament Interpretation and Proclamation*. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. pp. 117–150. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780801027215](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780801027215). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1015475103](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1015475103).

- ——— (2005). "Between Blessing and Curse: Reading, Hearing, and Performing the Apocalypse in a World of Terror". In [Yoder, Christine R.](/source/Christine_Roy_Yoder); [Johnson, Beth](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Beth_Johnson_(academic)&action=edit&redlink=1); [O'Connor, Kathleen M.](/source/Kathleen_M._O'Connor) (eds.). *Shaking Heaven and Earth: Essays in Honor of Walter Brueggemann and Charles Cousar*. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press. pp. 141–156. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780664227777](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780664227777). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1025491101](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1025491101).[11]

- ——— (2008). "Introductions and Text Notes for Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians". *The Discipleship Study Bible*. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.

- ——— (2009). "Matthew". In [O’Day, Gail R.](/source/Gail_R._O'Day); [Petersen, David L.](/source/David_L._Petersen) (eds.). *Theological Bible Commentary*. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press. pp. 293–310.

- ——— (2009). "Prophets in the New Testament and Early Church". *New Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible*. Vol. 4. Abingdon Press. pp. 621–622.

- ——— (2009). "Philippians, Letter to the". *New Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible*. Vol. 4. Abingdon Press. pp. 503–507.

- ——— (2008–2011). "Exegetical Essays". In [Taylor, Barbara Brown](/source/Barbara_Brown_Taylor); [Bartlett, David L.](/source/David_L._Bartlett) (eds.). *Feasting on the Word*. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press. - "Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21"; "Mark 9:1-9"; "Mark 1:9-14."

### Edited by

- Editorial Board Member and Contributor to Elizabeth Johnson and Cynthia Jarvis, eds., *Feasting on the Gospels* (Westminster John Knox Press, 2013-).

### Journal articles

- ——— (1979). "Christian Eschatology: the Ground and Impetus for Mission". *Gospel in Context*. **2**: 3–10, 16–17.

- ———; [Bailey, James L.](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=James_L._Bailey&action=edit&redlink=1) (1987). "God's Merciful Community," (with )". *Currents in Theology and Mission*. **14**: 325–333.

- ———; [Cram, Ronald H.](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ronald_H._Cram&action=edit&redlink=1) (1992). "Feet Partly of Iron and Partly of Clay: Pedagogy and the Curriculum of Theological Education," (with)". *Theological Education*. **29**: 21–50.

- ———; [Campbell, Charles L.](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charles_L._Campbell_(academic)&action=edit&redlink=1) (1995). "Anything But Ordinary: Worship and Preaching in Ordinary Time". *Journal for Preachers*. **18** (4): 25–31.

- ———; [Campbell, Charles L.](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charles_L._Campbell_(academic)&action=edit&redlink=1) (1996). "What Does This Mean? What Shall We Do?". *Journal for Preachers*. **19** (4): 3–9.

- ——— (1997). "Discernment on the way to Emmaus: Resurrection Imagination and Practices in Luke 24:13-35," *Journal for Preachers*". **20** (2): 44–49. {{[cite journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_journal)}}: Cite journal requires |journal= ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#missing_periodical)) - (Also published in Campbell and Saunders, *The Word on the Street*)

- ——— (1999). "The Reality of a Present God; Living the Word: Matthew". *Sojourners*. **28** (1): 46–49.

- ——— (1999). "God With Us in Power: Preaching Matthew Missionally". *Journal for Preachers*. **22** (2): 25–30.

- ——— (2000). "Taking It to the Streets". *The Other Side*. **36** (6).

- ——— (2002). "Learning Christ: Eschatology and Spiritual Formation in New Testament Christianity". *Interpretation*. **56** (2): 155–167. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1177/002096430005600204](https://doi.org/10.1177%2F002096430005600204). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [170402730](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:170402730).

- ——— (2005). "Nurturing Hope: Nurturing Faithful Vision Amidst Defeat". *Catalyst*. **31** (4): 1–3.

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-David_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-David_1-1) ["Special Rector's Forum with Dr. Stanley P. Saunders"](https://www.stdavidchurch.org/events-1/special-rectors-forum-with-dr-stanley-p-saunders). *St David’s Church*. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-JWF_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-JWF_2-1) ["Stanley P. Saunders"](https://johnwesleyfellows.org/authors/stanley-p-saunders/). *A Foundation for Theological Education*. Retrieved 16 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Columbia Professors Win Environmental Stewardship Award"](http://seminaryalliance.org/columbia-professors-win-environmental-stewardship-award/). *Seminary Alliance*. Blessed Earth's Seminary Stewardship Alliance.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WP_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WP_4-1) ["Stanley P. Saunders"](https://www.workingpreacher.org/authors/stanley-saunders). *Working Preacher*. Retrieved 16 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Stanley P. Saunders"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161011223510/http://www.ctsnet.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Saunders_Stan_CV2012.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.ctsnet.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Saunders_Stan_CV2012.pdf) (PDF) on 11 October 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** LaGioia, Rock. ["Preaching the Gospel of Matthew: Proclaiming God's Presence"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130812155911/http://c/). The Journal of Christian Ministry. Archived from [the original](http://c/) on 12 August 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Saunders, Stanley P. (29 March 2018). ["Special Rector's Forum with Dr. Stanley P. Saunders"](https://www.ctsnet.edu/at-this-point/toward-deep-christian-ecology/). *Columbia Theological Seminary*. Retrieved 16 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["The Word on the Street"](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-word-on-the-street-stanley-p-saunders/1120283293). *Barnes and Noble*. Retrieved 16 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Gallaher Branch, Robin. ["Philippians and Galatians"](http://www.bookreviews.org/pdf/1992_886.pdf) (PDF). *Book Reviews*. Society of Biblical Literature.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Gilbert Bartholomew, Adam. ["Preaching the Gospel of Matthew - Review"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287430201). *Research Gate*. Homiletic.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Gallaher Branch, Robin. ["Shaking Heaven and Earth: Essays in Honor of Walter Brueggemann and Charles B. Cousar"](https://web.archive.org/web/20061015065228/http://www.bookreviews.org/pdf/4861_5059.pdf) (PDF). *Book Reviews*. Society of Biblical Literature. Archived from [the original](http://www.bookreviews.org/pdf/4861_5059.pdf) (PDF) on 15 October 2006. Retrieved 29 February 2016.

## External links

- ["Stanley P. Saunders faculty page"](https://www.ctsnet.edu/faculty/saunders-stanley/). Retrieved 1 November 2018.

- [Outcry: Faith Voices Against Gun Violence](https://web.archive.org/web/20160305230454/http://www.outcrygeorgia.org/theological-statement/)

- [Teach-in On Capital Punishment and the Church](https://web.archive.org/web/20160306081846/https://columbiaconnections.org/2015/05/01/teach-in-on-capital-punishment-and-the-church/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Stanley P. Saunders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_P._Saunders) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_P._Saunders?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.