Dieter Mitternacht

In the late 1970's Dieter Mitternacht moved from South-west Germany to Sweden. He and his wife Gun have three children, Simon, Mirjam and Lydia. Dieter pursued his doctoral studies in New Testament Studies, first under professor Birger Gerhardsson, then under professor Birger Olsson and received his doctoral degree in 1999. From 1999 to 2007 he was a scientific researcher at Lund University and received his Docent degree in 2007. After over a decade of research and teaching at Lund University, the couple moved to Hongkong as employees of the Church of Sweden. Since January of 2009 Dieter teaches New Testament and Early Christianity at Lutheran Theological Seminary, Hong Kong.

Research interests: Jesus movement; ancient synagogue; early communities of Christ-followers; Pauline Christianity; rhetorical, psychological and narratological perspectives and approaches.

Teaching: New Testament Studies, Biblical Studies, Hermeneutics, Bible and Culture, History of Christianity, at Lund University, Göteborg University, Växjö University and Örebro Theological Seminary, Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Lutheran Theological Seminary in Hong Kong, Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou.

Academic qualifications

• 1986: Dipl. Theol., Örebro Theological Seminary
• 1988: Th. M. Biblical Studies, Bethel Theological Seminary, St Paul
• 1996: Ph. M. Science of Religion, Lund University
• 1999: Dr Th. New Testament Studies, Lund University
• 2007: Docent (venia legendi) New Testament Studies, Lund University

Career history

• 1999 – 2003: Member of research project The Ancient Synagogue: Birthplace for Two World Religions at Lund University, funded by The Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation
• 2000 – 2003: Individual research project Social Cognition and Strategies of Persuasion in Pauline Letters at Lund University, funded by the Swedish Council of Research
• 2003 – 2006: Member of research project Christian Identity - The First 100 Years at Lund University, funded by the Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation
• 2003 – 2008: Senior researcher/assoc. professor at Lund and Göteborg Universities
• 2009 – : Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Lutheran Theological Seminary, Hong Kong

Professional memberships

• Member of Society of Biblical Literature
• Member of Exegetical Society of Sweden
• Member of Swedish Bible Academy

Pedagogical interests

• Coordinator of pedagogical development for ICT teachers in Humanities and Theology at Lund University, Sweden (2003-2006).
• Erasmus exchange lecturer at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Spring of 2005).
• Co-author with Birger Olsson of a teaching manual in Elementary NT Greek (translation of title: From Alpha to Omega. Getting to know the New Testament in Greek and Swedish) [details here].
• Co-author and editor with Anders Runesson (McMaster University, Canada) of comprehensive textbook in New Testament studies, involving 18 Swedish speaking NT Scholars (translation of title: Jesus and the first Christians. Introduction to the New Testament) [details here].
• Development of ICT-based courses and resources for New Testament studies and German language studies at Lund University.

Awards, grants and research appointments

• 1986-1988: Joint research grant awarded by Örebro Theological Seminary and Bethel Theological Seminary for Masters studies.
• 1994-1988: Stipend and appointment for doctoral studies by the Faculty of Theology, Lund University.
• 1997: Pfannenstil Fond research grant for doctoral research at Heidelberg University, awarded by the Faculty of Theology, Lund University.
• 1999-2001: Research appointment for postdoctoral studies by the Swedish Council of Research.
• 2000-2006: Research appointments in several research projects.
• 2003-2007: Senior researcher and lecturer appointment at Lund University in recognition of previous research.
• 2002: Research grant from Crafoordska stiftelsen.
• 2004: Research grant from Krookska fonden for research at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greeece.