The other day I was telling my kids about how, many years ago, I used to sit in a pub named the Jolly Judge on cold winter days in Edinburgh, Scotland, tucked up close to a coal-burning fire and talking with my doctoral advisor Larry Hurtado about ancient Christian manuscripts.
We used to spend hours there, just reflecting upon the nature of early Christian texts, the role of the codex and nomina sacra, and how books were read and transmitted in the ancient Roman world.
Even as I told the story, I was reminded of how fortunate I was to study at a place like Edinburgh and with a scholar like Larry. I had all sorts of ideas about what research I wanted to do, and what aspects of early Christianity I wanted to explore. It was an exciting time of anticipation and expectation.
Having now been a faculty member at RTS for 23 years, I’m thankful that I have been able to write extensively about many of these issues I used to discuss with Larry: the NT canon, the transmission of the NT text, the textual-bookish nature of the early Christian movement, and other related topics. In fact, my latest book with Oxford University Press, Miniature Codices in Early Christianity, represents the culmination of many years of this type of research.
But there’s so much more I want to explore, and so little time to do it. Part of the limitation on my time, of course, has been my role as president of the Charlotte campus. When I first became I scholar, I never expected that I would be involved in academic administration and all that it entailed (including fundraising, donor relations, and beyond). But when I was asked to take on the president role in 2013, I was honored to do so, and I have been blessed to serve in this way for the last 12 years.
However, when Larry Hurtado passed away in 2019, it sparked a moment of reflection in me, and I began to realize that my passions really are (and have always been) about doing research and writing in the field of Christian origins. That’s not only what excites me the most, but where I think I can make the most lasting contribution to both the academy and the church.
For the last few years, I have continued to reflect upon this issue, and I finally decided it was time to make a change and return again to my first love. I approached Ligon Duncan and the RTS administration about my desires and they were wonderfully receptive and have worked hard to make this new position happen. I am so grateful.
So, I am excited to announce that as of June 1st, I will become the Samuel C. Patterson Chancellor’s Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity. This will be a full-time post that will allow me to teach at multiple campuses across the RTS system (though I will continue to teach my two core classes in Charlotte) with a special focus on research and writing.
As I look forward to my new position, I also look back on my role as president with tremendous gratitude. God has done special things here in Charlotte. Over the last twelve years, RTS Charlotte has sent out more graduates into ministry than ever before. We have reached record highs in enrollment, started a new degree program in biblical counseling, launched the Center for Church Planting, raised essential funds for campus improvement, and gathered one of the finest faculties in the country. We now have alumni serving Christ on every inhabitable continent around the globe.
With the Charlotte campus in such a healthy place, it is thrilling for me, as a biblical scholar, to focus again on my academic passions. I have many projects in the hopper that I am excited to share with you in the months and years to come. Stay tuned!
In the meantime, here is the official RTS announcement released today:
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Dr. Michael Kruger Appointed Chancellor’s Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) is pleased to announce that Dr. Michael J. Kruger has been appointed the Samuel C. Patterson Chancellor’s Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity, effective June 1, 2025. After twelve years of dedicated service as President of RTS Charlotte, Dr. Kruger will transition from his administrative role to focus on teaching, research, and writing.
As Chancellor’s Professor, Dr. Kruger will serve as a full-time faculty member, teaching at multiple RTS campuses while continuing his significant contributions to biblical scholarship. A leading authority in the study of the New Testament, particularly the development of the New Testament canon, Dr. Kruger has authored fourteen books and is widely recognized for his work on the trustworthiness and reliability of Scripture. Beyond his work at the Charlotte campus, Dr. Kruger has served as president of the Evangelical Theological Society, the largest society of evangelical scholars in the world, and was recently selected to be one of the inaugural fellows for the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics.
RTS Chancellor and CEO Dr. J. Ligon Duncan expressed his appreciation for Dr. Kruger’s leadership at RTS Charlotte. “I cannot overstate Dr. Kruger’s impact on RTS Charlotte. Under his leadership, the campus has flourished, growing in depth, reach, and academic strength. His faithfulness in shepherding students and faculty has been remarkable. When he came to me with a desire to return to his scholarly passions, I was thrilled to find a way for him to continue to serve RTS in an expanded academic role. His teaching and scholarship will bless not only RTS Charlotte but all of our campuses.”
Reflecting on his transition, Dr. Kruger shared, “It’s been an honor to serve as president these last twelve years, but I am beyond excited to have more time to devote to research, writing, and teaching. With the Charlotte campus in such a healthy place, I decided it was time to focus again on my academic passions, particularly the trustworthiness and reliability of Scripture. When I shared this desire with Ligon Duncan and the RTS administration, they graciously made way for me to serve RTS in this new role—the dream job I always hoped for.”
Dr. Robert Cara, RTS Provost, also affirmed Dr. Kruger’s new role, stating, “An RTS Chancellor Professor is one who is assigned to teach at multiple RTS campuses. I am excited to have Dr. Kruger continue teaching courses at RTS Charlotte but also to teach regularly at other RTS campuses. His dynamic teaching style informed by his significant scholarship has been and will be a blessing to students.”
RTS leadership is prayerfully considering the next President of RTS Charlotte and remains confident in the Lord’s provision for this vital role.