Ronald A. Piper

Professor of Christian Origins

Ronald Piper currently holds two positions: Professor of Christian Origins in the Divinity School, and University Vice-Principal for Governance and Planning.

Within the School of Divinity, his main responsibilities are the pursuit of his research interests.

For his duties in the University administration, see his entry on the Office of the Principal page.

Research interests

His primary research interests have been in the field of the gospels. His initial work focused upon the development of the early traditions about Jesus, and particularly the pre-gospel traditions in the hypothetical sayings source 'Q'. Having produced a number of essays more widely in the synoptic gospels, however, he is at present working on John's gospel and is bringing to completion a monograph on the portrayal of evil in the Fourth Gospel.

Education and career

B.A. in Physics; Pomona College, Claremont, California

B.D. University of London (external)

Ph.D. in New Testament; University of London (King's College)

Lecturer in New Testament Language & Literature, University of St Andrews, 1980-92; Reader, 1992-97; Professor of Christian Origins, 1997 - present

Head of School of Divinity and Principal of St Mary's College; University of St Andrews; 1992-2001

Dean of Faculty of Divinity; University of St Andrews; 2001-02

Research Fellow of the Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton, New Jersey; 2002-03

University Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching); University of St Andrews; 2003-2007

University Vice-Principal (Governance & Planning); University of St Andrews; 2007 - present

Professional Memberships

British New Testament Society (Secretary from 1990-93)

Society of Biblical Literature (Chair of Q Section from 1999-2001)

Context Group: A Project on the Bible and its Socio-Cultural Environment

Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas (Assistant Secretary from 2000 to present)

Publications

Books

• Wisdom in the Q-tradition. The Aphoristic Teaching of Jesus, Society of New Testament Studies Monograph Series 61 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989), 325 pages.
• The Gospel Behind the Gospels. Current Studies on Q (Ed.), Supplements to Novum Testamentum, Vol 75 (Leiden: E.J. Brill Publishers, 1995), 412 + xii pages.
• P.F. Esler and R. A. Piper, Lazarus, Mary & Martha: A Social-Scientific and Theological Reading of John's Gospel (London: SCM Press / Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2006), 201 + vi pages.

Recent articles and contributions to books

• 'The Characterisation of Pilate and the Death of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel' in G. van Belle (ed.), The Death of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel, BETL 200 (Leuven: Peeters/Leuven University Press, 2007), 121-162.
• 'Brokering Access to God: Reformed Perspectives and Contemporary Study of the Historical Jesus' in W.M. Alston and M. Welker (eds.), Reformed Theology. Identity and Ecumenicity II: Biblical Interpretation in the Reformed Tradition (Grand Rapids & Cambridge, Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2007), 304-330.
• 'The One, the Four and the Many' in M. Bockmuehl & D. Hagner (eds.), The Written Gospel (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005), 254-273.
• 'Jesus and the Conflict of Powers in Q: Two Q Miracle Stories' in A. Lindemann (ed.), The Sayings Source Q and the Historical Jesus, BETL 158 (Leuven: Peeters/Leuven University Press, 2001), 317-349.
• 'Glory, Honor and Patronage in the Fourth Gospel: Understanding the Doxa Given to Disciples in John 17' in J. Pilch (ed.), Social Science Models for Interpreting the Bible: Essays by the Context Group in Honor of Bruce J. Malina, Biblical Interpretation Series 53 (Leiden: E.J. Brill Publishers, 2001), 281-309.
• 'Wealth, Poverty and Subsistence in Q' in J. Asgeirsson, K. de Troyer, M.W. Meyer (eds.), From Quest to Q: Festschrift for James M. Robinson, BETL 146 (Leuven: Peeters/Leuven University Press, 2000), 219-264.
• 'Satan, Demons and the Absence of Exorcisms in the Fourth Gospel' in D. Horrell & C.M. Tuckett (eds.), Christology, Controversy and Community: New Testament Essays in Honour of David R. Catchpole, Supplements to Novum Testamentum 99 (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 2000), 253-278.
• 'The Language of Violence and the Aphoristic Sayings in Q: A Study of Q 6:27-36' in J. S. Kloppenborg (ed.), Conflict and Intervention. Literary, Rhetorical, and Social Studies on the Sayings Gospel Q (Trinity Press International, 1996) pp. 54-73.
• 'In Quest of Q. The Direction of Q Studies' in R. A. Piper (ed.), The Gospel Behind the Gospels. Current Studies on Q , Supplements to Novum Testamentum 75 (Leiden: E.J. Brill Publishers, 1995), pp. 1-18.
• 'Matthew 7,7-11 par. Luke 11,9-13. Evidence of Design and Argument in the Collection of Jesus' Sayings' in J. S. Kloppenborg (ed.), The Shape of Q. Signal Essays on the Sayings Gospel (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1993) 131-137; originally published in J. Delobel (ed.), Logia. Les Paroles de Jésus--The Sayings of Jesus. Mémorial Joseph Coppens (BETL 59; Leuven, 1982), 411-418.
• 'Social Background and Thematic Structure in Luke 16' in F. Van Segbroeck et al eds.), The Four Gospels 1992. Festschrift for Frans Neirynck, BETL 100, 3 vols. (Leuven: Leuven University Press & Peeters, 1992), 1637-1662.