Harold Hoehner
Encyclopedia
Harold Walter Hoehner was an American biblical scholar who served as distinguished professor of New Testament
studies at Dallas Theological Seminary
.
to Walter and Mary (née Siegel) Hoehner, farmers of Swiss and German descent, respectively. He earned his B.A. (1958) from Barrington College
, his Th.M. (1962) and Th.D. (1965) from Dallas Theological Seminary, and his Ph.D. (1968) from Cambridge University; he also did postdoctoral study at Tübingen University and Cambridge University. Hoehner married Virginia (Gini) Bryan on June 7 1958, with whom he had four children (Stephen, Susan, David, and Deborah).
(1991), the update of the New American Standard Bible
(1995), the English Standard Version
(2001), the second edition of the New Living Translation
(2004), and the first edition of the NET Bible (2005). He was a member of the Society of Biblical Literature
, the Evangelical Theological Society
, Institute for Biblical Research
, the Society for New Testament Studies, and the board of directors for Jews for Jesus
.
. His doctoral dissertation on Herod Antipas
was published by Cambridge University Press
(1972, ISBN 9780521081320), and continues to be a standard work on the subject. His publication Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ (1978, ISBN 9780310262114) is often cited in attempts to affix a date to the crucifixion of Jesus
, as well as understanding the seventy weeks of Daniel
. His "magnum opus", Ephesians
: An Exegetical Commentary (2002, ISBN 9780801026140), called by Craig Blomberg
"one of the most prodigious efforts by an individual New Testament scholars in recent times", is noted for its lengthy defense of the epistle's Pauline authorship
.
after a morning run on February 12 2009. Among the colleagues and former students contributing to his Festschrift
, Interpreting the New Testament Text: Introduction to the Art and Science of Exegesis (2006, ISBN 1581344082), were Darrell Bock
, Daniel B. Wallace
, E. Earle Ellis
, I. Howard Marshall
, and Edwin M. Yamauchi
.
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
studies at Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas Theological Seminary is an evangelical theological seminary located in Dallas, Texas. It is known for popularizing the theological system known as Dispensationalism...
.
Family and education
Hoehner was born in Sangerfield, New YorkSangerfield, New York
Sangerfield is a town in Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 2,610 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Jedediah Sanger, an early settler.The Town of Sangerfield is on the county's south border.-Geography:...
to Walter and Mary (née Siegel) Hoehner, farmers of Swiss and German descent, respectively. He earned his B.A. (1958) from Barrington College
Barrington College
Barrington College was a four-year Christian liberal arts college located in Barrington, Rhode Island. It is no longer in operation.-History:...
, his Th.M. (1962) and Th.D. (1965) from Dallas Theological Seminary, and his Ph.D. (1968) from Cambridge University; he also did postdoctoral study at Tübingen University and Cambridge University. Hoehner married Virginia (Gini) Bryan on June 7 1958, with whom he had four children (Stephen, Susan, David, and Deborah).
Career
Hoehner joined the faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary in 1968 as an instructor, becoming an assistant professor there the same year. In 1973 he became associate professor of New Testament, and professor of New Testament and chairman of New Testament and Bible Exposition in 1977. He became distinguished professor of New Testament studies in 1999. He served as director of Ph.D. studies from 1975 until 2002. During his tenure, he had a significant influence on the seminary's approach to teaching biblical exegesis, and became well known for his work on biblical chronology. Hoehner also committed a major portion of his later years as a Bible translator, serving on the translation or review teams for the revision of the New Century VersionNew Century Version
The New Century Version of the Bible is a revision of the International Children's Bible. The ICB was aimed at young readers and those with low reading skills/limited vocabulary in English. It is written at a 3rd grade level and is both conservative and evangelical in tone. The New Testament was...
(1991), the update of the New American Standard Bible
New American Standard Bible
The New American Standard Bible , also informally called New American Standard Version , is an English translation of the Bible....
(1995), the English Standard Version
English Standard Version
The English Standard Version is an English translation of the Christian Bible. It is a revision of the 1971 edition of the Revised Standard Version...
(2001), the second edition of the New Living Translation
New Living Translation
The New Living Translation is a translation of the Bible into modern English. Originally starting out as an effort to revise The Living Bible, the project evolved into a new English translation from Hebrew and Greek texts...
(2004), and the first edition of the NET Bible (2005). He was a member of the Society of Biblical Literature
Society of Biblical Literature
The Society of Biblical Literature, founded 1880, is a constituent society of the American Council of Learned Societies , with the stated mission to "Foster Biblical Scholarship"...
, the Evangelical Theological Society
Evangelical Theological Society
The Evangelical Theological Society is a professional society of Biblical scholars, educators, pastors, and students with the stated purpose of serving Jesus and his church by advancing evangelical scholarship. It was established in 1949 in Cincinnati. The number of members in 2005 was over 4,200...
, Institute for Biblical Research
Institute for Biblical Research
The Institute for Biblical Research established in 1973 is an academic scholarly organisation with the goals of "fostering the study of Scripture within an evangelical context, establishing facilities for the furtherance of biblical studies, and encouraging university and college students toward a...
, the Society for New Testament Studies, and the board of directors for Jews for Jesus
Jews for Jesus
Jews for Jesus is a conservative, Christian evangelical organization that focuses on the conversion of Jews to Christianity. Its members consider themselves to be Jews – either as defined by Jewish law, or as according to the view of Jews for Jesus. Jews for Jesus defines “Jewish” in terms of...
.
Publications
Hoehner wrote for several scholarly journals, including more than thirty articles for Bibliotheca SacraBibliotheca Sacra
Bibliotheca Sacra is the theological journal published by Dallas Theological Seminary. First published in 1844, it is the oldest theological journal in the United States. It originally was published by Union Theological Seminary in 1843, moved to Andover Theological Seminary in 1844, to Oberlin...
. His doctoral dissertation on Herod Antipas
Herod Antipas
Herod Antipater , known by the nickname Antipas, was a 1st-century AD ruler of Galilee and Perea, who bore the title of tetrarch...
was published by Cambridge University Press
Cambridge University Press
Cambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by Henry VIII in 1534, it is the world's oldest publishing house, and the second largest university press in the world...
(1972, ISBN 9780521081320), and continues to be a standard work on the subject. His publication Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ (1978, ISBN 9780310262114) is often cited in attempts to affix a date to the crucifixion of Jesus
Crucifixion of Jesus
The crucifixion of Jesus and his ensuing death is an event that occurred during the 1st century AD. Jesus, who Christians believe is the Son of God as well as the Messiah, was arrested, tried, and sentenced by Pontius Pilate to be scourged, and finally executed on a cross...
, as well as understanding the seventy weeks of Daniel
Prophecy of Seventy Weeks
The Prophecy of Seventy Septets appears in the angel Gabriel's reply to Daniel, beginning with verse 22 and ending with verse 27 in the ninth chapter of the Book of Daniel, a work included in both the Jewish Tanakh and the Christian Bible; as well as the Septuagint...
. His "magnum opus", Ephesians
Epistle to the Ephesians
The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians, often shortened to Ephesians, is the tenth book of the New Testament. Its authorship has traditionally been credited to Paul, but it is considered by some scholars to be "deutero-Pauline," that is, written in Paul's name by a later author strongly influenced by...
: An Exegetical Commentary (2002, ISBN 9780801026140), called by Craig Blomberg
Craig Blomberg
Craig L. Blomberg is an American New Testament scholar. Since 1986 he has been Distinguished Professor of the New Testament at Denver Seminary in Colorado.-Life:...
"one of the most prodigious efforts by an individual New Testament scholars in recent times", is noted for its lengthy defense of the epistle's Pauline authorship
Authorship of the Pauline epistles
The Pauline epistles are the fourteen books in the New Testament traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle, although many dispute the anonymous Epistle to the Hebrews as being a Pauline epistle....
.
Death and legacy
Hoehner died at the age of 74 in his home in Dallas, TexasDallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
after a morning run on February 12 2009. Among the colleagues and former students contributing to his Festschrift
Festschrift
In academia, a Festschrift , is a book honoring a respected person, especially an academic, and presented during his or her lifetime. The term, borrowed from German, could be translated as celebration publication or celebratory writing...
, Interpreting the New Testament Text: Introduction to the Art and Science of Exegesis (2006, ISBN 1581344082), were Darrell Bock
Darrell Bock
Darrell L. Bock is a New Testament scholar and research professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, United States...
, Daniel B. Wallace
Daniel B. Wallace
Daniel Baird Wallace is a professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary where he has been tenured since 1995. He is also the founder of the Center of the Study of NT Manuscripts....
, E. Earle Ellis
E. Earle Ellis
E. Earle Ellis was a North American Biblical scholar. Ellis served as Research Professor of Theology Emeritus at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas joining the institution in 1985.-Early life:...
, I. Howard Marshall
I. Howard Marshall
Ian Howard Marshall is Professor Emeritus of New Testament Exegesis and honorary research professor at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, specifically in the department of Divinity and Religious Studies...
, and Edwin M. Yamauchi
Edwin M. Yamauchi
Dr. Edwin Maseo Yamauchi is a Japanese American historian, Christian apologist, editor and academic. He is Professor Emeritus of History at Miami University, where he taught from 1969 until 2005...
.