Rev. Dr. David R. Maxwell

Dr. David R. Maxwell is the Louis A. Fincke and Anna B. Shine Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

A faculty member since 2004, he is professor of Systematic Theology and chairman of the Department of Systematic Theology. He received his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. (2003); a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) from Concordia Seminary (1995, 1997); a Master of Arts (M.A.) from Washington University in St. Louis (1995); and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from the University of Texas in Austin (1991). He was ordained at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elkhart, Ind. (2003).

At the Seminary, he teaches courses in systematic theology, patristics, history of exegesis and Latin. His primary research interest is the early church, particularly the Christological controversies of the fourth through sixth centuries. He also works in the field of patristic exegesis and recently produced a translation of Cyril of Alexandria’s Commentary on John (InterVarsity Press) as well as Cyril of Alexandria’s commentaries on Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians and Hebrews (InterVarsity Press). This translation work has led also to an interest in active Greek pedagogy, in which students learn not only to read but also listen to and speak koine Greek. He hosts a weekly online Greek discussion group which is carried out entirely in Greek.

He has delivered a number of presentations on Lutheran identity, both in the United States and in Indonesia. He plays the organ regularly in church and at the Seminary. In conjunction with playing the organ, he has written on the theological symbolism in the organ music of J.S. Bach, particularly Bach’s “Clavierübung III,” which is based largely on Luther’s catechism hymns. More recently, he has produced organ videos on this topic, which may be found on concordiatheology.org.

Interests:

Christology
History of exegesis
Cyril of Alexandria